The Center for the Study of Human Health and Emory Dining are sponsoring a Talk & Cooking Demo by Registered Dietitian Wendy Jo Peterson at Food EU on Thursday, April 25th beginning at noon.  For additional details, see our Events page!

As you return back to campus, or if you are just beginning your journey through the University, you will once again face the question, “What’s for Lunch?”  We are regularly reminded that our country is facing an obesity epidemic (see http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/ for more information), though we all struggle with making the “right choice.”  Everyone’s nutritional needs are different, impacted by their exercise habits, food allergies/intolerances, age, and sex.  Our choices are further impacted by our likes and dislikes, cultural history, and even our knowledge of cooking!

There are many things you can do to start the year off right.  For example, keep healthy snacks on hand, eat breakfast to help prevent a crash mid-morning, and try new fruits and vegetables as you come across them to open up new exciting food options.  A number of online resources are available to help you learn more about what it means to eat healthy.

• ChooseMyPlate.gov, for example, provides an overview of government recommendations for nutrition, including how to read food labels, how to portion your plate wisely (50% fruits and veggies, 25% protein, and 25% whole grains with a side of dairy at each meal), and tools to help you assess your diet.
• MyBestHealthPortal.com recently featured a number of tips for college students with specific advice on how to make healthier choices when facing the open-ended buffet that is the dining hall.
• Additionally, Emory provides you with access to all of the nutritional information for items served on campus at http://www.emory.edu/dining/diet_nutrition.php.

Take the time this year to make a commitment to healthy eating!