With summer just weeks away, students can prepare for the heat by finding simple ways to create a healthier lifestyle. Small adjustments to students' exercise and food intake can help reduce unwanted pounds before swimsuit season.
The easiest way for students to get rid of excess sugar and calories is to eliminate soda from their diets or to drink it only a few times a week, nutrition professor Katie Silliman said.
"Soda should just be something you have occasionally," Silliman said. "It's sugar water - it's bad for your teeth, and it adds calories."
Other beverages also contain high amounts of fat, but reducing consumption of certain beverages is the simplest way to get healthier. Drinking milk with a lower percentage of fat can also be an easy switch, she said.
"If you're a whole milk drinker, go to 2 percent or 1 percent," Silliman said. "Or switch to fat free creamer," rather than half-and-half. Drinking lighter and healthier helps to an extent, but adjusting eating habits also improves the body. Silliman said it's better to avoid campus vending machines because the snacks in those machines are usually not very healthy. Shopping ahead of time can eliminate the need for those snacks.
Some snacks that are healthier to eat are pretzels, nuts, whole-wheat crackers and trail mix. The switch from chips to pretzels reduces calories without a drastic change in dieting.
Not all students make smart decisions about eating. Junior Dustin Siemens said he doesn't always think about making healthy choices, but sometimes he will order a side salad instead of French fries.
"I think guys don't really think about making healthy choices," he said. "It seems like girls are more health conscious."
For senior Nicole Chouinard, eating breakfast is what helps her stay healthy. She has also been taking gym classes to get in shape, she said.
"I've been swimming a couple weeks now, and I try to go every other day," Chouinard said.
Students can improve their exercise habits by making exercise a social activity, Silliman said. Students are more likely to do activities, such as hiking, if it's done as a fun, group activity instead of for the purpose of working out.
"Just getting out and walking a whole heck of a lot more is better," Silliman said. "Find social events with people that are active."
Sarah Rich can be reached at srich@theorion.com
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