As if heading to college isn’t already overwhelming, hearing rumors like the freshman 15 are enough to put some of us over the edge. Well, fear no more, the freshman 15 is just a myth! According to a 2011 study published in Social Science Quarterly, freshman students gain 2.5 to 3.5 pounds on average during their first year in college. The Freshman 2.5 isn’t quite as ominous as the Freshman 15. This is a new beginning, a time to make your own decisions. Why not start with a few tips of how to keep healthy as you begin this next chapter of your life! Mindful offerings meet stringent nutritional criteria based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Each meal part is limited in calories, has fewer than 30% of calories as fat, fewer than 10% of calories as saturated fat, and is restricted in sodium, and cholesterol. Chefs in our test kitchen develop recipes to meet these criteria in delicious fashion! Look for the Mindful icon to indulge in the healthy and delicious items offered at each meal. Sodexo has partnered with MyFitnessPal, a diet and fitness community that enables users to track their nutritional intake, as well as their exercise, to help them achieve their weight loss and fitness goals. For more information on this program go to myfitnesspal.com. If you are afflicted with one of the eight most common food allergies (Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Soy, Shellfish, Peanuts, Tree Nuts and Gluten), then meals offered as part of the Simple Servings station at Cobeen may be perfect for your needs. You can get a great meal during lunch and dinner, freshly prepared and ready for you with the knowledge that it is free from these allergens. Gina Villani Dietitian Sodexo Campus Services Marquette University T: 414-288-6365 E: Gina.Villani@mu.edu marquette.sodexomyway.com BEATING the Freshman 15 SLEEP Although you may not be able to contain your excitement for college, you have to remember to let your body rest. Adequate sleep allows your body to stay stress free, which helps to keep your metabolism running at a steady pace. EAT BREAKFAST Having a balanced breakfast in the morning revs up your metabolism and fuels your brain and muscles. Research shows that students who eat breakfast have a better attention span, improved concentration, and perform better on exams. BE ACTIVE Between all of the studying and homework, make sure you find time to get up and move! College can be stressful and exercise is one of the best stress relievers. As little as 15 minutes of exercise can help! Take a walk, hit the gym, or jog around campus. DINING 101 There are so many different options to choose from, but not all of them are healthy. Get to know your options on campus. For healthier alternatives, look for words like: marquette.sodexomyway.com baked, boiled, grilled, roasted, and steamed. Follow the MyPlate guide when choosing you next meal. Also look for the Simple Servings station at Cobeen Hall. While Simple Servings was designed for people with food allergies, it also offers healthier options. Mindful is Sodexo’s health and wellness platform and offers selections that are lower in fat, Trans fat and sodium. You can find Mindful items by looking for the icon. Both are great ways to increase your nutrition on campus. SNACK SMART With classes, studying, sports, and homework you always have to make sure that your body and brain are fueled and ready to work. Eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner are important, but so is eating between meals. Eating small snacks throughout the day helps to keep your metabolism consistent. A combination of carbohydrates and protein are the best snacks. try these! : • Apples/celery with peanut butter • Whole grain cereal with milk • Fruit and yogurt • Hard-boiled eggs DON’T DRINK YOUR CALORIES Sometimes we only concentrate on actual foods that go into our bodies, but what about what we drink? Limiting sugary drinks and alcohol will help to maintain weight and overall health. Substituting water, milk, and tea are great options to improve your daily diet. TALK TO AN EXPERT Did you know that Marquette Dining has a dietitian right on campus? She can help guide you toward healthy food choices. Our dietitian is also an expert concerning food allergies and other food related issues. If questions arise about dietary needs, contact Gina Villani, your campus dietitian. TRACK IT If you are looking to improve or change your eating habits, the best way is to track what you are eating. Studies shown that the use of phone applications like MyFitnessPal can significantly help to maintain a healthy lifestyle and improve eating habits. Look for nutrition and ingredient information on cards posted at the serving stations in dining locations, as well as on the Marquette Dining Services website. Sodexo offers a nutrient tracking system linked to the dining services site. For these great tools and more, check out the Marquette Dining Services website at: https://marquette.sodexomyway.com/ health/index.html Check out your campus dining website for more information