Preet Sran is a passionate nursing student who aspires to work in the intensive care unit. She is interested in exploring public health, promoting equitable care and improving health outcomes.
Between late night cramming, back-to-back classes and trying to have a social life, food sometimes becomes an afterthought. Some days, I’d be too busy to eat, telling myself I’d grab something “later” (which never happened). I often would find myself running on caffeine and granola bars for the whole day, again. Add in the pressure to eat healthy and avoid the “Freshman 15,” and it’s no surprise that so many students struggle with inconsistent eating, from skipping meals to feeling out of control with food.
How university can mess with eating habits
Disordered eating isn’t always obvious. It’s not just about extreme dieting or eating disorders, it’s any irregular or stressful relationship with food that leaves you feeling guilty, anxious or out of control. A busy university life can make it easy to fall into bad habits.
For me, it was constantly skipping meals because I was “too busy” or trying to save money. For others, it can be bingeing on fast food after a long day, stress eating through midterms or promising to finally start going to the gym to “make up for it.” Maybe you tell yourself you’ll start eating better next semester, but somehow the cycle keeps repeating.
On top of that, living off of caffeine and granola bars isn’t exactly sustainable. When food becomes more about convenience than nourishment, it’s easy to ignore your body’s actual needs.
Signs you might not be eating enough
Disordered eating looks different for everyone, but some red flags include:
- skipping meals due to stress or guilt;
- binge eating or feeling out of control with food;
- obsessing over food, calories or exercise in a way that impacts daily life;
- feeling anxious about eating around others; and
- using food to cope with emotions, followed by guilt or shame.
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Breaking the cycle: What helps?
I learned the hard way that there’s no perfect fix. At first, I kept making promises to “eat better” but nothing changed until I started being honest with myself. I had to admit that skipping meals wasn’t just about being busy, it was about control. I told myself I didn’t have time but really, I was avoiding spending money, feeling guilty about certain foods or trying to make up for eating too much the day before. Once I saw the pattern for what it was, I could start breaking it.
A good place to start is asking yourself about your eating habits without guilt or pressure. Ask yourself: “Am I eating regularly?” “Am I avoiding certain foods out of fear?” “Do I feel guilty after eating?” Checking in with yourself can reveal habits that need attention.
If food has become a source of stress rather than something that fuels you, it might be time to reset. Your body needs nourishment, not conditions or rules. Small changes, like eating regularly, listening to your hunger and being a little kinder to yourself can make a big difference.
You’re not alone
Whether it’s opening up to a friend, family member or reaching out to York’s Student Counselling, Health & Well-being services, there are people who want to help. York offers free professional counselling tailored to student struggles, providing a space to talk about food, stress or anything else affecting your well-being.
For nutrition support, York has a registered dietitian who can help students build a healthier relationship with food. Residents of Ontario can also connect with a registered dietitian for free through Health 811 for expert advice on eating habits, meal planning and nutrition.
Above all, give yourself a break. You deserve to feel good, have energy and enjoy food without stress.