2008 Woodie Awards
Healthy Eating
Anna Goldberg
Issue date: 4/27/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
After a number of reports proclaimed United States as a "heaviest" country in the world many people embarked on a mission to shape up and get healthy.
But in the hectic life of a college student, eating healthy is no easy task.
"I eat what's available," said 19-year-old Claudia Cruz, a business major at Valley College, who doesn't consider herself a healthy eater. "I'll have a pizza or a burger and a soda from the cafeteria. It's there and it's not expensive."
Not only do many eat unhealthy foods, students often skip entire meals. After a late night studying, many students are faced with a choice of either waking up 30 minutes early to have time for breakfast or spending that time sleeping.
More often then not, breakfast loses.
Sonia B. Nodal, physician assistant at the Valley College Health Center suggests that students make time for breakfast, the most important meal of the day. Nodal added that students should choose their meals wisely, eliminating high-sodium foods.
Studies show that those who eat breakfast are more likely to have more strength and endurance throughout the day than those who skip it, according to the American Dietetic Association.
Although Valley's cafeteria does offer some of the healthier alternatives like soups, salads and sandwiches as well as fresh fruit, it's not enough to tempt some students to dine on campus.
"I'll usually just get a snack at school and that's it," said communications major Jennifer Larson, 36. "As for lunch, I'll go some place else. The college's cafeteria has a lot of junk."
Some of the local places offering healthier alternatives to the always-present junk food are Sharkey's, a Mexican restaurant located on Burbank and Fulton, and Subway, the poster child for healthier fast food; both just across the street from campus.
Although most students must keep in mind that healthier eating might equal slightly higher prices.
"Still, students should bring their own food, that way they won't depend on vending machines," said 48-year-old nursing student Sparky Jamison. "And they should learn how to balance their time and eating."
Jamison also recommends that students try to eat more often and have smaller meals, as well as avoiding heavy meals after 8 p.m. and staying away from foods containing high salt and fat.
Experts agree that the eating habits developed in college stick with people throughout their lives.
"Once I joined the nursing program and started to learn about nutrition, I noticed that I began to eat healthier," said Jamison. "It's hard to change your eating habits, but it's possible."
But in the hectic life of a college student, eating healthy is no easy task.
"I eat what's available," said 19-year-old Claudia Cruz, a business major at Valley College, who doesn't consider herself a healthy eater. "I'll have a pizza or a burger and a soda from the cafeteria. It's there and it's not expensive."
Not only do many eat unhealthy foods, students often skip entire meals. After a late night studying, many students are faced with a choice of either waking up 30 minutes early to have time for breakfast or spending that time sleeping.
More often then not, breakfast loses.
Sonia B. Nodal, physician assistant at the Valley College Health Center suggests that students make time for breakfast, the most important meal of the day. Nodal added that students should choose their meals wisely, eliminating high-sodium foods.
Studies show that those who eat breakfast are more likely to have more strength and endurance throughout the day than those who skip it, according to the American Dietetic Association.
Although Valley's cafeteria does offer some of the healthier alternatives like soups, salads and sandwiches as well as fresh fruit, it's not enough to tempt some students to dine on campus.
"I'll usually just get a snack at school and that's it," said communications major Jennifer Larson, 36. "As for lunch, I'll go some place else. The college's cafeteria has a lot of junk."
Some of the local places offering healthier alternatives to the always-present junk food are Sharkey's, a Mexican restaurant located on Burbank and Fulton, and Subway, the poster child for healthier fast food; both just across the street from campus.
Although most students must keep in mind that healthier eating might equal slightly higher prices.
"Still, students should bring their own food, that way they won't depend on vending machines," said 48-year-old nursing student Sparky Jamison. "And they should learn how to balance their time and eating."
Jamison also recommends that students try to eat more often and have smaller meals, as well as avoiding heavy meals after 8 p.m. and staying away from foods containing high salt and fat.
Experts agree that the eating habits developed in college stick with people throughout their lives.
"Once I joined the nursing program and started to learn about nutrition, I noticed that I began to eat healthier," said Jamison. "It's hard to change your eating habits, but it's possible."
