“Savor the Flavor of Eating Right” is the theme for March since it is National Nutrition Month. The month is used to promote awareness of making the right food choices and having an active, healthy lifestyle. Elizabeth Sloan, assistant director of dietetics, and Sherry Foret, instructor of dietetics, provided five important factors to always keep in mind when trying to be healthy on campus that can easily be carried over to the workplace in the future.
Staying Active
The dietitians first recommended walking to class and around campus, as well as taking advantage of the Recreational Center. Whether it is riding a bike, walking or jogging around campus, lifting weights at the rec or playing any of the sports available there, students have ample opportunity to get their blood pumping after a long day of class or studying.
Fruits and Veggies
Bringing fruits and vegetables from home or even buying them from The Grid in the student union or Jazzman’s Café is something students could do throughout the day as a way of getting healthy food into the body on the go. Sloan and Foret agree that a lunch bag, or simply a Ziploc bag, full of fruits and vegetables has enough energy and nutrients to fuel body your body through a whole day.
Hydration is Key
there are many water fountains located throughout Nicholls. This allows students to keep their water bottles full for during class or for studying so that the body can stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is an important key in being able to stay awake and alert all day as students take tests or quizzes or are simply doing an assignment. Also, using a reusable water bottle cuts down the cost of buying plastic water bottles and it is also better for the environment.
Relaxation
Taking homework outside to the quad or sitting under a tree on a bench while you work are great ways of getting outside and clearing the mind of the stress of college. Exercise taking breaks and get outside to relieve some stress. Sometimes being in a library or classroom all day can only make stress worse. Getting some sunshine on your face and taking breaths of fresh air will help cleanse the bad thoughts and negativity students face every day.
Vending Machines
The majority of the time vending machines are full of processed foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar, which only make people more tired and less motivated to be active in the long run. Eating things such as Pop tarts, chips and drinking sodas does not contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Bring food such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hummus, cheese sticks, carrot sticks and yogurt parfaits to snack on throughout the day. Students often are in a rush to get out of the door in the morning on the way to class and neglect to plan ahead for meals they miss from being in class. Sloan and Foret suggest packing snacks the night before so it is easy to grab in the morning.

National Nutrition Month recognizes healthy choices being made not only in the month of March but every day around America. It is important as students to remember that the food choices made today will affect the choices made tomorrow, and possibly forever. At Nicholls, the cafeteria, the student union, and Jazzman’s Café all provide healthy options for every meal of the day.