The Commons Dining Hall at Tulane University is not your grandfather’s school cafeteria.
NEW ORLEANS — A college student’s poor eating habits can lead to a lifetime of illness.
That’s what a recent study found.
The typical high-sugar, or high-calorie foods they eat, can set the stage for obesity, respiratory illnesses, and depression.
Now, a New Orleans university is changing that.
The Commons Dining Hall at Tulane University is not your grandfather’s school cafeteria.
Nope, this is a pinch of New Orleans gourmet, a dash of culinary treats, a sprinkle of variety, with a whole lot of wholesome nutrition.
“I think it’s been really easy for me to meet my health goals, especially now that I’ve tried switching to like a more healthy lifestyle,” said Tulane sophomore Arina Zhirkova.
Tulane students came back this semester to a new concept in the campus meal plan. Variety now meets the needs and desires that students asked for, like a station free of the nine most common food allergens, choices without dairy, or gluten, plant-based diets, and those for health goals, or religious, or medical restrictions.
“We also had a student reach out the other day, and said, ‘Hey, I just had a doctor’s appointment. Have a lot of questions based off of what they, we talked about. Like, can we set up a meeting?’” recalls registered dietician, Kaiten Zajac, Director of Health and Wellness for Tulane Hospitality.
She is one of two registered dieticians who are available to personally advise students. Remember, for the first time they are on their own, miles from home-cooked meals, and stocked pantries. And may not always make healthful choices.
“When you have a really stressful time period, lots of exams, midterms, things like that, you may gravitate towards more of those comforting foods,” explained Zajac.
I mean, we’ve all heard of the “Freshman 15.”
“As a dietician though, I do try to help people understand what that truly means. A lot of it is lifestyle changes, but I don’t like to use that terminology, because just because you’re a freshman, doesn’t mean that you’re destined to gain 15 pounds” explained Zajac.
Along with the coffee, and milk alternative, stations, there is information about nutrition, and substitutes whether you’re a Californian trying catfish for the first time, or you’re a premed freshman trying to make healthful choices.
“The food has been so much better in quality, and quantity. Like, there are so many options, healthy vegan, and then like of course like burgers, and fries, and stuff,” said Zoe Cappel, a Tulane freshman in premed from Lake Charles.
And it’s beneficial for a Green Wave athlete, who is an outside linebacker on the Tulane football team.
“I’m trying to gain weight, and I come here about three times a day. I come here, grab a big portion, protein. They have all the carbs, hydration. It’s truly, it’s really, really good,” said Tulane football player, and sophomore, Jah’rie Garner.
And while all of this may seem extra for college students, remember, all the lessons they learn in school will be with them for a lifetime.
Tulane Hospitality even has podcasts anyone can listen to about dietary health.
For more information, check out their Health and Wellness website by clicking here.
This article was originally published by a www.wwltv.com . Read the Original article here. .