Eating well
Eating well plays a vital role in your overall health and allows you to get the most out of each day.
Fueling your brain and body with the right foods allows you to perform at your best.It is important to ensure that you are eating nutritious foods that are suited to your needs- remember that good nutrition can look different for different people. Find out more about what healthy eating habits look like below.
Fueling your brain
Did you know that the brain - which comprises about 2% of our body weight- uses about 20% of our energy? Fueling it with healthy foods has benefits for mood, memory, and the prevention of disease. Aim to consume a varied diet containing plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits,healthy unsaturated fats (for example fish, walnuts, and avocado) and limited sugar, salt, and saturated fats.
- Visit the Make Healthy Normal or this Nutrition Calculator to see how your eating habits compare to the recommended daily intakes.
Find out more
- The Australian Dietary Guidelines provide advice about the amount and kinds of foods that we need to eat for health and wellbeing. You can find them here.
- Fruit and veg doesn't just look pretty, there are particular health benefits associated with different colours, too! Read about what health benefits correspond with what colour here. Check out the ACT Government's 'The Mixing Bowl' recipe book for a range of tasty, healthy, and economical recipes.
ANU Kitchen Garden Program
Interested in getting out, growing some fresh produce, and meeting like-minded others while you're at it? Check out the Kitchen Garden Program.
Getting assistance
- ANUSA's free student meals program is still running, but it looks slightly different due to COVID-19.The current service includes vouchers for lunch and dinner for students who are struggling. See here for more information.
- ANUSA offers voucher programs for students struggling to afford groceries.See the page here: ANUSA voucher program.
- The regular free breakfast program,usually offered at the Brian Kenyon Student Space, is currently unavailable due to COVID-19. However, watch this space as the situation changes.
- In need of a quick, cheap bite? Check out the ANU Food Coop, located on Rimmer Street (right near Lena Karmel lodge), offering discounted lunches(good range of vegan options, too) and grocery essentials.
Community Connect Food Relief
The Community Connect Food Relief service is for eligible students identified with food insecurity. The rising cost of living and demands on time can negatively affect the student experience. Community Connect aims to support these students and connect them to other services so they can break the cycle of food insecurity.
Students that are HEPPP-eligible can receive ongoing food relief support. You can read more about the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) funding, including eligibility criteria here.
Students that are not HEPPP-eligible may still be able to receive food relief through Community Connect.
If you are unsure if our service is for you, please reach out to us at student.life@anu.edu.au and one of our team members will contact you.
Community Connect is only one of several food relief services available to students. Please see food relief at ANU and in Canberra for more details.