Jake the student
Jake (18) is studying at Victoria University in Wellington. He lives in one of the student halls of residence that
provide all meals. However, he's not a big fan of the food they serve and sometimes mealtimes don't fit in with his schedule, so he'll often get fast-food or eat out. He attends the gym a few times a week and walks and bikes a lot around town. He's up early to get to lectures on time (if he's not hungover!) and is usually up late, either studying or partying. Exams start in a few weeks so he's making the most of going out as much as he can before it's time to knuckle down. He says his diet is pretty typical to everyone in a hall and they always eat as a group.
10am Rushed, need to get out the door now to make it on time to lecture. Have a big blue V. No morning tea, in lectures all morning.
1pm Still rushed, miss lunch at the hall. Have another big blue V.
2pm Hungry! Make an easy meal of instant packet mi goreng noodles.
7pm Skip the hall food and go out to a BYO Indian restaurant for a friend's birthday. Butter chicken, rice and naan bread and a half-bottle of wine.
9pm Getting ready for a night out in town, have four Pulse RTDs and a few shots.
Nadia Lim’s quick nutritional analysis
Unfortunately skipping meals, processed convenience snacks and far too much caffeine and alcohol are typical of first-year university students. There’s not really anything good going on in your diet. Start the habit of having at least something in your stomach in the morning, whether it’s just grabbing a banana or two (from the hall fruit bowl) as you head out the door — it will give you more energy than any “energy” drink, which is just full of sugar and empty calories. Give the instant noodles a miss too — they’re deep fried and provide almost a day’s worth of sodium (salt). And, I am sure you know this, but a gentle reminder never hurts — the guidelines for alcohol are no more than 3-4 standard drinks a day and you’re having about triple that!
