by John Oystein

Created on: September 01, 2009   Last Updated: September 02, 2009

An active brain requires clean fuel to operate properly. Unfortunately, many college students, especially freshmen, seek the easy route and load their engine on the dirty fuel, caffeine and sugar, and they'll pay the price. A sugar and caffeine diet clogs the body's engine, leading to weight gain and diminished ability.

Clean fuel is a properly balanced diet, following the food pyramid, rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, with little fatty foods and sweets. The physical engine needs its own maintenance, in adequate exercise and rest. The sugar and the caffeine are poor substitutes for real food.

Students can get proper nutrition, and at an affordable cost. The simplest method is to take proper advantage of their meal plans. School cafeterias offer a large collection of balanced meals. Almost always they will boast of a healthy living side bar and salad bars. Unfortunately, they also offer a lot of junk food. Remember, moderation and balance are the keys to healthy eating.

When eating out, avoid the high-cost, and highly unhealthy, fast food options. Many fast food offerings are unhealthy, and will become expensive quickly. Of course, most franchises are offering healthier options, some of which really are healthy. Subway is an operation that regularly promotes itself as the healthy choice, but they're not perfect either. But again, look over the menus, and think before you eat. Again, moderation and balance are the key.

Preparing your own food is probably the best option. The best meals don't need to be expensive. Fresh fruits and vegetables, along with wholegrain breads, can be stretched a long way.

With a blender, a fruit smoothie makes an excellent breakfast. Fresh fruits like oranges, strawberries, bananas, and berries can last for a long time if they're properly refrigerated.

Equally vital to a healthy diet are fresh vegetables. The author found the pre-bagged mixed salads an especially useful addition to his diet plans. They were easy to prepare, and with a glass of tea and a cheese and crackers, they made an easy dinner. He lost 15 pounds one semester subsisting on fruit smoothies and salads. (Ironically, he switched to this diet plan because he didn't want to leave his dorm room, because he was busy cruising America Online chat rooms, looking for girls.)

Meat is much more difficult to store, but canned tuna is a good option. It's healthier than most canned fish, and isn't as offensive in the trash can. (The author's roommates disliked his taste for sardines in mustard sauce.)

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