Conquering the "freshman 15"
Posted on 9/23/2010
By Jess Orr, Staff Writer
Photo by Brittany Berrens.
We’ve all heard about it, we know what it is, but why is the “freshman 15” a phenomenon that many high school grads cannot seem to avoid?
Minneapolis-based A’viands has been catering up food for students at the University of Wisconsin - Superior for a few years but with the recent addition of the Yellowjacket Union, the choices are endless. Most agree, the food tastes great but does it contribute to the empty calorie intake which inevitably leads to the dreaded freshman 15?
Jeannette Schuler, employee at A’viands in the YU, explains that there are six stations in which students and staff can select from for their meal.
“Each station usually has its own healthy selection, but with healthy food comes the bad food,” said Schuler.
It’s all in the decision making of the student in what and how much they wish to eat. That’s not to say that there aren’t healthy options A’viands has made available. They have made efforts to provide a wide selection of healthy food and drinks to go along with them. Some stations include fresh fruit, breads, cereals, salads, wraps and even flavored water - just to name a few - that all cater to the student who may be health-aware.
In addition, A’viands has begun their Fit Choices 4 Life program which is exactly what someone who fears the freshman 15 may be looking for. This program adds many healthy options and also has displays of the full nutrition information of each item served in the program. The program is based on the American Heart Association guidelines, USDA guidelines and the food pyramid. The program is led by registered dieticians and chefs to help students maintain personal health goals.
“Hopefully by early next week we will have information posted on each station that includes nutrition information for each item along with alternate options for students with certain food allergies such as gluten or flour,” said Executive Chef Patrick Moore, “we also have a dietician come in every Tuesday that can answer any students questions on either the food or how they can begin a healthy lifestyle.”
In the back of the cafeteria there is a wall dedicated to health awareness with many important facts and information that students may need.
A’viands offers up 10 tips to beat the Freshman 15:
1. Drink lots of Water – It really does work!
2. Be Prepared – Have healthy food around in case you want to snack
3. Sleep! – seven to nine hours of sleep is recommended to maintain a healthy body
4. Schedule Meals – eating every three to five hours maintains regularity
5. Go Green – Eat Veggies with every meal if possible
6. Go Lean – Eat lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, and fish
7. No Food in the Library – Or in class! Cuts down on bad snacking calories
8. Portion Patrol – Eat smaller portions and do not over eat
9. Hungry or Bored? – What is the real reason you are eating?
10. Above all, EXERCISE! – All of these do little without getting out and moving at least a couple hours a week.
Flyers and pamphlets are located near the health wall in the back and provide endless information to anyone who may be interested in how to begin eating right and staying active.
When asked about the Freshman 15 and how the food was in the cafeteria, student Brandon Siebert stated, “The food is usually pretty delicious, but I’m not really that concerned about how healthy it is. I have noticed that they seem to have something for everyone though.”
Selection is everything. The options are available for students to remain healthy and avoid the temptation, but when junk food is right in front of you sometimes it just tastes too good!
Minneapolis-based A’viands has been catering up food for students at the University of Wisconsin - Superior for a few years but with the recent addition of the Yellowjacket Union, the choices are endless. Most agree, the food tastes great but does it contribute to the empty calorie intake which inevitably leads to the dreaded freshman 15?
Jeannette Schuler, employee at A’viands in the YU, explains that there are six stations in which students and staff can select from for their meal.
“Each station usually has its own healthy selection, but with healthy food comes the bad food,” said Schuler.
It’s all in the decision making of the student in what and how much they wish to eat. That’s not to say that there aren’t healthy options A’viands has made available. They have made efforts to provide a wide selection of healthy food and drinks to go along with them. Some stations include fresh fruit, breads, cereals, salads, wraps and even flavored water - just to name a few - that all cater to the student who may be health-aware.
In addition, A’viands has begun their Fit Choices 4 Life program which is exactly what someone who fears the freshman 15 may be looking for. This program adds many healthy options and also has displays of the full nutrition information of each item served in the program. The program is based on the American Heart Association guidelines, USDA guidelines and the food pyramid. The program is led by registered dieticians and chefs to help students maintain personal health goals.
“Hopefully by early next week we will have information posted on each station that includes nutrition information for each item along with alternate options for students with certain food allergies such as gluten or flour,” said Executive Chef Patrick Moore, “we also have a dietician come in every Tuesday that can answer any students questions on either the food or how they can begin a healthy lifestyle.”
In the back of the cafeteria there is a wall dedicated to health awareness with many important facts and information that students may need.
A’viands offers up 10 tips to beat the Freshman 15:
1. Drink lots of Water – It really does work!
2. Be Prepared – Have healthy food around in case you want to snack
3. Sleep! – seven to nine hours of sleep is recommended to maintain a healthy body
4. Schedule Meals – eating every three to five hours maintains regularity
5. Go Green – Eat Veggies with every meal if possible
6. Go Lean – Eat lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, and fish
7. No Food in the Library – Or in class! Cuts down on bad snacking calories
8. Portion Patrol – Eat smaller portions and do not over eat
9. Hungry or Bored? – What is the real reason you are eating?
10. Above all, EXERCISE! – All of these do little without getting out and moving at least a couple hours a week.
Flyers and pamphlets are located near the health wall in the back and provide endless information to anyone who may be interested in how to begin eating right and staying active.
When asked about the Freshman 15 and how the food was in the cafeteria, student Brandon Siebert stated, “The food is usually pretty delicious, but I’m not really that concerned about how healthy it is. I have noticed that they seem to have something for everyone though.”
Selection is everything. The options are available for students to remain healthy and avoid the temptation, but when junk food is right in front of you sometimes it just tastes too good!
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