Video by Stephanie Davoli
Timeline by Caleb Hooper
By Alexandra Holyk
Students say they’ve developed irregular eating habits with online classes — finding it difficult to squeeze a meal into their busy schedules.
Skipping meals or eating at irregular times throughout the day can decrease the body’s blood sugar, causing students to feel tired and “hangry,” according to Piedmont Healthcare.
Liam Shapiro, a second-year professional communication student at Ryerson University said he eats depending on his mood, whether that’s grabbing a snack or skipping a meal altogether.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that working more than 40 hours a week can put a time constraint on healthy eating among young adults. That and being in isolation in the midst of a pandemic can take a toll on regular eating habits, according to Maya Hey, a PhD candidate at Concordia University.
“Social ties are now replaced with food and eating as a chore,” said Hey. “But, because of that, it becomes an inconvenience.”
Shapiro mentioned that he usually wakes up around 12 p.m. — the time his classes are supposed to start — so he doesn’t eat a full breakfast. Instead of eating after class, he does “shit that (he wants) to do,” including socializing with his friends online. However, sometimes he’ll eat “a big ass dinner,” followed by a second meal.
TIMELINE: Students tend to go several hours before eating a proper meal because of online classes and other tasks they prioritize over food during the fall 2020 semester. (Caleb Hooper/JRN 270)
To better their eating habits, Piedmont Healthcare suggests planning meals in advance and opting for healthier snacks that are high in fibre. Hey added that students should also take time to “listen to their bodies” to determine their digestive needs.
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