Eating healthy while living on campus is not an easy thing to do, according to some students. They say it’s hard to find healthier food options to eat when there are quick fast food restaurants around every corner.
Senior Spanish and mass communications major Shatika Clark admitted it was hard to avoid unhealthy foods while living in a dorm. Though it was easier to eat something fast, even then she made sure to choose healthy options like frozen vegetables and Lean Pockets.
“I bought a lot of things with fiber: Nutri-Grain bars, wheat bread, granola snacks, and fresh produce,” Clark said.
According to Penelope H. Meyers, R.D., L.D., at Huntsville Memorial Hospital, consuming less fat and staying away from fried food are two simple steps to a healthy diet. When it comes to portion size, she advised meat shouldn’t bigger than a deck of cards, or approximately three ounces.
Meyers also emphasized the necessity of eating meals at normal times.
“Breakfast is especially important. Whole grain cereal, one percent milk or skim milk, and eggs are the options,” Meyers said.
Meyers said that students should seek out websites that keep a log of what they eat. Some popular websites with dietary trackers include myfitnesspal.com, livestrong.com and myplate.gov.
“Seventy percent of the people in the United States are overweight,” Meyers said. “It’s important to make sure that good things are being put in the body. Students should eat vegetables five times a day and fruits five times a day. When it comes to eating healthy on campus, students should not drown their salads in dressing.”
Instead of eating dessert, students should reach for fruit as a substitute, she said, unless on a special occassion. The majority of food options on campus are fast-food or pre-made meals with some healthy or fresh choices.