Drama students should eat well and stay healthy!

Photo Credit: Ricky Lam via cc

It’s very important that drama students learn to eat well and stay healthy, especially if studying long hours in the daytime and rehearsing in the evenings. This way of life will also prepare you for the life of a professional actor, who has to keep fit and healthy even if living on a small budget. It’s important to know that eating a healthy balanced diet not only helps us look and feel good, it helps us to stay in great condition.

It’s imperative that a drama student should eat well through out the day and not skip meals or starve themselves. Eating a nutritious well balanced diet will provide a student with many health benefits. As a full time student these benefits will include :

The benefits of a healthy balanced diet

Increased energy and stamina, very important for those long days of study and rehearsal.
Improved sleep and concentration. This will help you stay more alert in lectures and enable you to have a good nights sleep.
A positive impact on your mood and well-being. All actors need to have a positive outlook on life. This is helped if you are living a healthy way of life.
Helps you to maintain a healthy body weight. All drama students need to be in a good shape, even as professional actors we need to keep our weight down.
Lowers your risk of developing chronic health risks such as heart disease and cancer. The older we get the more our body is prone to health risks. Staying healthy when young will help us in our later years.

So what makes a healthy diet?

The nutrients we need for a healthy body and mind consist of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Knowing what these do for you and your body will help you stay healthy. The image below is the NHS ‘Eat Well Plate’. It shows the different types of food we need to eat and in what proportions. Following this simple plan will give you a well balanced and healthy diet.

Drama students should eat well and stay healthy

We have also provided you with some tips on saving money on your healthy week of shopping and still be able to eat well. We have been to drama school ourselves and have learnt the tricks on how to save money on those shopping bills.

Top tips for healthy meals on a student budget

Get organised

Get organised with some planning so that you can eat healthy meals on a student budget. Write a weekly shopping list that includes all the healthy foods that you will need. Also plan a menu list of your weekly meals.
Buy Store Brands

Buy the less expensive store brands instead of well-known ones. They’re so much cheaper and taste just as good. A top brand can of baked beans can cost around 95p in comparison to a home brand that costs around 25p.
Get cooking

Try and prepare your own meals rather than getting a takeaway or buying from the college cafeteria. It will be so much cheaper, healthier and a great social activity to do with housemates. If you have a morning off, prepare the weeks meals and freeze them.
5 a day

Try and eat 5 types of fruit and vegetables per day. A glass of fresh orange juice is one. An apple is another. A portion of broccoli will count as one also. They can be fresh, frozen or canned. They work out cheaper than popping vitamin pills too.
Canned Vegetables

Canned or frozen fruit and vegetables can be cheaper than fresh and just as healthy. They also contribute to your 5-a-day.
Reduced goods

Also check your supermarket on the way home in the evening as they reduce a whole range of goods. An ‘out of date’ product normally has another few days of shelf life in them. Look out for rolls for sandwiches, fruit for a packed lunch and any meat or goods that can be frozen.
Try the market

Shop locally and compare the prices. Local shops and markets can be cheaper than the supermarket, especially if you have to pay for a bus journey to get there. Many fruit stalls at your local market have £1 scoops. Look out for fruit, salad, vegetable or baking potato scoops. They can help you save a fortune.
Go Veggie

Vegetables are often cheaper than meat, so why not try cooking a few more veggie meals during the week. Vegetarian meals are also healthier for you and less in calories.
Portion Size

Your portion size is very important with regards to healthy eating, try not to eat more than you need and don’t stuff yourself before a movement class or lecture, it will only make you sluggish and sleepy.
Pasta the students best friend

Pasta is both filling and cheap. Go for whole-grain options if possible as it is a lot healthier for you. When cooking pasta for an evening meal, make a little extra and use it for a packed lunch for the next day.
Buy seasonal

Buy seasonal fruit and vegetables; they will be cheaper and can be frozen to eat later. Some fruits which are out of season can cost over £2. You could buy in bulk or the £1 scoops and split them with your housemates.
Packed Lunch

One way to save money is to take your own packed lunches and snacks for break times. It works out a lot cheaper, and you have control of what you eat. No hidden nasties like hidden fat or sugars.
Breakfast – most important meal of the day!

Always try and eat a good breakfast. Porridge is a great cheap and healthy choice. A half kilo bag of oats only costs around 60p and will last you a few weeks. They also release their energy slowly, perfect for those morning movement classes. A good breakfast also means you won’t be tempted to snack on junk later.
Share

One way to save money is to share your shop. Bulk buying and 2-4-1 deals can be a good buy if there is two of you to split the portions and the cost. You can also take it in turns to cook the evening meal, then you only have to worry about preparing a meal two to three times a week.
Student Cookbooks

There are some good student cookbooks on the market, they will contain some great recipes and money saving tips and ideas. Get prepared and buy one before term starts. Check Amazon Student Cookbooks for the latest best offers.