Tasty and Healthy Advice

Summer is almost here! Every day, our campus seems to be growing and becoming more beautiful and vibrant. On my daily commute to and from classes, I can't help but notice students wearing short sleeve tops, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers. The beautiful spring weather that came in a much needed cool breeze, gives most of us at Northwest Vista a breath of fresh air. I believe we are enjoying every second of it.

Crashing this spring breeze, like a surfer on a wave, is a desire for some to get a tad bit healthier and fit for summer. So what could the students and faculty do to augment their overall health and to potentially drop a belt size or two before the stroke of summer? As a way to answer my question, I decided to ask our professors here at NVC to see what advice and tips they could provide to our students.

Due to busy schedules, a lot of students at NVC may get little or no exercise on a daily basis. As a result, we are not as buff as we'd like. I asked Dr. Kurt J. Elliott, professor of anatomy and biology, if making a decision like taking the stairs - instead of the elevator - has any effect on the overall well being of those who didn't have the time to exercise. "One of the most important and neglected 'exercises' is to get a full night sleep," says Dr. Kurt J. Elliott. "Amazingly, this will have profound effects on overall health in terms of the immune and cardiovascular systems."

He continued, "Always take the stairs, and after an hour or two of studying, get up and walk for 30 to 45 minutes around our beautiful campus."

I know this may be hard for some of us to do, but the benefits are well worth it. "This will have two effects--better health and better memory retention," says Dr. Elliott. Memory retention is always a plus for those of us who cram for a test and for those who give the exam.

I then asked Leticia Guererro, professor of nutrition and anatomy, for a few more pointers on what we could change in our diet that would have some effect toward a healthy weight loss.

"Avoid excessive consumption," says Guererro. "Smaller portions are recommended, so that you feel satisfied and not stuffed," she added.

So instead of eating the whole box of pizza, eat one or two slices. But pizza is not an ideal diet food; so what should our faculty and students look for in a potential meal?

"Consuming foods that are high in fiber, low in energy density, high in water and low in fat will make you feel full for a longer period of time," says Guererro. "Read the ingredient label (especially the servings), limit sedentary activities, and watch your empty kilocalorie intake from sugar and alcohol. Empty kilocalories are foods that provide calories but do not provide nutrients," advised Guererro. I'm sure there are a few of us out there who have been fooled by the serving size of some foods.

Junk food and energy drinks are what fuel a lot of our students here at Northwest Vista, but are they really good for us?

"Metabolism enhancing drinks are totally unnecessary if you get a full night of sleep (minimum of 7 to 8 hours)," says Dr. Elliott. "Caffeine highs and more serious side effects associated with these drinks (digestive, sleep, and renal problems) are real and increasingly difficult to handle." Dr. Elliott adds, "Stop drinking sodas and eating chips," instead, "prepare healthy snacks like nuts, yogurt, or raisins prior to coming to school and pack some water (not in plastic bottles though as plastic is ruining the environment) in a reusable bottle." So, if you're going to snack in-between meals, keep it healthy and minimal.

Whether you're the student in the halls waiting for the next class, a part of the staff that keeps things running smoothly, or an instructor here on campus, these tips are just a few things that might point you in the right direction to attaining your goals, whatever they may be, in a healthy way.