Nutritionists urge college students to eat healthier

Most college students struggle to maintain a healthy diet despite a hectic lifestyle.
According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, healthy eating is associated with a reduced risk for many diseases, including the three leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer and stroke.
For many college students, fast food restaurants can be a primary source for unhealthy eating habits that can come back and haunt today’s youth tomorrow.
Based on research conducted by Healthunit.org, fast foods are often high in fat, sodium and calories and low in fiber.
According to officials, eating foods heavy in both saturated and trans fats can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer.
Nutritionist with Healthunit.org said a typical fast food meal usually consists of a deluxe hamburger, large fries and a small chocolate shake adding up to a meal of more than 1700 calories and 70 grams of fat.
Martin Downs, a health expert with Webmed.com, said it is possible to have a healthy meal on the go with planning and just a few seconds of actual food preparation.
Downs said the main components of a healthy “briefcase breakfast” are protein and fiber with a low fat content. He said the meal should include no more than 5 grams of total fat and no more than 1 to 2 grams of saturated fat.
Many students at Southern University feel students should make an extra effort to establish more healthy eating habits.
“I try to eat healthy, but with a fast food restaurant on every corner, it’s kind of hard,” said Krystin Loper, a senior psychology major from Dallas.
Despite the hard task of eating healthy on the go, some students believe it’s a difficult feat worth attempting to maintain a better lifestyle.
“It’s tougher to eat healthy than it is to eat junk food when you are hungry and in a hurry,” said Christopher Bester, a senior biology major from Baton Rouge. “(But) I think people should try to make an attempt to eat healthy whenever possible.”
But the choice between eating healthier and consuming junk is one some college students say comes down to money.
“Fast food can be more convenient and cheaper than healthy food,” Loper said.