Stay Healthy to Perform Better

Moving out of home for a job or higher studies is quite a challenge. Maintain a healthy diet schedule for optimum performance and happiness

Shobhit, a young and dynamic 18-year old boy from a small district town of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh had dreams of becoming a journalist for which he left his home town and took admission in a University in Bhopal. Shobhit never had any health issues and was only looking forward to a bright future and good education. But one semester in Bhopal, away from home and Shobhit was not as active as he used to be and found his enthusiasm fading away. On visiting a doctor, he found that he had shed an astonishing eight kilograms of body weight and had fatigue and loss of appetite. Now he is in a private hospital for treatment and is missing college.

Mahendra Garwa, 22, had no idea that he would have to forego the opportunity of a lifetime just because he was too busy to take care of himself. Mahendra spent two months in Delhi looking for a job and eventually when he did get a job with a famous advertising agency, he discovered that he was afflicted with jaundice. Mahendra had to go back to his home in Rajasthan to recuperate.

These are not just stories of two youth but this is a grave problem that has surrounded young India but does not attract enough attention. Young people from small towns have to come to big cities, be it for jobs or higher education. And they get so carried away that they ignore their health and later pay for it by losing precious time in bed recovering from diseases.

“I never thought this could happen to me. I was so absorbed in my work that I found little time to take note of my eating habits. All my day would pass on coke and snacks. There was no time to cook food. So I used to eat at restaurants and sometimes at dhabas in the evening. Such food habits finally took toll on my body and I found myself back to square one,” laments Mahendra. He further adds, “But now I realise that health is more important than any other thing. Unless I am physically fit, I cannot be productive at work. I now have a maid who cooks for me and I never eat street food. I visit only hygienic and good restaurants with my friends during weekends and always carry a water bottle with me.”

Expert Opinion
Dr Ritika Samaddar, Head of Department of Dietetics at Max super specialty hospital in New Delhi, says “Young people who eat outside develop deficiencies of iron and calcium and usually face gastrointestinal problems due to erratic eating habits. Milk should ideally be an important part of daily diet. The problems faced by young girls could be serious and they should make sure that they take a balanced diet.”

So, if you are one of those who are looking to pack the bags and station at a new city for a new job or higher education, here are a few tips that will keep you in maintaining health and productivity:

• Never ignore the breakfast. It should be the right mix of nutrients that can keep you running throughout the day even if you miss the lunch.
• A lot of ready to eat cereals are available in market these days. These should find a place in your plate.
• Fruits are always healthy and a good source of nutrition. Even when eating outside, try to go for green vegetables.
• Avoid oily food as it is neither energetic nor is it healthy.

Unusual eating habits can also have long term terrible effects on body. Hypertension, diabetes, stomach related problems are due to unhealthy food.

Dr Samaddar has a word of advice for youth, “There is nothing like good food or bad food. Don’t fall prey to advertisements and neither avoid nor overdo any kind of food. Moderation of eating habits will keep you healthy. There is no harm in eating junk food or eating outside once in a while but there is no substitute for proper and healthy diet. Hygiene must be maintained at all costs.”

So eat healthy and stay fit and the world is yours. After all, health is wealth.