How can a college student help a roommate learn to eat healthier?

Toby Smithson on behalf of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Nutrition & Dietetics

Eating can be a very social activity. Having a friend for advice and discussion can help generate ideas for different meal options. Cooking and planning meals together can help strengthen the roomie bond as well. If at a dining hall, make mealtimes into a game and see who has a more “colorful” plate. The more colors, the more nutrients -- whoever has the most colors wins!

HealthCorps

You can initiate the change by sharing your healthy food. Being proactive and spreading the word to your roommates can help immensely. The “Freshman Spread” and the 20 extra pounds that a freshman may pack on come as a direct result of unhealthy eating.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Healthy Foods & Cooking

Do you want to cook healthier? With some simple tweaks, you can lighten up regular recipes for brownies, casseroles, and other tasty treats. Plan healthy meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner by learning about healthy food substitutions. For instance, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on cakes instead of using frosting. Reduce fat and calories in baked goods by cutting the fat ingredient such as butter or margarine by one-half and substituting a moist ingredient like applesauce, fat-free sour cream or orange juice. Read on to learn more tips about healthy foods and in no time you will be cooking healthy recipes for you and your family.

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