The Daily O’Collegian

But “college student” and “broke” are almost synonymous. When you’re late for class, nutrition might be the last thing on your mind.

Dreaded by everyone, it can happen to anyone.

The “freshman 15,” or the 15 pounds students tend to gain their first year of college, is an unfortunate reality. Some students have trouble avoiding it, as healthy eating options can be too expensive for a frugal college student or take too long on a tight schedule. Sometimes, McDonald’s or Taco Mayo is a more attractive option than a home-cooked meal.

A number of different factors can lead students to gaining weight, said Elizabeth Lohrman, a registered dietician at the Seretean Wellness Center.

“There’s new temptations being away from home and being free to eat whatever they want, whenever they want,” Lohrman said. “College students are usually always in a hurry so it’s easy to just grab things and not pay attention to how much they’re eating.”

It’s important for everyone to eat healthy because not only does it make people feel better and more energized, but it also allows the brain to function better, Lohrman said.

For some students, eating healthy can be a financial burden.

Katy Hallam, a marketing senior, said she finds it hard to afford the healthy foods at grocery stores.

“If you go to McDonald’s you have the dollar menu, so when you compare that to buying expensive groceries and then having to cook the meal, it’s much easier to go with the McDonald’s,” Hallam said.

Hallam, who was used to her parents always preparing nutritious meals at home, said she thinks one reason college students gain weight is because they are away from home with more freedom.

“Most healthy food involves cooking,” Hallam said. “I try to eat foods that are better for me, but it’s really hard to fit it in with my busy schedule and I can’t really cook.”

Ryan Nicklas, a landscape contracting sophomore, said it’s not hard for him to eat healthy and stay within budget.

“If you think about it, if you’re eating at fast food restaurants everyday that money adds up,” Nicklas said. “It’s not that hard or expensive to just get groceries and cook them at home.”

The best way to avoid weight gain is choosing healthy alternatives, Lohrman said.

“A lot of students eat on campus with meal cards and it’s often tempting to go for the foods that aren’t so healthy,” Lohrman said. “Now a lot of fast food restaurants are offering healthy items like fruit cups, grilled chicken and salads so students should choose those types of things.”

The best way to get nutritious food without spending a lot of money is always watching for items going on sale, Lohrman said.

The best way to keep in shape and avoid the freshman, sophomore, junior or even senior 15 is to stay active and watch portion sizes, Lohrman said.

“Working out can help with stress and weight gain,” Lohrman said. “Students just need to take a break from what they are doing and work out and sit down to have a healthy meal.”

The Seretean Wellness Center offers a variety of services to students who are wanting to get healthy. Nutrition counseling, cooking classes and wellness screenings are just a few of the many they offer.

If students have questions, it’s also a good idea to visit the Web site at www.wellness.okstate.edu, Lorman said.

Getting educated on nutrition is the best way to start a healthy diet, Hallam said.

“Being a college student I know it’s hard, but even if buying nutritious food is more expensive, I guess it really can’t measure up to how important it is to be healthy,” Hallam said.