Don't forget your lunch!

By Britta Miller

November 9, 2020

Image Credit:  Charissa Zhu (@foodbycharissa)

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what about lunch? We spend so much time during the day in class or running errands that it can be easy to miss this mid-day meal. 

Student schedules vary in their times; some students may not even start class until 2 p.m. This gives many students the option to sleep until noon or later - as many students do -  and miss lunch. 

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Emily Fultz runs her own private practice, Fit with Food, LLC, where she provides services like counseling, meal planning, coaching and seminars/presentations. 

“Skipping lunch can prevent us from attaining adequate nutrients for the day, lead us to overeat later in the day, leave us irritable, confused, fatigued, and not to mention hangry,” said Fultz.

Sophomore general biology major Micah Kranzel eats lunch regularly. In fact, his lunch routine is so regular that he eats the same lunch nearly every day: a turkey sandwich. 

“I eat the same lunch everyday because it’s comforting to know I’m going to be the same amount of full and enjoy the food the same amount everyday,” Kranzel said. 

This kind of eating plan can be helpful for creating normalcy in your diet.

“It may also be helpful to prep your meals in advance,” said Fultz, “If lunch is already in the fridge ready to go, then you’ll be more likely to eat it.”

Junior communications major McKenzie Fagan says she usually combines breakfast and lunch because she wakes up late, but are there any students who combine their lunch and dinner?

Junior criminology and criminal justice major Maddy Small has what she calls a “linner.” She has a late lunch around the time when most people would typically be having dinner. 

“I do this usually because I’m not working out as much and dont feel the urgency to eat more calories,” Small said. 

Fultz says that lunch gives us an extra boost of energy that we need for the day. As busy college students, making sure you get proper nutrients during the day is essential. Fuel up!