As National Nutrition Month begins, many students at Del Mar say they want to improve their food choices, but busy schedules, cravings and limited options can make that goal difficult. Many students struggle with poor food choices, and these habits can impact their energy and focus in school.
Nathaniel Alexander Padilla Valdez, a freshman, shares his thoughts on eating healthy and how it fits into his lifestyle.
“It can be hard to eat healthy, sometimes because unhealthy food is more convenient, but it can get easier with practice,” says Valdez.
Nutrition plays an important role in his lifestyle by helping him stay active, feel better and have more energy. He focuses on eating balanced meals and drinking more water, but one challenge he faces is craving junk food and not always choosing healthy options.
“My daily routine affects how I eat because when I am busy or tired, I’m more likely to choose fast or unhealthy foods,” says Valdez.
One of his goals this month is to eat more balanced meals and include more fruit and vegetables in his diet. He works toward these goals by making small changes and paying more attention to what he eats. He says these habits help him stay healthy and maintain his energy throughout the day.
“The biggest barrier is consistency and habits. People often know what to eat, but it’s hard to stick with it every day,” says Valdez.
Valdez says he has learned that small changes can improve his nutrition over time. Strategies that have helped him include meal prepping, drinking more water and staying consistent.
“I would add that balance is important to eating healthy. Eating healthy doesn’t mean being perfect at all times,” says Valdez.
Senior Karmaa Sogbeh shares how nutrition fits into her daily life, along with her plans to improve her diet.
Nutrition fits into Sogbeh’s lifestyle by supporting her physical activity, such as exercising or walking, and helping her maintain her overall health. She plans to work out more and eat more balanced meals.
“When you haven’t eaten something sweet in a long time, you eat it, but then you want some more, which isn’t good because you can overindulge,” says Sogbeh.
By considering other people’s perspectives on eating habits and lifestyles, Sogebeh reflects on how she can avoid situations that encourage unhealthy choices. She says these choices can negatively affect her health and energy levels.
“These goals are important to me because I like to feel good, especially in my own body and in my own space,” says Sogbeh, “I’ve learned that you don’t have to follow everyone’s own routine on how they workout. You can start off slowly and go with the flow until you feel right.”
While challenges remain, students say small changes—such as drinking more water, planning meals, and choosing balanced options—can make healthier eating feel more manageable over time.
