Dont Fear Fast Food

Two students explain how they sustain a healthy lifestyle while still being able to eat fast food.

                  While not resorting to fast food often, many use it to fall back on when life gets hectic.

                  “When I get fast food, I don’t always eat healthy because the temptation is too high” said Connor Kristof, biochemistry sophomore. “But I tend to counteract the unhealthy food with a trip to the gym or a healthier meal later in the day.”

                  Like most things, fast food can be okay in moderation.

                  “It’s not good to eat fast food all the time, but every once in a while won’t kill you” said Jennifer Ray, Registered Dietitian. “The only thing I really advise not to do ever is drink soda. I haven’t had soda since I was a kid and I really preach no soda.”

                  Fast food doesn’t always have to be unhealthy. There are many options that can make fast food meals more beneficial to your health.

                  “If I get fast food, I might get a burger, but I get it without cheese and mayonnaise” said Kerstie Moran, marketing sophomore. “I also get it in a smaller size, like the kids size because I feel like adult portions at fast food restaurants are way too big. A kids size is all I need.”

                  Fast food can even be helpful sometimes.

                  “I know many people might not have time make meals to take with them, so fast food can often be a big help” said Ray. “Many fast food restaurants have salads and healthier options so fast food can be doable if approached in the right manner”

Say No to Fad Diets

Samantha Bottoms realizes that a lifestyle change, not dieting, is the way to lose weight and keep it off.

                  “I have been dieting on and off my entire life,” said Samantha Bottoms, accounting sophomore. “It’s not until recently that I have finally come to the conclusion that all of these diets are ‘fad’ diets and may help me lose weight quickly, but won’t help me keep weight off in the long run.”

                  Some of these “fad” diets may even be dangerous to someone’s health.

                  “So many people these days go on drastic crash diets because they want to lose weight quickly, not the hard way”, said Jennifer Ray, Registered Dietitian at the OUHSC. “For example, the HCG diet is a diet where a person takes a supplement and only eats about 500 calories a day. Sure, they might lose weight quickly, but so few calories will have a harmful effect on their body as well.”

                  For Samantha, the only diet that has actually worked for her is the “eating healthfully” diet.

                  “I’ve tried the Slim Fast diet, the grapefruit diet, the no carb diet, and many others.” Bottoms said. “All of these diets only seem to make me really grumpy and then not actually be effective in the long run. I find that the only diet that has truly kept weight off and made me feel better about myself is not even a diet at all. It is merely a lifestyle change. I eat in moderation and try to eat healthier and I don’t seem to have problems with my body anymore”.

Off Campus Advantage

Students who live in off campus apartments are taking advantage of the fully equipped gyms that often come included in their rent.

Kerstie Moran, marketing sophomore, lives at the Crimson Park apartments, which include a fully equipped gym.

“The fact that these apartments have a gym is a real advantage. I have a super busy schedule and don’t have the money to pay for a commercial gym, so having a gym included in my rent is a definite plus.” Moran said.

Convenience can be a motivator to be healthier as well.

“Many teenagers have busy schedules with part time jobs and school that it can be hard for them to stay healthy. That is why the gyms at apartment complexes are so helpful. If they don’t have to drive to go work out, they will be that much more inclined to actually do it because they can just walk two minutes and be there.” Said Heather Kirkes, Registered Dietitian at the Huston Huffman Fitness Center.

Many of these gyms are fully equipped with a wide array of machines and weights.

“My gym at Crimson Park has pretty much everything I could ever want” Moran said. “There are plenty of treadmills, ellipticals and bikes so I can get a different work out all the time. “

According to Moran, there is only one fault to having one gym in a large apartment complex.

“The only problem is that it can get kind of crowded sometimes! There are specific times when it seems like everyone wants to work out, but I don’t blame them because it’s a great gym”

Student works late hours on a healthy diet

Jessica Truitt stays healthy despite working long hours at Outback Steakhouse.

            “It can be really hard to eat healthily while working around yummy food all day” said Jessica Truitt, psychology sophomore. “I see lots of people eating fattening things like the Bloomin’ Onion appetizer, and it makes me crave unhealthy foods.”

            A lot of the time, eating at a restaurant doesn’t have to break the calorie bank.

            “Many restaurants nowadays have healthier options.” Said Jennifer Ray, Registered Dietitian. “If there aren’t any so called ‘healthy options’, many restaurants will customize meals to meet the needs of the customers. If you get grilled chicken and vegetables, ask for no oil. It really cuts out a lot of calories”.

            Truitt says despite her late hours, she never skips a meal.

            “If I go into work at 4:00 pm and leave when the restaurant closes, I make sure to eat something before I go in. This really helps me not crave the foods I see and smell while working. I also make sure to eat a small snack when I get off work as well, so I don’t get ravenous after not eating for a long period of time.”

            Truitt occasionally indulges in dessert after work so she isn’t too restrictive in her diet.

            “I love the ‘waffle’ dessert we have right now. It is so delicious. But I often share it with the other hosts and hostesses I work with. It helps me with portion control. Even though I do indulge, I still consider my diet very healthy and balanced despite my lack of time to prepare meals.”