When most people think of the words “Healthy Eating” it is common for many to automatically think about flavorless salads, productsʻ staggering prices, and the inconvenience that it may cause. However, a healthy diet is the first step to a long and happy life. According to a Harvard Public Health article, located in the British Medical Journal, the healthiest diets only cost $1.50 more than the least healthiest diets and can provide consumers with the nutrients and vitamins that people need in order to sustain themselves.

As a student, it can be rather challenging to find healthy alternatives to incorporate into their lifestyle. Especially since majority of teenagers struggle with their own personal finances, managing their time, and the availability of healthy goods in their homes. So, to make it less challenging, I have provided a few easy alternatives (and their benefits) that can help the busy student improve their eating/drinking habits, their performances in and out of school, and their overall health.

1. Squeezing a slice of lemon into your water

With 70% of our bodies being made up of water and it being the primary necessity for human survival, it is no surprise that water is extremley good for you! However, to make water even better, you can add a little lemon juice into your glass. Lemon water is high in vitamin C, helps in preventing infection and disease, can improve athletic performance, can improve one’s mood, and is filled with antioxidant that protects your cells from damage. Making it an anti-cancer elixr!

1. Substitute kale chips for potato chips

Kale may not look like the most appetizing veggie out there but once it is marinated with organic extra virgin olive oil, lightly sprinkled with hawaiian sea salt, and baked in an oven for 8 minuets, it becomes the best chip alternative ever! While potato chips are high in fat and sodium which are not good for the heart and contains hydrogenated oils that cause cancer, kale chips not only taste good but also include high amounts of vitamins and minerals, can enhance one’s eyesight, and do the opposite from a potato chip and improve one’s heart health!

1. Drink Kombucha instead of Soda

Kombucha is a natural flavored carbonated drink packed with healthy B vitamins and probiotics that help in digesting food. In addition to that, unlike many sugary drinks (i.e. soda, energy drinks, caffeinated drinks, etc.) kombucha gives you balanced energy so, one doesn’t have to suffer from the inevitable sugary “crash”. Most sodas also contain 8-10 tsps of sugar in one can, averaging to about 33 grams of sugar while the maximum amount of sugar that humans should be consuming is 35 grams of sugar! If drinking more than one can and while taking into consideration the other sugars that you consume, this exceeds the daily max intake and attributes to illnesses such as heart disease, obesity, and osteoporosis (the weakening of bones). Also, the caramel coloring in soda is derived from ammonia which is a carcinogen that causes cancer.

If you do one or more of these simple things, you are well on your way to ensuring a long and healthy life!