The Berkeley Beacon

Issue date: 4/6/06 Section: Lifestyle

Media Credit: Shaina Goelman

Winter is coming to a close and it will soon be time to shed those extra pounds packed on during the frigid months.

Although some find it impossible to avoid gaining the dreaded freshmen 15, both registered dieticians and students agree this seemingly insurmountable goal is attainable.

Robyn Kievit is a family nurse practitioner and registered dietician who started Around the Table with Robyn, an open forum where she eats dinner with students in Emerson's dining hall.

This program started in March as a combination of HERstory Month and National Nutrition Month. Six people attended the first dinner meeting. Around the Table with Robyn will be held every month, but be sure to e-mail her and RSVP because there is a limit of ten students for a more intimate and laid back setting.

The next dinner will be on Tuesday, April 25 at 6:15 p.m. These meetings often have themes, such as dietary supplements, heart health and how to read a food label. Kievit insists, though, that students are not limited to these themes; they can ask anything they would like regarding nutrition.

"There are a ton of healthy options; you just need to know how to navigate around what you need," Kievit said. "Try writing down what you are eating for a week or two. This shows what you are eating and how you can make improvements."

Joanne Keaveney, a registered dietician and part-time professor in the department of communication sciences and disorders at Emerson, counsels students on how to maintain a balanced diet with dining hall food. Keaveney, a TV media consultant, has worked on nutrition stories for New England Cable News (NECN) and has also held gigs with CNN and ABC News.

"I really believe with the right choices most students will not gain weight," Keaveney said.

But what are these "right choices"?

Keaveney provided ways to help students stay healthy and avoid gaining extra weight.



Tips on Staying Healthy

in College



First is the essential rule to not skip any meals, as this lowers your metabolism.

"It is important to spread the wealth throughout the day," Keaveney said, meaning you should have an equal amount of calories for every meal.

Second, always eat breakfast. Breakfast is the meal that starts your metabolism, Keaveney said.

"It's like starting the engine to your car," Keaveney said. "The gas tank is empty until you eat."

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools