Gaining the Freshman 15? sophomore 10? junior, senior weight?

For any of our readers out there who are freshmen and worried about putting on the alleged "freshman 15", or for anyone out there fighting the fatty, sodium-y, away-from-home diet, you've come to the right place. Check out our previous posts on "healthy budgeting basics" and "meals in a minute." Here I will give a few more suggestions, with a shout out to our anonymous reader who wants some ideas for healthy snacks in between or in classes.

If you don't mind being loud:

• baby carrots, mmm. Or carrot and celery sticks, if you have time for a little preparation.
• crunchy fruits...apples
• nuts, any kind, whole and unsalted
• sunflower or pumpkin seeds
• crackers (goldfish and wheat thins are my fav!)...add hummus if you're adventurous!
• crunchy granola bars

If you'd rather be discreet:

• boxes of raisins
• chewy granola bars (kashi is kind of expensive but super healthy, adding whole nuts into the bar)
• not so crunchy fruits...oranges, bananas, plums, pears
  
• string cheese
• bell pepper slices (green peppers are in season, good price!)
  
• yogurt cups or tubes

Also, if you're the statistics type, a research study was done at SUU last year on the freshman here. Over the course of one semester, 71.4% of measured freshmen gained weight, with those that gained weight gaining an average of 4.4 lbs. The study also found that about 66% of respondents said their stress increased since coming to college, and of those with elevated stress, 58.3% said they ate more because of stress. Stress could be a contributing factor to weight gain in freshmen at SUU. So chill freshmen! You'll make it. :)

For those freshmen inspired to be a little healthier - next week is FASSST week, classes and seminars put on with just college newcomers in mind. Hillary White, a senior with lots of knowledge, will be teaching classes on nutrition. Tuesday at 12 noon in the Brian Head Room, Wednesday at 9 in the Cedar Breaks room, and Friday at 10 in the Brian Head room. Her presentation will be based on any questions you may have, so go and learn from the best!

For any other questions... nutritionsuu@gmail.com! Thanks for reading :)

- Heather