Healthier Food choices will help students avoid unwanted weight gain, the freshman 5
By Jocelyne LaFortune, Staff Writer -- lafortun12@up.edu
Worried about your figure this fall?
According to Valerie Edwards, a clinical dietician employed part-time by the Health Center, the fabled "Freshman 15" is often not what stories make it out to be.
"Recent studies have shown that the ‘Freshman 15' is probably more accurately called the ‘Freshman 5,'" Edwards said. "In fact, I see a lot of students who overcompensate and end up losing a lot of weight."
So why do some college students put on the pounds?
College students' unpredictable schedules can be major factors in weight fluctuation, according to Edwards.
"One of the big problems I see students struggling with is late night snacking when they're up all night studying," Edwards said. "Make it a healthy snack!"
Kim Nguyen, program support specialist for the School of Nursing, says that packing healthy snacks such as granola bars, pre-cut fruits and vegetables or nuts like almonds or cashews, can help stave off hunger long enough for students to find something healthy to eat.
"Fast food restaurants and foods from vending machines are especially appealing when you're hungry," Nguyen said.
Even the healthiest of eaters could be consuming more calories than they realize, according to Nguyen.
"Most people cut out unhealthy foods when they want to improve their diet," said Nguyen. "What they often forget is that a major source of our calories comes instead from beverages."
So ditch the morning latte or your lunchtime soda, advises Nguyen.
"Water is the best thirst-quencher, and it is calorie free," said Nguyen. "Save the calories from beverages for food, which can fill you up longer than any beverage."
The Health Center can be a valuable resource for students who want to gain or lose weight in a healthy way, or for students who simply want to improve their diets. Students experiencing low energy can also receive guidance from the Health Center.
"I just want students to know that they can come to us with any concerns – they don't need to be major issues," Edwards said. "Everyone in the Health Center is here to help."
Students looking for nutritional help can make an appointment in the Health Center by calling (503)-943-7134. Services are free of charge.
