Movember & Top 5 Mens Health Symptoms To Look Out For

It's that time of year again...

It's MOVEMBER! If you are unaware Movember is an annual events involving the growing of moustaches for the month of November to raise money for charity and raise awareness of men's health.

Movember focuses on 4 key areas of men's health including-

Mental Health
Prostate Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Physical Inactivity

RGU are also doing their part and having a launch day for Movember on the 2nd so we thought we would get involved too! When it comes to health knowing your symptoms and when to go to your GP is vital and could be life saving. So we have come together with a list of top 5 symptoms of men's health that should not be ignored! Simply click on the image to enlarge the text for more information on these symptoms.

Remember diet and exercise are key to good health and can reduce the causes of many diseases! Keep an eye out for these symptoms and be aware of the added risks to Prostate and Testicular cancer and if they apply to you. It is so important to meet with your GP regularly to keep a check on your health so they can keep a check blood pressure and cholesterol as well as discuss any symptoms or changes in your health that are concerning you. Awarness is key and can be life saving so please spread the word! We hope this was helpful for all of our male readers out there and we can't wait to see our students and staff moustache progress and November continues!

For more information on Movember visit their website- https://uk.movember.com/

Also follow RGU RAG for more information on their Movember fundraising challenge- https://www.facebook.com/rgurag

Benefits Of Eating Fish & Our One Pot Salmon Stew Recipie

A major part of our diet is protein,

and one of the most healthy forms of protein is fish. So for today's post we are going to look at some of the health benefits on eating fish and a super easy recipie for you to try at home!

Fish Is High In Key Nutrients- The major benefit of eating fish, particularly fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout is omega 3. These omega 3 fatty acids are vital for your body and brain to function properly so much so its considered a "brain food".

Fish May Lower Risks of Heart Disease- Fish is often considered to be amongst one of the best foods to aid in a healthy heart. It has been shown that eating fish regularly can lower risks of heart attacks and strokes due to the omega 3 fatty acids.

Fish Is A Great Source Of Vitamin D-  Fish especially salmon and herring are some of the best dietary sources of vitamin D which is needed in order to keep bones and teeth healthy.

Fish Can Improve Skin & Hair-  The omega 3's in fish and the healthy fats are exactly what your hair needs to stay shiny and your skin looking nourished. Research  has linked fish to the treatment of skin conditions such as psoriasis which may also be flared up during these cold months,

Now you know just some of the benefits of eating fish here are just one of the many ways you could cook it! Using one of the most healthy types of fish- salmon this recipe is not only full of nutrients its also delicious so try it out for yourself and enjoy and remember to look out for our fish dishes, salads and sandwiches on campus!

How To Stay Fit On A Student Budget

Getting fit doesn't have to wait till your new years resolutions!

Exercise is not only an important part of good health it is also a great stress booster. A good workout can do wonders for exam nerves and help you focus. Exercise has also been proven to be a great mood lifter and a valuable aid to depression. However most of us assume that getting fit can be expensive, but don't worry we have some helpful tips on how to stay fit on a student budget so you don't miss out!

Giving yourself a goal will keep you motivated! Also be sure to check out your local gym right here at RGU not only will you get your student discount but you can go for a workout straight after class. If your also looking to meet new people fitness is a great way to do this so join one of the universities  many sports clubs!

If the thought of going to the gym makes you nervous or self conscious don't worry you can still stay fit by making your own gym from the comfort of your own home! You can found many different workout videos often for free on Youtube and cheap basic (but effective!) workout essentials online.

Your diet is vital in order to aid in your fitness and your workouts. Be sure to take in healthy forms of protein, fats and carbs. Whilst your on campus we have a variety of healthy options in our catering outlets everyday (be sure to look on the RGyou catering page for weekly menus and eat well logos  to let you know what is healthy!) As the next and final image says planning your meals is important, we update our menus for the coming week every Friday afternoon so you can plan your entire week quickly and easily while your at uni!

We hope you enjoyed this weeks blog and it gave you that motivational boost and relief to know your budget does not need to compromise your health. So get those running shoes on or weightlifting gloves on whatever your goal is!



Top Brain Foods & Healthy Takeaway Alternatives

Afternoon all!

As you all start settling into your classes and your first pieces of coursework are looming it is vital that you provide your body with the right foods to give you that extra brain power!

Sometimes we all crave that greasy takeaway, well we have come up with a great alternative to beat that craving that is fresh, full of nutrients and much healthier than your local kebab shop.

 

And for all of our vegetarian readers or those trying to cut down on their red meat intake have no fear we have a great healthy recipe for you too! A delicious vegetable bean chilli packed full of protein and fibre!

We hope you enjoy these recipes and let us know if you try it for yourself by taking a picture and tagging us on instagram- made_rgu

 

How To Make Your Coffee Order Healthier

Its officially October and many of us out there feel we can't truly start the day unless we have a good old cup of coffee to wake us up especially during these colder mornings! However if you are health conscious and worried about some of the sugars and calories in your usual order we have some tips on how to make your cup healthier whether you come by our various Costa outlets on campus or get your caffeine fix at our Made outlets we have you covered.

Go for skimmed instead of whole milk- You'll still be getting your milky coffee but cutting back considerably on the calories or cut the milk out completely and get a black coffee.

Cut back on the sugar- One of the main ways to make your coffee healthier is to cut back on sugar, this can easily be done by choosing sweeteners or taking out the syrups from your usual order.

Drink in moderation- Coffee is a great way to start your day but it is recommended to enjoy it in moderation due to the caffeine. If your still craving a coffee later in the day and feel you've already had one cup to many opt for decaf, tea or treat yourself to a hot chocolate! Remember it is okay to treat yourself from time to time just in moderation.

Say no to the extras- Often you might be asked if you want chocolate, whipped cream etc on top, cutting these back is a great way to cut back on sugar and calories.

Get a smaller size- If you are really craving a sugary sweet coffee maybe go for a smaller cup such as a medium instead of large you'll still be satisfied and getting your fix.

We hope this has helped you make some simple small solutions that could make a big difference to your health! We have some very exciting blog posts coming soon with new promotional material so stay tuned!

How To Survive The "Freshers Flu"

It's that dreaded time of the year again....

Freshers Week can be exhausting and make even the best of us ill between all the partying and lack of sleep, resulting in the infamous Freshers Flu but don't worry if your one of the poor unfortunate souls to catch it we have some handy tips on how to beat the flu!

Drinks Plenty Of Water!-

Water makes up over half of our body and is essential for you to function properly. Often dehydration can be a cause of feeling ill, create moodwsings, make us weak and cause headaches. It is recommended that most people drink between 1.5-2 litres of water a day (around 8-10 glasses). If you are not a water lover why not jazz it up by having sparkling water and adding some lemon slices or fruit to your bottle to add some natural and healthy flavourings.

Enjoy Alcohol Responsibly!-

Drinking in moderation is an enjoyable and usually harmless and usually harmless feature of student life, however getting drunk every night for a long period of time can certainly have an effect on your health. Not only wil helps the body l you face the dreaded hangover AKA vomiting, dehydrated, headaches and stomach pains to name a few but you could also put yourself at risk for weight gain,, liver disease and heart attacks. Drinking is a great social way to get to meet new people at uni, just simply be sensible! The average amount of units recommended per day for men is 3-4 and women 2-3. If you are going out to avoid feeling ill simply drink plenty of water before, during and after your night out and eat a good hearty meal rich in carbs and protein to help slow down the absorption process of the alcohol  and stop it going straight to your head.

Get Plenty Of Sleep!-

If you feel irratible and have a lack of focus in class its more than liekly your lacking sleep. A good nights rest, reccomended is 8 hours will more than likely help kick that flu! Sleep allows the body to heal, paritucalry if your feeling weak . Lack of sleep can be serious in the long run and have potential to be linked to many diaseases such as obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. Getting a proper sleeping routine will leave you focused, refreshed and able to recover from ilness quicker.

Take Your Vitamins!-

Vitamins are essential nutrients your body needs to work properly, we will be looking at the key vitamins needed in order to boost your immune system to help battle that flu. Vitamin A being a good source of this can be found in dairy, low fat spreads, eggs and oily fish. Vitamin E another good nutrient for your immune system and an antioxidant can be found in nuts especially almonds, seeds such as sunflower seeds are the best source, green vegetables, sunflower, corn, soybean and olive oil. Finally vitamin C help protect the body from disease and helps the immune system. The most common source of this is from citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit, however an uncommon fact is vitamin C can also be found in red/green peppers and kiwis, baked potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli and strawberries.

We hope this was helpful for you and if you are faced with Freshers Flu this week we wish you a speedy recovery! 

Top Five Healthy Menu Items On Campus

Hello Everyone!

So this week is what is known as "Welcome Week" as students begin o move away from home and move into accommodation, RGU have organised this week to introduce students to the university and Scottish culture before the madness of Freshers Week begins. This week we have been very busy meeting lots of new students from the Welcome to Garthdee event on Wednesday to visiting various accommodation sites all week to promote our social media launch, what we offer on campus and our new promotions. With all of our catering outlets opening this week we this  week we thought it would be interesting for all of you to find out our top five picks for healthy menu items on campus, a little insight into what we have to offer at RGU. Lets get started!

5. Freshly Baked Potatoes With  A Selection of Fillings-

A staple lunch item baked potato is on our list because the carbohydrates from the potato will  keep you full all day and give you lots of energy. With the skin on, the potatoes are also a good source of fiber and it can be catered to so many tastes! With a variety of fillings both meat and vegetarian this is an easily customisable menu item you wont get bored of easily available all over campus!

4. Omelette Bar-

Our omelette bar in the RGU Sports Café is another fantastic healthy menu item, eggs are a great source of protein, a vital nutrient especially if you are exercising in order to build muscle. Again this item is very customisable, you can add vegetables for an extra health kick or add diary by putting in some cheese or maybe add another protein boost with some ham.

3. Per Peri Grilled Chicken with Rice-

A menu item which was seen this week in the Faculty of Health and Social Care, per peri chicken is a very popular menu item adding a kick of flavour to your normal chicken breast. Chicken being a source of white meat is a good alternative protein and much healthier than red meat. Rice is also another good carbohydrate which means you'll stay fuller for longer and less likely to crave those sugary or salty snacks later in the day.

2. Boxed Salad-

Available in Scotts Basement, RGU Sports Café and Grays School of Art you won't struggle to find a salad on campus! A carb free menu item the salad is a nice lighter alternative to rice or potatoes if your feeling lethargic. Packed full of vegetables and nutrients our boxed salads are a key healthy menu item which again you wont tire of easily as the salads will be changing all the time! There are so many different vegetables, meats, dressings you can put on your salad it can be adapted to all tastes.

1. Soup Of The Day-

Taking our number one spot is the soup of the day! This lunch is perfect for the winter months we can already feel coming on in campus, warm, comforting and above all healthy. Our soups change daily so you can try something new each day some of our recipes including the classics such Vegetable, Goan Potato, Lentil or you could try something a bit different such as Sweet Potato and Ginger or Carrot and Coriander our soups are full of vegetables to help you reach your five a day.

We hope you enjoyed this weeks blog post, we will be posting again next Friday with a special post discussing Freshers Week,