Being a health care professional can, at times, feel ironic because our intention is to promote health and wellness, yet we often neglect our own. As medical students, we consume large amounts of information in short periods of time, which can be both stressful and mentally strenuous. We often must be awake for long hours, whether it’s for rotations, for studying or for both at once. This lifestyle can foster many unhealthy habits, but are students to blame? Many of us are trying to cope with the stressors and competitive environment of medical school, all while trying our best to become good doctors for future patients. So, it’s ironic that we are learning how to be good providers and help people stay healthy, sometimes at the detriment of our own health.
Nutrition is a vital aspect of health and wellness that is often overlooked by medical students and the medical student curriculum alike. We often encounter situations that exemplify the incongruous nature that medical school can encourage. Celsius, Monster and Zyn are just a few brands of stimulants that we have noticed circulating throughout the college and hospital that can have negative health impacts. One day, a friend on her way to a small group session, mentioned she was on her second can of Celsius for the day. “I know it’s bad for me, but I really need to stay awake,” she explained. Students tend to acknowledge their poor eating habits but adopt them anyway to function. In another instance, a friend on her surgery rotation said she had been eating takeout every day for two weeks because she “had no time to cook.” It can be tempting to take the quick and easy route with food when our priority is this degree of educational development that demands so much of our time and attention. This article suggests there is an association between unhealthy diets and depression, stress, anxiety and a slew of other mental health issues.
Poor nutrition practices and medical school are correlated with mental health and medical concerns, trapping students in a vicious cycle, unless poor habits are actively exchanged for healthier ones. While scientific research aimed at the correlation between dietary habits, mental health and medical students in the United States is scarce, one study published in 2020 examined the dietary habits and nutritional status among medical students at three different universities in Cameroon. The study found a high prevalence of malnutrition of 29.4% based on BMI (4.9% underweight, 21.6% overweight and 3.0% obese) among second-year medical students at the three universities. It concluded that meal skipping, irregular meals, low fruit and vegetable consumption, high candy intake, high fried food intake and high alcohol intake were among the most frequent poor eating practices in this population. Even anecdotally as third-year medical students, we can recount instances in which colleagues in clinic ironically joke about how often they may not have eaten a substantial meal in several days or consume more alcohol and caffeine than they have fruits and vegetables.
One of the most impactful lessons learned in undergrad studying nutritional sciences is that “nutrition is medicine.” Nutrition serves as a powerful pillar for preventive care, not only a factor unique to the U.S., but the entire world. It is the one thing that all communities can have a vested interest in, especially the medical community. After discussing the very real irony of medical students not always prioritizing their mental, emotional or physical well-being, it is appropriate to begin to discuss the ways in which we can realistically make healthier decisions. Thinking of it as a way of supporting our bodies’ ability to support our patients may benefit our perspective. Realistic approaches to incorporate nutrition into overall wellbeing as medical students can range from simple habits such as eating with another person at least once per day to more complex nutritional wellness habits like mindful eating. It is important that medical students devote more of their attention to their own nutritional status.
Each day, we create new food memories. Thus, we may be able to recreate new comfort foods by associating health-supporting foods with enjoyable moments. Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of yourself and your surroundings. Applying this concept to mealtimes fosters a new appreciation for food and increases awareness of your body’s emotional and hunger cues. Some questions you may ask yourself while eating mindfully could be: Are you really hungry? Are you eating hot foods because you’re cold? Are you eating because you are stressed? Are you eating because everyone else is eating?
Mindful eating is defined as being fully present and engaged in the act of eating, focusing on the sensory experience and the emotions it evokes. Additionally, mindful eating involves considering the origins of your food, fostering awareness of its journey from source to plate. It also promotes the social aspect of eating, emphasizing shared meals at regular times and designated settings. Above all, mindful eating advocates for eating without distractions, allowing you to savor and appreciate each bite thoroughly.
As medical students, we often encounter triggers that can lead to overeating or neglecting our nutrition. Here are effective strategies to cope with these challenges:
- Stress: Instead of turning to food, find alternative outlets such as talking to a friend, exercising, journaling or practicing self-care to manage stress effectively.
- Emotions: Acknowledge your feelings rather than turning to food for comfort. Reach out to someone you trust for support and understanding.
- Waiting too long between meals: To prevent extreme hunger, especially on busy days, always have a healthy snack packed. Aim to eat every three to four hours to maintain energy levels and avoid overeating later.
- Unbalanced meals: Prioritize balanced meals by including a combination of protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates. This balance helps enhance feelings of satiety and provides sustained energy throughout the day.
It is obvious that nutrition is one of those topics that affects every individual in this society. Medical students should be aware of the nutritional habits they form during their high-stress and intricate training to become physicians. Fellow medical students, we encourage you to begin to conceptualize food as brain power for studying and fuel for clinical settings. If we are unable to support our own physical, mental and emotional well-being, how will we as physicians remain prominent figures in encouraging good health?
Image credit: “Preparing Vegetable Stock” (CC BY-NC 2.0) by LollyKnit
Contributing Writer
Albany Medical College
Ashley is a third year medical student at Albany Medical College in Albany, New York, Class of 2026. In 2021, Ashley graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutritional sciences. She is passionate about nutrition and advocacy, and enjoys spa days, painting, charcuterie, and traveling in her free time. After graduating medical school, Ashley would like to pursue a career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.