Four tips for the next four years

Welcome back, readers, to my first column of the year in the first issue of Weekend of the year. Any of you who have been around for at least a semester remember me, and have hopefully decided you like me and my columns enough to keep reading them on a bi-weekly basis.

And because the objective of any mass publication medium is to always be hooking new readers, I think now’s a good time to talk to the freshmen a little and give them an idea of what’s going to happen to them and their relationship with food over the next four years. Since I started writing this column, I’ve never called myself an expert on any of the things I write about; so take my advice the way you would take your French fries – with at least a grain of salt.

Fat: One of the most pressing questions people have as they enter college is whether they’re going to gain the “freshman 15.” The truth is, college for most people is a saga of weight gain and loss: You’ll pack it on eating nothing but pizza from the food court as a freshman, lose most of it once you move out and learn to cook for yourself and gain it all back when you turn 21 and start pounding back a dozen beers a week for a year.

A little weight gain isn’t bad. Speaking from the female perspective, most of us probably starved ourselves enough in high school to actually deserve a 15-pound bump. Ride your bike or walk around town if it bothers you, but most of all, enjoy it. Our metabolisms are still going strong enough that weight will fall off after graduation, so slake that late-night pizza craving while you still can.

Ethnic food: Please don’t waste your time here by being a picky eater. Bloomington is crammed with restaurants that serve cuisine from every corner of the globe, and nothing will broaden your horizons more than striking up a conversation with a friendly restaurant owner who knows how to cook authentic, delicious food. And also, don’t forget to tip. Just because you’re a poor college student doesn’t mean you get out of this responsibility. Don’t go nuts with your scarce cash, but 10 to 15 percent of the bill is usually sufficient.

Drinking: I know I said I was writing this for freshmen, but you’re going to turn 21 someday– though until that day I’m sure you’ll be the strictest of teetotalers. For better or worse (I happen to think better), alcoholic drinks are a big part of social interaction in college, the U.S. and many countries worldwide. Even so, it would be a shame to let these years fly by in a drunken haze induced by beer-bonging cans of Natty Ice.

When you turn 21 – and this goes for you older folks too – go out for a nice beer once in a while. Make sure your palate knows the joys of what Upland and Bloomington brewing companies have to offer. Give wine a chance. Also, I’m obliged to tell you to drink responsibly and not do anything stupid. Don’t make me regret writing this column.

Cook for yourself: Even if the only things you have time to make are stir-fries and omelets, knowing your way around the kitchen is something that will serve you well all through life. If you stay in the dorms for four years, this probably isn’t an option, but considering most students move off campus after freshman year, for many of you it will be.

Finding your way past the boxed-and-frozen meals section of the supermarket will not only protect your pocketbook, but as I said before it’s a good way to keep your weight in check since you’ll know the nutritional content of what you’re eating. And the familiarity with raw foods cooking cultivates, plus the work they take to prepare, will make every meal taste better and more satisfying.