Unhealthy College Habits Pt. II
Five alternatives to help college students finish the fall semester on top, and begin spring semester in full health
Ivanna Elliott
Issue date: 11/23/09 Section: Health
If you sit inside any college classroom you will see at least one of these things: students drinking coffee, chewing gum, eating a bag of chips, munching on some other type of junk food, etc.
There is no question why college students tend to gain a considerable amount of weight during their four-five years of undergraduate study. But there has to be a healthier way of living.
Before college, most students lived at home and their eating habits were more scheduled. Melanie Badash, a college freshmen from Long Island, stated that at home she ate on a regular schedule, "My parents are health nuts, and we stuck to our schedule," she said. But now in college "I eat mainly one huge meal a day, and that's around four at night. I think I've gained weight, I'm pretty sure I have."
Here are five unhealthy habits practiced by many college students, and healthy alternatives so they can kiss that excess weight and irresponsibility goodbye and help to ensure that it will never return:
1. Sleep Deprivation.
Between the classes, the intense workload, study groups, parties, weekends, drinking, and all the other activities that college students have on their plate, it doesn't leave a lot of time for the recommended eight to ten hours of sleep.
Alternative #1: Set a schedule, and be sure to set out seven to ten hours for sleep. Caffeine is not the answer.
2. Binge Drinking
Alcohol consumption is the leading cause of an estimated 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape each year. Two-thirds of the violence on college campuses is caused from alcohol. Drinking on college campuses has been a problem in America for some time now. The cause of drinking ranges from first time freedom to students attempting to fit in. Drinking poses several health risks including the fact that heavy drinking can and will do damage to ones liver.
Alternative #2: Although to the young mind that may believe they have a good reason for drinking it is nothing compared to the consequences of irresponsible drinking. Drinking relieves stress for students, and takes them away from their work, and the every day drama of college life. The only alternative for students is to be smart, drink to your limit, and find other ways to have fun such as: partying without being under the influence of alcohol, or get a hobby, go bowl, ice skate, play cards, play board games, etc.
3. Unprotected Sex.
This is one of the most serious health risk that can be avoided by college students. Unprotected sex leaves one susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
Alternative #3. In order to minimize the risk of catching STD's students and anyone sexually active must wear condoms or abstain from sex. Take a Health course to gain more knowledge about this issue and so many others.
4.Soda, juice drinks, and bottled water.
A can of soda can have over 140 calories. On top of that fact, the Official US Guidelines advise a maximum of 40 grams of sugar per every 2000 calories ingested. Most popular soda drinks, such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Seven Up, etc., have over 40 grams of sugar in one can . Juice drinks, such as Hawaiian punch, and Capri Sun are not 100% juice. They are contain high fructose corn syrup, water, and artificial flavoring. While bottled water does have its benefits, it is not eco-friendly, and it's costly. Water should be free.
Alternative #4: Brita (or any other filtered water systems) and 100% Juice. To become healthy one must cut out unhealthy habits, such as drinking soda. The sugar, caffeine, and calories that are in soda are unnecessary. Water and 100% juice are not only delicious, but they're great for your body, their benefits are countless. A Brita filtration system is great for the dorm room because it is reusable, inexpensive, and pays for itself after a few uses. Instead of bottled water, try buying a reusable water bottle, and wash and refill it.
5.Top Ramen Noodles.
Photo courtesy of Ivanna Elliott.
One package of Ramen noodles contains 910 milligrams of salt. It's a quick fix to hunger, but there are better alternatives. If you have a stove a great alternative would be to cook the noodles and add vegetables. The flavor packet is what contains the ridiculous amount of salt. Living in a dorm, you may not have access to a stove. So for quick and healthy fixes to hunger here are a few suggestions:
Alternative #5: Apple sauce, Fruit, oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, nuts/trail mix, tuna, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, pudding, string cheese, salad, and yogurt. All of these are healthy alternatives that can meet a college students budget, and will help maintain your weight.
The "Freshmen 15" is not a joke, for many freshmen it is reality. The average weight gained by freshmen females in America is 7 pounds. What can we do to begin to decrease the issue of weight gain at SUNY Albany? Here's a segment that I did for ATV 360:
Watch FRP - Ivanna Elliott - Wellness Center Story in News | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
There is no question why college students tend to gain a considerable amount of weight during their four-five years of undergraduate study. But there has to be a healthier way of living.
Before college, most students lived at home and their eating habits were more scheduled. Melanie Badash, a college freshmen from Long Island, stated that at home she ate on a regular schedule, "My parents are health nuts, and we stuck to our schedule," she said. But now in college "I eat mainly one huge meal a day, and that's around four at night. I think I've gained weight, I'm pretty sure I have."
Here are five unhealthy habits practiced by many college students, and healthy alternatives so they can kiss that excess weight and irresponsibility goodbye and help to ensure that it will never return:
1. Sleep Deprivation.
Between the classes, the intense workload, study groups, parties, weekends, drinking, and all the other activities that college students have on their plate, it doesn't leave a lot of time for the recommended eight to ten hours of sleep.
Alternative #1: Set a schedule, and be sure to set out seven to ten hours for sleep. Caffeine is not the answer.
2. Binge Drinking
Alcohol consumption is the leading cause of an estimated 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape each year. Two-thirds of the violence on college campuses is caused from alcohol. Drinking on college campuses has been a problem in America for some time now. The cause of drinking ranges from first time freedom to students attempting to fit in. Drinking poses several health risks including the fact that heavy drinking can and will do damage to ones liver.
Alternative #2: Although to the young mind that may believe they have a good reason for drinking it is nothing compared to the consequences of irresponsible drinking. Drinking relieves stress for students, and takes them away from their work, and the every day drama of college life. The only alternative for students is to be smart, drink to your limit, and find other ways to have fun such as: partying without being under the influence of alcohol, or get a hobby, go bowl, ice skate, play cards, play board games, etc.
3. Unprotected Sex.
This is one of the most serious health risk that can be avoided by college students. Unprotected sex leaves one susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
Alternative #3. In order to minimize the risk of catching STD's students and anyone sexually active must wear condoms or abstain from sex. Take a Health course to gain more knowledge about this issue and so many others.
4.Soda, juice drinks, and bottled water.
A can of soda can have over 140 calories. On top of that fact, the Official US Guidelines advise a maximum of 40 grams of sugar per every 2000 calories ingested. Most popular soda drinks, such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Seven Up, etc., have over 40 grams of sugar in one can . Juice drinks, such as Hawaiian punch, and Capri Sun are not 100% juice. They are contain high fructose corn syrup, water, and artificial flavoring. While bottled water does have its benefits, it is not eco-friendly, and it's costly. Water should be free.
Alternative #4: Brita (or any other filtered water systems) and 100% Juice. To become healthy one must cut out unhealthy habits, such as drinking soda. The sugar, caffeine, and calories that are in soda are unnecessary. Water and 100% juice are not only delicious, but they're great for your body, their benefits are countless. A Brita filtration system is great for the dorm room because it is reusable, inexpensive, and pays for itself after a few uses. Instead of bottled water, try buying a reusable water bottle, and wash and refill it.
5.Top Ramen Noodles.
Photo courtesy of Ivanna Elliott.One package of Ramen noodles contains 910 milligrams of salt. It's a quick fix to hunger, but there are better alternatives. If you have a stove a great alternative would be to cook the noodles and add vegetables. The flavor packet is what contains the ridiculous amount of salt. Living in a dorm, you may not have access to a stove. So for quick and healthy fixes to hunger here are a few suggestions:
Alternative #5: Apple sauce, Fruit, oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, nuts/trail mix, tuna, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, pudding, string cheese, salad, and yogurt. All of these are healthy alternatives that can meet a college students budget, and will help maintain your weight.
The "Freshmen 15" is not a joke, for many freshmen it is reality. The average weight gained by freshmen females in America is 7 pounds. What can we do to begin to decrease the issue of weight gain at SUNY Albany? Here's a segment that I did for ATV 360:
Watch FRP - Ivanna Elliott - Wellness Center Story in News | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com