Healthy alternatives available on campus

It's a tough world out there for the healthy eater. And for the college student, it can be even worse. From 2 a.m. pizzas to chowing down fast food in between classes, trying to stay on a healthy eating plan is often a major challenge.\nBut thankfully for students, local experts have ways to make it through the maze of eating choices available.\n"Meal points make it easy to overeat," said sophomore Erin McShea, who had to face the many food options in the residence halls last year.\nRobin Lemieux, a registered dietitian for Residential Programs and Services, said healthy choices have recently been added to the meal point plans.\n"In response to student requests, we have started offering more vegetarian and lower fat entrees on the Homestyle concepts in the food courts," Lemieux said. "The C-store coordinator explores different products that would be healthier options for students."\nLemieux works with many students who have special dietary needs, which often can be met within the constraints of the meal plan options.\nIf a student has a request for a special food, he or she can contact a foods manager in the residence halls, Lemieux suggests. \nThe real contributor to weight gain and unhealthy diets is often not the foods served by RPS, but rather the negative choices made by students, Lemieux said. Smarter choices can be made by students both on and off campus.\n"I would start out by making smaller changes to my normal routine," Lemieux said. "For instance, if you drink a lot of soda, start by exchanging one of those sodas to water. It is amazing how many calories college students get in their beverage choices!" \nOther RPS suggestions include substituting fruit for candy and trying to include vegetables in every meal.\nIn the IMU, Kiva is a popular option for those looking for a healthy meal. Steve Richards, retail operations director for dining services, said Kiva gets less business than the upstairs restaurants in part because people do not know it is there. He adds that although people say they want healthy choices, "you still see a line down the hall at Burger King."\nRichards said the staff can be accommodating when students make a special request.\nWhile consistently healthier choices are key to eating better on campus, cutting out favorite foods altogether is not a smart decision.\n"For every deprivation, there is an equal and opposite binge," said Stacey Matavuli, a registered dietician for Bloomington Hospital Nutrition Therapy and an outreach educator for IU Health and Wellness. "If brownies are your thing, one or two a week -- in the right portion -- is okay."\nAlong with portion control, Matavuli said moderation at all times is the key to weight loss and maintenance for most students.\n"Alcohol consumption and eating out are a part of a normal, healthy lifestyle," Matavuli said. "Instead of having the notion that people have to be good during the week and can eat out on the weekends, people should do everything in moderation."\n-- Contact staff writer Kristin Wynkoop at kwynkoop@indiana.edu.