Eating right will take care of ‘freshman 15’
Q: There’s a lot of publicity warning new college freshmen to beware of “the freshmen 15.” My daughter starts college next year and has always been someone who watches what she eats. How much does she really have to be concerned about this infamous 15-pound weight gain? A: According to April Borry-Black, administrative director of The Health Center at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa., too much emphasis is actually being placed on avoiding “the freshmen 15” and not enough on the importance of eating a healthy diet.
“The reason I have a problem with all this talk about the ‘freshmen 15’ is that we’re seeing more anorexia and eating disorders. As more media puts pressure on issues involving weight gains, we have more eating disorders,” says Borry-Black. “As a whole, I think students are healthier and I hate to see emphasis placed on the ‘freshmen 15’ because it really targets women and doesn’t present the whole picture of a wonderful student.”
There is little emphasis in our society on moderation – in dress, in behaviors, in eating and drinking, etc.
“We all can be affected by the many messages that we see and hear each day and many of these messages may stir us to behave in an extreme manner. We need to focus on good health for the long term rather than fitting into a tight-fitting outfit tonight,” says Dr. Lisa Ritchie, assistant professor and the director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.
Since healthy lifestyle is the goal, and not simply keeping the “freshmen 15” off, Borry-Black and Ritchie offer the following tips:
– Don’t skip meals: Eat regularly because skipping meals can lead to overeating at the next one.
– Watch alcohol consumption:. Be careful about the amount of alcohol you drink; it tends to add calories when you least expect it.
– Exercise regularly: Not only can exercise help to alleviate stress (which may lead to overeating), but it burns extra calories as well.
– Don’t skip breakfast: Students tend to look past breakfast. Emphasis should be placed more on breakfast than on lunch or dinner.
– Healthy balance is the key: We all need to eat a balanced variety of foods, with particular emphasis on fruits and veggies. In addition to being low in calories, fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients, as well as fiber that can give a feeling of fullness.
(Send your questions to Steve Infanti, A Fit Life Column, 801e BAB, University Park, PA 16802 or via e-mail to SCInfanti@compu-serve.com.)