Instant gratification and proper nutrition don't go together,but some college students settle for the quickest way to satisfyhunger pains.
"Students are not as worried about nutrition as you think theyare. They want what's fast and what they're used to," said ChuckWigington, Dining Services director.
The Tiger Den offers fast foods, as well as nutritional foodslike low-carbohydrate menus, vegetable lines and salad bars.
University of Memphis Dining Services offers both popular andhealthy foods. The menus are a result of two yearly surveys DiningServices conducts with The University community. Dining Servicesdoes not provide nutritional education but has worked with StudentHealth Services in the past by giving out information oncholesterol, Wigington said.
"The goal is to provide more nutritional information that wedon't currently provide," he said. "We're going in thatdirection."
Reshaping tastes and developing healthy eating habits requiremore than nutritional information alone, according to experts.
Developing a taste for healthy foods takes eating something fortwo or three months, said Eddie Ellsworth, associate professor ofHuman Movement Sciences and Education and nutrition expert.Ellsworth said students wanting to begin a healthy diet shouldstart the change slowly with a couple of items then add newones.
"If you don't like it, force yourself to stick with it," hesaid, "and you can get to like it really well."
The University's nutrition counseling services helps studentsdevelop and maintain healthy eating habits.
Nutritious foods help maintain energy levels needed to combatthe stress that often accompanies campus life. It may be the firsttime students are responsible for their own meal choices, and earlyhabits are hard to break after four or five years of doingsomething, said Erin Corrigan, nutrition educator.
"Students think, 'I'll change after I graduate,'" she said. "Thebest time to modify a habit is now."
Corrigan said students should eat healthy foods like lean meatsand plenty of fruits and vegetables. Students should also chooseapples, which provide Vitamin C, fiber and potassium, for snacksinstead of cookies that provide empty calories, she said.
"Candy, sodas, cookies and crackers are made with white flourand metabolize quickly for an instant energy burst, giving a rollercoaster effect," Corrigan said. "Energy levels go even lower (thanbefore eating). You want your energy level to go up and maintain,so eat complex carbs. The fiber will maintain energy levels."
Fiber can be found in whole grains like breads and oatmeal,fruits, vegetables and legumes, she said.
"Replace the junk food with a minimum, five-a-day serving ofdifferent fruits and vegetables," she said. "They supply vitalvitamins and minerals to help maintain energy levels."
| Healthy EatingTips |
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The Hudson Health Center provides free individual and groupnutrition counseling to students and provides the following healthyeating tips: * Carry healthy foods with you: carrot sticks and granola bars. * If you get a burger, combine it with a salad. * At home or in dormitories, keep ready-made salads (the green er, the better), pre-cut vegetables, string cheese, yogurt,oatmeal and instant soup with beans, not ramen noodles. * Always eat breakfast (oatmeal or whole grain cereal) to help jumpstart your metabolism and give you energy for morning classes. Erin Corrigan can be reached at 678-2664. |
