Rouana Dunbar
Many college students are choosing to eat fatty fast foods over foods that are healthier for them, which can lead to a path of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity later in life.
“Students have to make better (food) choices,” said Laurence Thouin Jr., PhD, Pierce College professor in the life sciences department.
Thouin suggests that students are busy running from class to work “wolfing” down food that is unhealthy and not taking the time to make healthier choices.
One study found that almost 70 percent of students get fewer than the recommended 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
College campuses tend to have a variety of food choices, but the unhealthy food choices
Are more accessible, like the many vending machines at Pierce that contain more food choices that are high in sugar and salt than ones that are low-fat and healthy.
The vending machines at Pierce contain 75 percent of high-in-fat and sugar snack foods like candy bars and chips. The remaining 25 percent contain snack foods that are low in fat and sugar, like nuts and fruit snacks.
During an informal survey conducted at Pierce, students were asked what they eat when they are on campus and a majority of them answered “fast food.”
“Sometimes I go to the cafeteria and sometimes I bring fast food with me,” said Pierce student Joyce Dale, 29.
Dale says she does not think whether what she is about to eat is unhealthy or healthy.
“I don’t choose (food) I get it and eat it.”
Recent studies have proven the “Freshman 15” theory, which states that college freshman gain up to 15 pounds their first year.
Nutritionists Collegehealth.org, an informational Web site about health issues concerning college students, says college offers many temptations of fatty foods and unhealthy food choices which can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
“I do believe they (students) gain weight when entering college,” says Dale.
In 2002, USA Today ran an article titled, “College eating habits clogged with fat” by Nanci Hellmich, which was written after a four year research study was conducted by Tufts University in Medford, Mass which found that 60 percent of college students eat too much artery-clogging saturated fat.
The study also found that “the eating habits men and women develop during college years often follow into their 20s and 30s.”
Pierce offers healthier food choices on campus at the cafeteria and the Freudian Sip, such as salads, fruits, and sandwiches.
“You as a person are in control of what you eat. Balance is the key to healthy eating. Too much high in fat food is unhealthy,” says Thouin.
Collegehealth.org says that unhealthy food choices also won’t give you the balance of nutrients needed to keep up with the demands of college.
You may notice that your energy lags and your concentration and memory suffer.
Thouin suggests that eating foods like tuna sandwiches, yogurt, and salads are better food choices students can make than eating foods like burritos.
With this trend of fast food being eaten more frequently than healthy food, many students have something to think about, which is what they put in their mouth.
“We don’t spend enough time to make good choices,” says Thouin.
The good news is that it’s never too late to make changes in your eating habits.
College is a stressful time. With a few simple changes in you eating habits can fend off excess weight and promote a healthier lifestyle.
Carlo Mancia. An electronics and French major, spends his lunch break eating meatballs and chicken soup from the cafeteria. Mancia’s choice of dessert is chocolate cake and drinks an Arizona green tea. (Patti Loomis)