Health

Sex & Diet

Sex
For more info on STDs, contraception, sexual problems and other issues on bedroom gymnastics, consult our survival guide to sex.

Diet
A healthy diet is essential to staying healthy, avoiding illness and keeping on top of the game physically and mentally. Eat heartily and have a good mix or fruits, veg, dairy products, meat, fish and even some fat and sugar. Eating healthily doesn't necessarily mean eating stuff that tastes bad - just try and have a balanced diet - always eat breakfast and try and avoid too many Saturday morning greasy fry-ups. A tip for eating well and staying in shape is to have carbohydrates in the morning (cereal, bread), a mix of carbs and protein at lunchtime (steak and chips, pasta Bolognese) and minimal carbohydrates and lots of protein at dinnertime (fish, veg etc). And obviously, avoid too many packets of Nik-Naks, Mars Bars and Jelly Tots.

If you're a veggie, you need to be really careful what you eat for a healthy balance, and vegans even more so. Just make sure you replace the foods you no longer eat with others to make sure that they get the necessary nutrients. Definitely do grab some vitamin supplements, but not too many, and in any case, vegetables are better for you and cheaper. The simplest option is not always the best.

For some simple recipes and some good books on student cooking, check out our survival guide to cooking.

Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa
The effects of these disorders are not always easy to spot. If you know someone whom you think may have an eating disorder, talk to him or her and help them seek out professional advice. Remember, these are disorders of the mind, not physical problems and can often be solved through professional counselling and help sessions. Help can be found in your Union welfare centre, or at the numbers below:

Eating Disorders Association
Help-Line: (01603) 621 414 - Monday-Friday, 9am - 6: 30pm
Website: www.gurney.org.uk/eda

Not only can eating disorders affect your physical capabilities and make you physically ill and feeble, but also can have similar effects to dehydration, leading to lack of ability to concentrate, lack of libido and loss of temper.