Students aren’t renowned for their healthy ways, but a new health shop on campus has already encouraged wholesome changes . Jo Caruana goes behind the counter to find out more.

I vividly remember my student days. Strapped for cash, we nibbled on junk food and, at best, chowed down on beans on toast. Our exercise regime was a careful combination of walking to class and, occasionally, running to catch a bus.

We stayed up all night plying ourselves with coffee in the hope we’d hand an assignment in on time, and we lounged on the sofa all day scoffing sweets.

We worked hard but played harder, and thought little about the health effects of our manic lifestyles. In short, healthy living wasn’t exactly a priority of my four years at university.

Thankfully, I survived – but that doesn’t mean that a more wholesome approach wouldn’t have benefited my classmates and me.

And with that in mind, the University Students’ Council (KSU) was keen to open a pharmacy on campus that would enable students to make healthy choices when they wanted to – whether that was buying contraception, sanitary products or contact lens solution.

“There was definitely the need for a health shop on campus because many of the products the students required weren’t available, plus they were leading a very unhealthy lifestyle,” explains KSU president Stefan Balzan. “We wanted to be able to offer them a viable alternative and we looked at various options as to what could provide the best move forward.”

So, while the quota for the number of pharmacies that can be open in the Msida area had already been met, KSU opted to approach specialised retailers to open a health shop instead, the aim of which was to blend many of the students’ requirements, with additional options that could encourage beneficial, healthy choices.

Now open, the store offers everything from vitamins, minerals and beauty products, to a specially-crafted range of fresh and nutritious food that can be eaten on the go.

“We were thrilled to be approached and eventually selected,” explains Caroline Scerri, from Health Plus, which also operates a store in Ħamrun.

As a pharmacist with a postgraduate degree in nutrition, Scerri has always been passionate about encouraging people, especially young people, to make healthier choices and to eat better.

With her nutritional expertise, Scerri makes it clear how important it is for students to make sound choices that could really benefit the way they perform at university.

If you eat better, you perform better – it’s as simple as that, she explains. Junk food tends to contain a lot of additives, which only lead one to lose concentration. There are certain foods that make a real difference, such as eating the right omega oils to boost brain power.

Health Plus has introduced a range of fresh, healthy sandwiches, salads and snacks that have been targeted towards specific students’ needs, such as a salmon baguette rich in Omega 3, and a chicken sandwich which is a great source of protein.

The idea is to offer students a healthy, viable alternative on a daily basis, and Scerri has been careful to ensure prices reflect that wherever possible.

Students really seem to have taken to the idea.

“Our pots of single fruits – such as strawberries or melon – have done really well. We also created some dips and crudités, which make for the perfect snack between classes.

“We’ve been thrilled with the number of products flying off the shelves, and have even put in a special computerised system within the shop that offers unbiased health advice so our clients can make educated choices.”

After all, education on wholesome living is key, and taking facilities such as these directly to young people is the ideal way to ensure healthy living.

Caroline Scerri’s tips for healthier student living and eating

Aim to eat around five to six times every day and snack on something every three hours or so. Eat three main meals, and three 100-150 calorie snacks. Your main meals should be well spaced out, with around five hours between them;

Snack on the right kind of food, avoiding junk food whenever possible. Try a combination of raw vegetables with a hummus or tuna dip, fruit, healthy cereal bars, yoghurts or a handful of nuts;

Charge yourself with brain food that will help you concentrate and study. Nuts are great as they contain plenty of protein (though should still be eaten in moderation). Alternatively, try foods such as fish, and seeds like flaxseed and sesame;

No matter how late you get up, don’t skip breakfast. Your body goes into fasting mode while you’re asleep and everything slows down, so try to eat something as soon as you get up, whether it’s fruit, healthy cereal or wholemeal bread;

Find time to exercise as often as possible, as this releases endorphins and will make you feel good. After a stint of studying, go for a run, swim, walk or whatever you enjoy. According to the World Health Organisation, it is important to exercise at least three times a week for 45 minutes each time.