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College presents all kinds of freedoms, and one of the freedoms people seldom discuss is the freedom of eating. Most of us have spent our lives with structured meal times. Our parents provide the kinds of foods we eat. Mom helps us manage out portions and smacks our hands when they mistakenly get stuck in the cookie jar.
Suddenly you get to college and your schedule is in disarray – breakfast is skipped, lunch is taken at a sprint, and dinner becomes an afterthought and around ten P.M. which is when you realize you’re starving.
(CU Independent illustration/Kelly Kaoudis)
Eating, like everything else in life, is a balancing act. We need to eat in order to survive, but conscious eating habits will help keep the body healthy.
The Freshman 15
We’ve all heard the warnings: “Watch out for that Freshman 15”. If you went to a small high school, you may have seen the results of the Freshman 15 in the flesh. Recently graduated students come back looking much more well-fed than the last time you saw them. If you’re an older student, you’ve probably already been through the Freshman 15.
Now everyone calm down for a second: according to kidshealth.org, most people only gain between three or ten pounds freshman and sophomore year due to stress and a massive change in lifestyle. No matter what the weight gain, college is when you learn about choosing what to eat. But there are ways to handle your eating habits early on. Here are some strategies to maintaining healthy eating habits.
Some Friendly Advice
My favorite advice on how to eat well can be summed up by the great Michael Pollan, the author of books like the Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food. It’s an amazing piece of advice because it is so simple: “Eat food. Not a lot. Mostly plants.”
Step 1: Eat food
This part is easy. We’re college students, after all. All of us are working our tails off, and that takes energy. When your body says, “I’m hungry,” then it’s time to listen. Think of dinner as a time to eat with people. Get your friends together and go to dinner. If you cannot leave your desk out of fear of the apocalypse descending upon you, than take your homework with you, plug in the tunes, and sit down. Studying on an empty stomach will not help you to absorb the material.
Step 2: Not a lot
This part is a little trickier.
We’ve all had the major Buffet Syndrome (e.g. when your eyes are bigger than your stomach). You pile your plate high with food because there are so many choices at the on-campus dining halls it can give you a headache.
When you feel like your brain is wheeling from all the options, take a deep breath, and start small. Remember that you can always go back. I recommend a bowl and a plate to start off with. Plus, wasting food is bad. I’ll resist from lecturing you on the orphans in Somalia.
Step 3: Mostly Plants
I’m a vegetarian. Eating mostly plants is my specialty. I know that for many people, eating plants is reminiscent of your parents force-feeding you broccoli. But salad is not just for rabbits. Think of all the yummy stuff you can put on top of your salads now. The possibilities really are endless. Salads are one of the most versatile meals you can have. If salads really aren’t your thing, try to eat some of those roasted vegetables at the Persian station at the C4C. Grab some carrots from the Grab-n’-Go.
I see you sneaking glances at the desert section: that German Chocolate Cake is calling your name. The truth is we all have our guilty pleasure food. Have no guilt about your secret desire to consume massive amounts of sugar. We actually need sugar to keep a balanced, healthy diet. So have dessert. Take a cookie, have some ice cream or enjoy a package of Twizzlers. Just try your very best not to live off of Cheez-etz and Hostess Cupcakes.
Food is a huge part of life — it keeps us strong, and it keeps us fueled. Remember that you know your body better than anyone else – you know your own limits. Respect your body and take care of yourself.
Food is joy. Have fun eating, indulge occasionally, and savor every bite.
Bon appetit!
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Hannah Morrison at Hamo7004@colorado.edu.
