The “Freshman 15.”
None of us can say we weren’t warned about it. So, why are some students able to avoid its wrath while many others fall victim to its undesirable results?
According to Dr. Philip Greiner, associate professor of nursing, staying healthy at college is all about lifestyle choices and managing a “balancing act” between diet and exercise.
“There is very good evidence that the country is getting more and more obese,” said Grenier. Therefore, he explained, it is important for college students to form healthy habits now that will last a lifetime. It is here, he said, that students begin building their “health legacy.”
Grenier asks students to look 10 years into their future. With a steady job and family, there will not be time available to exercise daily or for long periods at a time.
“What’s scary,” he said, “is that you’ll never be in better shape.”
Students agreed that finding time to curb unhealthy habits is difficult.
“A big thing with college kids is not scheduling time to eat properly and go to the gym,” said Nicole Wilroy ’08.
“Students just need to manage their time in order to fit in an hour to go to the gym or to eat something healthy rather than grabbing a cookie just because it’s the easiest,” she said.
Grenier also said that the food plan at Fairfield encourages overeating.
“If you go to a buffet, you overeat,” he said, adding that parents encourage their children to use their meal plan frequently in order to get their money’s worth.
Both Grenier and the University’s nutritionist, Kelly Aronica, emphasize the need to have regular meals and snacks. Aronica recommends eating something healthy every 3- 4 hours in order to keep energy levels up. Otherwise, cravings for calorie-dense foods, which are filled with fat and sugar, will occur. While these types of foods will deliver a quick hit of energy, they do not provide lasting energy and are not be as beneficial as choosing a healthier snack.
Nursing major Kristen Coraccio ’08 said that students need a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates and fat in order to maintain their weight.
“Eating more proteins and carbs and less fats is suggested, but students have to be careful about their carb intake as well because excess carbs, like those found in beer and those late night pizzas and cheesy breads, are stored as fats if they are not used up by the body,” she said.
Coraccio and Aronica said fad diets and cutting calories by skipping meals are a major pitfall for many students. Aronica encourages students to keep healthy snacks in their dorm rooms and go shopping regularly so these things are readily available when a craving strikes.
For healthy snacks, Aronica advises students to stock up on applesauce, raisins, dried apricots, whole grain crackers, whole grain cereal and milk, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, oatmeal, string cheese, yogurt, popcorn or trail mix.
“When you’re studying at midnight and it’s been six hours since dinner and you’re starving, you’ll be less likely to overindulge in something ordered in that is less healthy,” said Aronica.
Grenier encourages cutting calories in a healthy way by first keeping a dietary diary for a week. Ask yourself how much of your daily intake is comprised of carbohydrates, fats, protein, or fruits and vegetables, and also consider portion sizes. He encourages students to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their daily routines because “that’s where the American diet really falls short.”
However, Grenier said he recognizes that a college campus is not the most ideal place for people to begin forming healthy lifestyles. It is difficult when parents are no longer around to prepare the meals or do the grocery shopping, and it is often a struggle to say no to a slice of greasy pizza when that is what all of your friends are consuming. He also emphasized that a healthy lifestyle is all about personal choices.
Choose a veggie pizza over pepperoni, and you’ve taken care of a serving of vegetables and cut back on calories.
“Look at Sodexho’s food,” he said. “You have good options. The problem is that there are a lot of options.”
According to Bryan Davis, general manager of Sodexho, a nutritionist puts together a sign at the entrance to the campus cafeteria every day stating what items on the menu are healthy. Nutritional information is also included at the different stations.
“Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is pretty basic when it comes down to it,” said nursing major Jackie Hurley ’08.
“If you eat a variety of foods that aren’t packed with fat and calories and try to exercise the recommended 5-6 days a week, you’ll be keeping your body healthy by both increasing your cardiovascular health and decreasing your chances of gaining weight,” said Hurley.
Not a gym buff? Fairfield University provides a number of ways to burn a few extra calories throughout your day.
Grenier recommends taking advantage of the beautiful campus by taking a walk between classes.
Bike to class or skip the shortcut, he said. Explore the neighborhood by foot with a friend, or join one of the many intramural or club sports that are offered.
Need a little more inspiration? Grenier encourages students to look at how their parents have aged.
“If you’re parents are overweight and you don’t want to be overweight, start exercising right now,” said Grenier. “Generally, we are not that much different from them.”
For more information about your own specific needs, visit Click Here for a food pyramid personalized to fit your body and lifestyle.
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