Culinary professors, students advise campus about eating

Though finding a healthy meal can seem like more of a struggle than it’s worth when you’re surrounded by fast food resturants, it can be easy once you know how and where to look.

Alabama has a 33 percent prevalence of obesity, according to the Center for Disease Control. College students gain three to 10 pounds during the first two years of their college careers, according to kidshealth.org. A way to beat these statistics comes from a healthy diet.

Students who live in the dorms may find it hard to eat healthy when McDonalds is such a short drive away. Students also face the cost of preparing their own meals.

“The best way to save money is to make multiple meals by cooking one thing,” said Tyler Layne, culinary arts and nutrition major.

Layne said he may eat the same meal three or four times in a week, but he saves money.

“You can’t be picky,” he said.

In terms of cooking ahead of time, Layne said he finds recipes online.

Students need to know what they have at home and make a menu before going to the grocery store, said Johnson Ogun, director of culinary arts.

You should be able to spend less than $5 on a meal, said Prema Monteiro, assistant professor of culinary arts.

“A lot of it is more of a time factor,” said Jill Englett, instructor of human environmental sciences. “In reality, it’s not really cheaper, it’s more conventional.”

When students check grocery store advertisements before they go shopping, they can cook cheaper than eating from a drive-thru, Englett said.

She said frozen vegetables have more preserved nutrients because the vitamins and nutrients are broken down through sunlight, and recommends buying fruit that’s in season since it tends to be cheaper.

Layne said he can usually buy fruits and vegetables for less than $1.

“You don’t have to sacrifice flavor for nutrition,” Ogun said.

He said chicken is good as a main ingredient because it can be used it in different dishes.

Rice is another good product, because it can be cooked with any meat, Ogun said.

It’s just a matter of buying wisely, he said. Generic products are no different than brand-name products in terms of quality and quantity.

These products tend to be on the top or bottom shelf, because consumers are more likely to buy what’s at their eye level, he said.

The cost of health in the long term because of fast food is more expensive than the toll it takes on a student’s bank account to buy groceries, Englett said.

“Hypertension (high blood pressure), strokes and high cholesterol will cost money,” she said. “Pay more up front than in the long run.”

Physical activity aside, a healthy diet will aid in weight loss and general overall health, Layne said.

“Anytime you cut out extra sweets and extra carbs, you definitely feel better and sleep better,” he said.

Layne says grocery shopping is easy if one rule is followed.

“Stay on the perimeter of the grocery store,” he said.