Spring Break
The Daily OrangeTasty temptations pack on the pounds
By Krystie Yandoli
Posted: 9/16/08, 12:25 AM EST Section: Opinion
Instead of students worrying about gaining weight during their freshman year, they should be focused on eating a well-balanced, healthy meal, exercising regularly and being mentally healthy.
SU students are privileged enough to attend a university that offers vegan, vegetarian, fruit and vegetable options.
"There are many healthy options in the dining centers, including many whole grain breads, pastas, an extensive salad bar and healthy spreads," said Ruth Sullivan, registered Dietitian and Nutrition Educator for SU Food Services.
The majority of students request these options, yet there are still students who want pizza, chicken nuggets and french fries. "I'm a big proponent for portion control," Sullivan said. Her emphasis on portion control is an important element in obtaining healthy eating habits.
In the dining halls, students have a variety of food choices and eating habits. Despite the range of cuisine on students' plates, they all seem to have some common ground: their satisfaction with SU's dining halls.
"It's not Syracuse's fault that I'm a picky eater," said Jenna Heller, a freshman English major. "I'll just grab a quick bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast."
Instead of Heller consuming 400 milligrams of sodium and 45 grams of carbohydrates in one serving of her favorite cereal, she could take part in yet another challenge this semester: trying new foods. For example, a container of low-fat yogurt only has 171 milligrams of sodium and 17 grams of carbohydrates.
Heller is not the only student giving in to unhealthy temptations. Plenty of students feel unhappy with the fact that they are enticed toward the unhealthiest options in dining halls.
SU students have all of the healthy living tools at their fingertips. Instead of cramming down a greasy slice of pizza, students should head down to the salad bar and load up on a big bowl of healthy decisions.
Krystie Yandoli is a freshman in The College of Arts and Sciences. Her columns appear every Tuesday. She can be reached at klyandol@syr.edu.
SU students are privileged enough to attend a university that offers vegan, vegetarian, fruit and vegetable options.
"There are many healthy options in the dining centers, including many whole grain breads, pastas, an extensive salad bar and healthy spreads," said Ruth Sullivan, registered Dietitian and Nutrition Educator for SU Food Services.
The majority of students request these options, yet there are still students who want pizza, chicken nuggets and french fries. "I'm a big proponent for portion control," Sullivan said. Her emphasis on portion control is an important element in obtaining healthy eating habits.
In the dining halls, students have a variety of food choices and eating habits. Despite the range of cuisine on students' plates, they all seem to have some common ground: their satisfaction with SU's dining halls.
"It's not Syracuse's fault that I'm a picky eater," said Jenna Heller, a freshman English major. "I'll just grab a quick bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast."
Instead of Heller consuming 400 milligrams of sodium and 45 grams of carbohydrates in one serving of her favorite cereal, she could take part in yet another challenge this semester: trying new foods. For example, a container of low-fat yogurt only has 171 milligrams of sodium and 17 grams of carbohydrates.
Heller is not the only student giving in to unhealthy temptations. Plenty of students feel unhappy with the fact that they are enticed toward the unhealthiest options in dining halls.
SU students have all of the healthy living tools at their fingertips. Instead of cramming down a greasy slice of pizza, students should head down to the salad bar and load up on a big bowl of healthy decisions.
Krystie Yandoli is a freshman in The College of Arts and Sciences. Her columns appear every Tuesday. She can be reached at klyandol@syr.edu.
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