• Question: what do u eat as a scientist

    Asked by anon-354694 on 8 Mar 2023.
    • Photo: Bernice Ridley

      Bernice Ridley answered on 8 Mar 2023:

      I don’t think scientists eat anything different to non-scientists. I have seen some experimental chefs do amazing things using science to make weird and wonderful dishes, but really I hope I eat a reasonably healthy diet. I suppose the only thing I do think about is making sure I have enough protein and essential fatty acids for growth and repair, and I do try to include gamma linoleic acid in my diet (from seeds and nuts) as it is good for skin and hair.

    • Photo: Kirstie Andrews

      Kirstie Andrews answered on 8 Mar 2023:

      I try to eat a healthy diet, with a wide range of foods. But I think this is more to do with trying to be healthy rather than being a scientist/engineer. I have a disability that affects my digestive system so I have to be careful that I’m getting enough vitamins and getting a good balance of foods- as I have good scientific knowledge I find it easier to work that out than perhaps I would otherwise.

    • Photo: Hannah Tanner

      Hannah Tanner answered on 8 Mar 2023:

      I think I eat a fairly normal diet. I do made sure I eat a good breakfast or lunch before I do any difficult lab work though. If my blood sugar gets low and I get wobbly or hangry I am much more likely to make mistakes and ruin the experiments. I also have stash of chocolate biscuits in my desk drawer for emergencies.

    • Photo: Emma Kelly

      Emma Kelly answered on 8 Mar 2023:

      Interesting question! I now try to eat healthier and I also try to eat less meat. The reason is I know the impact that the meat industry has on the environment, and where I can I make suitable alternatives. I’m also more mindful in the winter to take a vitamin D and calcium supplement, because in Scotland we don’t get a lot of winter sun, and we need vitamin D to absorb calcium. This is me making sure I can stay as healthy as possible!

      That being said, I do love a donut!

    • Photo: Emma Agnew

      Emma Agnew answered on 8 Mar 2023:

      I tried to eat as healthily as I can but with working from home I have to resist the temptation of snacking. I am intolerant to gluten so I do also follow a gluten free diet. My job in food science has allowed me to learn lots about food allergies to this is really useful in my personal life with my diet.

      I do love going out and about enjoying new foods in local restaurants too.

    • Photo: Silvia Mazzotta

      Silvia Mazzotta answered on 8 Mar 2023:

      I try to eat healthy, but I must confess, I don’t always manage, as I like chocolate and pizza, A LOT. However, I do think that understanding how certain things can have a negative or positive impact on my health make me choose some foods over others.
      For example, at the moment, I eat very bland food (with no salt), as I have a nearly two year old son and I cook the same food for him, my husband and I; babies and toddlers can’t eat salt (or not a lot of it anyway) as salt is not very good for your kidneys. Kidneys are a bit like a washing machine for blood, as they remove waste from it and turn it into urine, your wee-wee; babies and toddler are still maturing their kidneys, and giving them salt might mess that up!

    • Photo: Jyoti Mangal

      Jyoti Mangal answered on 9 Mar 2023:

      I love to try different food cuisines, so I often eat out at new restaurants, asian food being my favorite! I think my eating habits are similar to most people, scientists and non-scientists alike 🙂 Growing up, though, my mom used to tell me that eating walnuts is really good for brain health and cognition and I would not believe her. Now that I do scientific research in brain imaging, I often read up on how that’s totally true, and it DOES improve overall memory and performance in the brain!

    • Photo: Benjamin Foster

      Benjamin Foster answered on 9 Mar 2023:

      No different to non-scientists I guess. Eat in moderation with a sensible diet. Sometimes, meals get moved if experiments are pressing but there is usually time to catch up!

    • Photo: John Clark-Corrigall

      John Clark-Corrigall answered on 10 Mar 2023:

      I try to eat a balanced diet and batch make my food for the week so if there’s a unplanned longer day I don’t have to cook anything or order in once I’m home. Food at the uni cafe is really expensive and greggs is too far away so I make sure all of my meals are packed lunches.

      Sometimes you need a quick boost in between experiments and move lunch later so I always have the office stocked with biscuits or other sweet treats that’re on offer in Tesco (other supermarkets are available). If experiments go wrong and can’t be resolved that day, there’s not much a cuppa and treat can’t repair. That happens more than you think so thank god for the clubcard!!!

    • Photo: Laura Lockhart

      Laura Lockhart answered on 14 Mar 2023:

      Probably the same stuff as a non-Scientist! My job is mostly office based so I try to eat healthily as I am sat at a computer a lot of the time. My previous jobs were more lab based so I was on my feet a lot and so I ate more energy rich foods like pasta to keep me going.

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