Hello Everyone!

Welcome back from spring break! Hopefully everyone was able to take a much needed rest before diving head first into the 10 week stretch we have left before summer. At this point, we have been working and studying hard since the beginning of last semester, and as a result, many students may be feeling burnt out, tired, and having trouble keeping up with school work. I did some research to find out what kind of diet we should follow to help us power through the remainder of the semester.

Having trouble staying focused? A study, from UNSW Australia, found that diet-induced inflammation can influence how certain parts of the brain function. This research finds that a diet consistently high in saturated fats and refined sugars, causes inflammation of the hippocampus, which is responsible for converting short-term memory into long-term memory. In other words, junk food makes it harder for you to retain all that info you just listened to in class. Foods containing saturated fats and trans fats, as well as refined sugars, should be avoided as much as possible.

The Solution! According to a study from The New York Academy of Sciences, we should be consuming foods with good fats and vitamins that promote brain health. Omega-3 is a fatty acid that has been shown to have positive effects on the brain, and can be found in salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as flax seed, walnuts, and canola oil. Conveniently, these sources also contain high amounts of vitamins, including vitamins B6, B12, D, and E, which are also essential for better cognitive function.

The same study found that another important nutrient, flavonoids, have significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and are found mainly in fresh fruits and vegetables, tea, and dark chocolate. Flavonoids create the pigments in produce, so try to buy as many different colored fruits and vegetables as you can. Finally, exercise is important to cognitive function because it causes the release of a hormone called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, that stimulates the growth of new neurons. As you might be able to guess, this helps build stronger neuropathways for better memory.

To recap:

1. Stay away from processed, fried, sugary, prepackaged, high-caloric, junk foods.
2. Eat more Seafood (or legumes if you’re Vegan)! Seafood contains one of the highest amounts of Omega-3 and is much healthier than other meat products. Try grilling some salmon coated in black pepper and lemon juice with a side of sweet potato fries, or some hummus on multi-grain tortilla chips.
3. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables! Slice up some bell pepper, celery, or carrots and dip it in peanut butter. Find a salad that you can enjoy, you don’t have to eat the “greenest” looking bowl out there just to be healthy; start small.
4. Get out and exercise! The weather is getting nicer, so try taking a walk or going for a jog. Think….not only are you building muscles, you’re building a better capacity for memory.

Picture of the brain at work.

Resources:

• Beilharz, J. E., Maniam, J., & Morris, M. J. (2015, August 12). Diet-Induced Cognitive Deficits: The Role of Fat and Sugar, Potential Mechanisms and Nutritional Interventions. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/7/8/5307/htm
• Tucker, K. L. (2016, April 26). Nutrient intake, nutritional status, and cognitive function with aging. Retrieved from https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nyas.13062

Hello Everyone!

Since it’s National Nutrition Month, I thought it would be a good idea to share some healthy snacking tips. Studying can be hard, and what we eat can influence how well we perform both physically and mentally. Many college students opt for snacks that are high in calories and full of additives, seasonings, and sugar, because it’s an instant reward; and let’s be real – junk food tastes like heaven, especially when we’re stressed and tired. So, here are some healthy and tasty snacks that you can reach for while you’re studying:

1. Popcorn – In a 3 cup serving of air-popped popcorn there is 3 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber! This makes it a great source of fiber. Just make sure you don’t eat the highly salted and buttered version.
2. Veggies – Baby carrots, sugar snap peas, celery, and bell peppers can provide that crunch you’re looking for. Add in some peanut butter or your fav dip and you’ll have a healthy snack!
3. Pita Chips – These can be made from scratch or bought, and are a healthier alternative to potato chips. However, make sure you read the label before grabbing them off the shelf. Opt for the baked, not fried, varieties, and seasoned, not salted. Watch the fat and sodium amounts!
4. Salted Cucumber Slices – Sprinkle a pinch of salt over some freshly sliced cucumber, and you have yet another crunchy and delicious snack. With just 16 calories in a cup of cucumber, it makes a great low-calorie food!
5. Almonds – They are an excellent source of protein and fiber. Again, read the nutrition label! Many brands add a lot of salt to nuts.
6. Trail Mix – This is another great option! However, you must be careful, as many trail mixes add too much sugar in the form of chocolate or candy.

Here are some delicious dip ideas:

1. Salsa – It’s a great way to add some extra veggies to the diet, and it packs a lot of flavor!
2. Hummus – I know…you’ve heard this one before. It lives up to its reputation though! Made with chickpeas, it makes a great source of plant-based protein!
3. Guacamole – A yummy way to add that ever-popular avocado to your diet.
4. Greek Yogurt – Try this as a dip for fruits or veggies. If you’re having tacos, throw some plain Greek yogurt on top instead of sour cream to cut out extra fat and provide more protein. Plus, no saturated fat!
5. Low-Fat Dressing – If you absolutely can’t live without your favorite dressing, go for the low-fat or low-cal versions. Read the nutrition labels! Many store-bought dressings add too much sugar and fat so they can make a sale. Don’t let them fool you!

So while you’re gearing up for an upcoming exam or finals week, take a second to analyze food before you buy it. It’s a good idea to look at what emotions you might be feeling when you’re browsing as well. Are you feeling stressed, upset, sad, angry, maybe even happy or excited? Take time to analyze your feelings to keep yourself from emotionally-influenced eating so you don’t end up feeling guilty later on when warmer weather arrives! You can do it!!!

Sliced green bell pepper, celery, and carrots with peanut butter as a dip.

Hello Everyone!

Spring is just around the corner, on March 20th to be exact! It’s that time of the year again, to lose those extra pounds we gained from the winter holidays. The upcoming month of March has earned the official title of National Nutrition Month. It is a campaign, by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, that focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. In light of this, there will be a few events held on our campus to give students the opportunity to reflect on their health-related lifestyle choices. Kathryn Szklany, RD, in collaboration with the dining centers, has recently been working on adding more healthy menu options to the dining facilities. One of the new health food options that we will be sampling next month will include the ever-popular chia seed pudding. It is expected that by next fall the pudding, as well as some other new dishes, will be officially added to the menus, to include more options for vegan and gluten-free foods.

In honor of National Nutrition Month you will find us in the Marano Campus Center or one of our many dining centers.  Please feel free to stop by and try something new and play Spin to Win for fun prizes!

Below are the date, location, and time for the chia seed pudding samplings:

• March 4th: MCC from 1:00-3:00pm
• March 7th: Lakeside from 11:30am-1:30pm
• March 12th: MCC from 11:30am-1:30pm
• March 13th: Pathfinder from 1:00-1:30pm
• March 14th: Cooper from 1:00-3:00pm
• March 27th: Littlepage from 11:30am-1:30pm

Chia Seed Pudding topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries!

Did you know that February is National Heart Health Month? The goal of this month is to spread awareness about heart disease and how to prevent it. Why is this important? Current statistics estimate that every year in the United States, 1 in 4 deaths can be attributed to heart disease. If you’re a college student, you might be thinking, “I’m young, why should I be concerned about that right now?” The simple answer to that is people at every age should always monitor their health and manage their lifestyle in a healthy way. Making good lifestyle and diet choices at a younger age, greatly contributes to the delay, or even evasion, of these deadly heart diseases as well as others that come with age.

So, how can we take care of our heart through nutrition? Here are some tips for making heart healthy choices.

1. Reduce Added Sugars: The American Heart Association recommends reducing overall added sugar consumption. Many processed foods contain added sugars, and a quick look at the nutrition label will tell you just how much you are getting per serving. Try finding alternative options that cut down on that added sugar, or better yet, go for the whole food alternative. Some of my favorite low sugar snacks are a part skim cheese stick with a clementine, celery with natural peanut butter and a few raisins and hard boiled eggs topped with guacamole.
2. Limit Saturated Fats: The AHA also suggests limiting overall consumption of saturated fats (unhealthy fats) and increasing plant-based fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (healthy fats). Good sources of these heart healthy fats include; avocados, nuts, peanut butter, olive oil, and other vegetable oils. Remember, not all fats are bad, in fact they are very essential to proper absorption of certain nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K. Add 2% milk, avocados and trail mix to your grocery list to enjoy some healthy fats!
3. Limit Salt Intake: Finally, AHA also says that limiting salt intake, especially from processed food sources, will greatly increase cardiovascular health. Keep in mind, too much salt in the diet results in excess fluids being contained in our blood vessels, this will result in high blood pressure. Try reaching for fresh seasonings instead of the salt shaker, cook with cilantro, scallions, cinnamon and cumin to add some extra flavor! Now that you’ve gained a little bit more information about good nutrition, think about what you’re eating before you grab it off the shelf and remember try to choose the options in the dining center with the heart next to them. Happy Heart Health Month!

                                      An info-graphic from the American Heart Association about processed food.

Hello Everyone!

My name is Breonna Rawson and I am one of the new nutrition interns working with Kathryn Szklany, Registered Dietitian, this semester! I am excited to have the opportunity to share my passion about food and nutrition to my fellow classmates, and to get a closer look into the responsibilities of an on-campus registered dietitian. Currently, I am majoring in Biology and have a minor in Nutrition. I plan on completing a masters degree in Nutrition Science at Syracuse University to become an RD, once I have finished my BA at SUNY Oswego.

I do not live on campus, but I have been to the dining halls several times and was surprised by many of the healthy choices that were available despite my earlier suspicions. Being a commuter, I often find it difficult to set aside time at home where I can shop for and cook my own healthy meals. I hope to discuss with others the issues that college students face when trying to make healthy choices, and maybe discover other ways to help students maintain a well-rounded diet even amidst a stressful schedule and tight budget!

         A selection of foods and ingredients from my own kitchen!