By Kyaisia Know
Staff Writer
“For college kids, not skipping meals is really important,” according to Heather Dibiassi, a graduate student majoring in nutrition.
We’ve all had that day when we’re running late in the morning and miss breakfast. For most of us, before the day starts coffee is simply the only answer. This quick fix may give a temporary boost, but it also causes dehydration and fatigue when we forget to balance it with water.
If you’re an athlete, you may be having a hard time juggling a healthy diet with that hefty schedule. There are many obstacles we face that affect our diets; medical conditions, weight and time management all play a role in our eating habits. Whatever your stubbing block, trying to maintain a consistent diet is a challenge that we all face.
In Pell Hall, room 150, reside this semester’s campus nutritionists, Dibiasi, Stefani Pappas and Kelsey Kettell. They are part of Post’s dietetic internship program. Each semester, this advanced certificate program is offered to graduate students to prequalify for upcoming steps in becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist. They offer free nutrition counseling to students, staff and faculty on campus.
As certified nutritionists, they are professionals who are dedicated to working with you to overcome any adversity preventing you from maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Some of the areas they assist with are developing meal plans, goal setting and on-and-off campus eating tips.
“Good nutrition allows you to prevent and reverse illness and diseases,” said Kettell, a 2015 graduate from the University of New Haven.
As a certified personal trainer (CPT) and certified weight management specialist (CWMS), Pappas, who is a graduate student in nutrition at NYU, feels that, “nutrition is everything.” Their objective is to learn your desires and goals and modify your habits to help meet these goals.
You may have seen those pictures of meal plans prepared Sunday for the week on social media. For the average college student who dorms, these expectations are unreachable. This doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to adjust your habits. “It’s not about extremes; strive for balance,” said Dibiasi. “Telling you exactly what to eat is pretty unrealistic.”
You may be thinking that seeing a nutritionist entails excessive green drinks, organic leaves, wheat and oats. If you’re a pizza lover, none of that sounds appealing. However, there’s much more to having
a balanced diet. The campus nutritionists provide aid and counseling in teaching you how to incorporate health habits, while not completely giving up the things you love.
They are willing to meet with you at different locations around campus for your convenience. They’ve prepared information on intuitive eating and recognizing your body’s natural hunger signs. There’s also a lending library with books to assist you on your journey to a healthier life. You’ll have access to many different resources while working with a nutritionist.
The nutritionists’ offce hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment, with flexibility. They can be reached at post-nutritionist@liu.edu and 516-299-2881. You may also follow them on Instagram @sensible_bites to stay up to date on their tips and bulletins.
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