The unhealthy eating habits of students is not an unsolvable dilemma, said Amanda Luekenga, a registered dietician at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Hectic class schedules and limited budgets often make it difficult for students to eat healthy and find time for exercise, she said.
Michael Pollan, an author who advocates healthy eating, believes that students can eat healthy without spending too much money.
Pollan, a communications professor at the University of California, Berkeley, will speak to over 1800 U students, staff, faculty and members of the Salt Lake community at Abravanel Hall today. The Utah Museum of Natural History is sponsoring the event.
“Last July we read Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, in our book club and realized how much people are aware and concerned about the industrialization of our food,” said Janet Frasier, marketing director for the museum.
She said Pollan is known for being concerned about how many people are increasingly turning to prepared dinners and fast food.
Students are also turning to fast food to save time, but they don’t have to.
Luekenga recommends several ways for students to eat healthy and stay active.
It’s the little things like not eating while you’re doing homework because you tend to eat more, and parking farther away to get more exercise,” she said.
Residence Hall meal plans have also been a concern in the past. The Heritage Center serves a buffet-style meal that may encourage students to over-eat.
Just because there is more food doesn’t mean you need to eat all of it, Luekenga said. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less fried foods, she said.
Pollan will speak at 7 p.m. tonight and will be available for book signing afterward.
His speech is part of a series of lectures organized by the museum to help students and members of the U community become aware of changes in the environment, food industry and more.
For more information about the lecture series, visit www.umnh.utah.edu.