Help me fuel my day (Read 736 times)

Life has gotten crazy and I don't feel I am eating right. I'm in college, a music major. Those of you that have been or have ever known music majors know that it is a "never sleep" major. I'm trying really hard to eat right and get in some exercise but I haven't figured out the right balance. Give me some ideas. Here is an example of my typical day (this was today): 6:30am - wake up get ready, eat breakfast (today this was a multi-grain bagel, with nothing on it... sometimes breakfast is Cheerios and a banana). I also have around 1.5-2 cups of coffee (with fat free half and half, and a little Splenda). 7:45ish - at school warming up (it's a brass player thing, I guess) 8:30 - noon - I'm in classes. Noon - lunch. Today: roast beef and provolone on whole wheat bread, raw broc and carrots, a cup of fat free yogurt. Water. I drink a lot of water. after lunch, I am in classes, rehearsals, practicing, or studying until about 8:30pm. I eat dinner at 6pm... tonight it was a cup of Easy Mac, some kidney beans, and some yogurt. And a diet coke to wake me up before rehearsal. (On other days I typically eat a lot of white rice... I know, no nutritional value, I just love white rice. I have a wicked sweet tooth too, especially after coming home from a long day). Unfortunately, the only time I can make it to the gym is 9pm, after a day of go-go-go-go-go. I just don't feel up to it half the time, but I force myself. Though tonight, I just didn't feel good by the time I made it to the gym. Maybe the culmination of a really long week. But I really feel like I could be fueling myself for my lifestyle a lot better. Waking up at 6:30 and getting home at 10:30 or 11:00 is going to start taking its toll. Any suggestions? What should I eat more or less of? I want to feel better. Should I snack more and make less of my meals??? Any specific recipes or ideas for me? Easy is good, time is not on my side. Plus things must be packed, as only a few nights of the week I can actually eat at home. I hope this post makes sense, I'm pretty tired. Please let me know what you think I should do...

We need a little more information, (trying to loose weight? run faster? run longer?) From the meals you described, it does not sound too bad. Stay away from processed foods, (mac and cheese) and cut out the diet soda and splenda. You will notice a difference just by getting rid of that crap.

I would like to lose a little weight (and thus run faster). I'm not overweight, but I'm not in the greatest shape right now. I've definitely packed on a few extra pounds. I think on some days I eat too much of the same kind of food - crackers, bread, rice, bagel... Thanks, Go PRE

And. Of course. Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/magazine/28nutritionism.t.html

....got my BA & MA in music comp in 1998 & 2000 - it truly is the major that never allows for sleep....

You eat way better than I did in college. I hated the cafeteria food and ate a lot of top ramen.

So you eat at 630, noon and six. Do you have any snacks in between? It's good to eat well at meals, but if you find your energy level sagging between meals, a small snack might help pick you up. Some days you might just be worn out and that's not necessarily your diet. That's just life when you are on the go for so many hours.

I think snacks are a problem. I don't typically feel hungry between meals, or I ignore it. I need to fix this.

Actually, this week I completely went without any diet coke or coffee. I had only water. Once I finally get in bed, I sleep fine.

I think Jake has a point in terms of waking earlier. Okay, breakfast...bagels are bad. Try toast with peanut butter and sliced banana. Lunch sounds good. Is there any lettuce and tomato? What about something on the bread? Hummus would be really good. The yogurt is a great addition! As for dinner, trade in the easy mac for some rice and along with the beans, you have a good source of protein. Or a cup of soup, just be cautious of the sodium. I'm assuming you don't really have a choice in the food since it sounds like you are not at home assembling everything. Someone suggested snacks. Even if you aren't feeling hungry, you still need to eat something. Try apple slices with peanut butter or celery sticks with hummus or even a pb and j sandwich. Sorry, I keep pushing peanut butter. I don't know about your college but I remember having tons of choices, from subway to hibachi to pizza to soup. Good luck.