Healthy Eating Scholarship

Since I was young, I have always been a very busy person. I did everything as a child. I was on a baseball team, in the band, and even a competitive gymnast. I would get picked up from one rehearsal and immediately go to the next. This never left much time for meals. We would go to a drive-through or have a microwaved mac and cheese cup at the ready. I never really thought much about it and my very active lifestyle and quick metabolism combatted it for the most part. That has changed as I have become a young adult. As a student pursuing a theatre degree, I have been told over and over again that my body is my instrument. Just like if a violinist has an out-of-tune violin, if my body is out of tune, I will not be able to accomplish what I need to. It took me a bit to realize that keeping my body ready to perform starts with what I consume. It can be difficult to control what you eat as a college student, especially if you are at the will of your dining hall. However, I do not think that healthy eating habits are only what you eat. For a long time, I did not eat at consistent times or even a consistent amount. There would be days when I would only eat one meal and there would be days when I would eat way more than my body needed or wanted. First and foremost, I believe it is important to make sure you are consistently eating at least two meals a day if not three. Once I began making sure I ate lunch and dinner every day, no matter my schedule, I noticed I had more energy. I experienced fewer headaches and grogginess. Then I began examining what food I was eating and made a lot of realizations. This summer, I am living away from home for an internship and am responsible for preparing my own meals. I have been able to make sure that I am buying and making foods that have enough protein and healthy carbs. For the first time ever, I look at nutrition labels before purchasing food. I recognize that I was consuming too much fat and eating foods with empty calories when I was not even hungry. I have switched to snacking on foods like whole grain crackers and hummus instead of chocolates or Cheez-Its. I have noticed that I have more energy to do things I enjoy, like going out with friends or even exercising, which has had a huge benefit on both my physical and mental health. I find that I am more focused throughout the day. I feel less bloated after eating and overall am healing my relationship with my body. As the start of the school year comes closer, I am excited to see how putting more effort into healthy eating habits throughout the school year will help me become a better student and artist.

It's important to pick up healthy eating habits, because having a healthy regimen helps to ensure longevity. In other words, when we consume nutritious foods, it guarantees that we can live a long, fulfilling life. In fact, my great-grandmother is going to be 93 years old this year. Despite navigating dementia with her since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, she has done remarkably well with her physical health for all her life. That has inspired me to keep valuing healthy eating habits, because I want to manifest in the best life possible for myself. When I was a little girl, I was a picky eater. However, learning about healthy eating habits early on encouraged me to try new foods and acquire more essential habits. Eating healthy is not only vital for your physical health, but also for your mental health as well. It's easy to say that I have learned that from my own experience. When I practice healthy eating habits, I notice that I am more energetic, alert, and less tired. In regards to my mental health, I am more confident, not as nervous, less confused, and have a higher attention span. This is because I am getting the nutrients I need, in order for my body to function properly. Another thing I sense in myself is a higher level of motivation. That means I feel more driven, determined, productive, and accomplished. It gives me a want and an urge to get things done in my life. To sum it up, it encourages me to keep going, because I have more energy and stimulation. I have a family history of Type 2 Diabetes on my mother's side. Her and my great-grandma told me that my great-grandpa Edward delt with diabetes and heart attacks. Unfortunately, his health was deteriorating and he ended up passing away from a heart attack. That is another factor that has contributed to me wanting the best for my health. In addition, I am also very spiritual. That has me firmly believing that you should always nourish and take care of your body. I took Human Nutrition last spring as one of my dual-enrollment classes. It taught me the importance of how eating healthy can come a long way. I remember learning about Blue Zones, where it was about people in different regions of the world that live a completely different lifestyle than me. Even that, has reminded me to make some changes. The key is if you eat healthy, you may live forever.