What's In That Energy Drink?

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Finals are right around the corner, which means late nights ahead full of studying. A lot of us will probably be reaching for coffee or energy drinks to help us stay alert and awake. We've already featured coffee on this blog (you can read that post here), so this post will focus on energy drinks.

Energy drinks have become increasingly popular since they were first introduced and are especially popular among college students, who have to balance classes, work, student organizations, friends, and more -- which usually means we’re short on sleep. But what’s really in an energy drink and how much can you safely drink?

GO NUTS!

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Nuts get a bad rap sometimes as a salty junk food. In honor of National Pecan Day on April 14^th, we’re setting the record straight. Nuts are usually divided into two groups: tree nuts and peanuts. Tree nuts include pecans, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, etc., while peanuts are technically legumes.

March Madness Munchies

eisforeat.com

I'd like to introduce our guest blogger for the week, Sarah Zou, CDS nutrition intern.

My name is Sarah Zou and I attended The University of Texas at Austin for my undergrad. After graduating in 2010, I spent a little time working at Google in sales/marketing before deciding to go back to grad school to pursue my real passion: nutrition! I'm thrilled to be at UNC as a masters student in the School of Public Health, where I am studying nutrition and completing the requirements to become a registered dietitian.

March Madness is officially underway! Chances are you will find yourself watching at least a few games in the upcoming weeks. Between cheering for your favorite team and keeping a close eye on your bracket, you might also be tempted to have too many unhealthy game day snacks. Whether you’re watching the game at a restaurant or at home, here are some ideas for healthier game day options.

Eat Like An Olympian

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Nutrition is critical for athletes and regular exercisers. Carbohydrates, protein, fat, and water are necessary for peak performance.  Do you want to learn how you can eat like an Olympian?

Love Your Heart

Did you know that cardiovascular disease (or heart disease) is the #1 killer of Americans? You should also know that it's possible to reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by eating a nutritious, balanced diet.

Get the Skinny on Fad Diets

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I'd like to introduce our guest blogger for this week, Cynthia Topley.  Cynthia is a Dietetic Intern from Meredith College and will be working with Carolina Dining Services for the next eight weeks to complete her food service rotation.

My name is Cynthia Topley and I attended Wellesley College for my undergrad.  After graduating in 2007, I traveled in Australia and New Zealand then worked full-time as a lab tech before going to grad school at Meredith College for nutrition.  While in grad school, I married my husband, Stephen.  I completed my master degree in May 2013 and am currently in my dietetic internship at Meredith to earn my RD (Registered Dietitian) credential.

Fad diets make False Promises! Claims like "Lose 15 pounds in 15 days" and "Detox Your Colon" are inaccurate, unrealistic, and sometimes dangerous!  It's BEST to avoid fad diets and focus on a daily, healthy diet!

10 Ways to Lose 10 Pounds in 10 Weeks

everygirlsguidetohealth.com

Want to get your body ready for spring break?  The warm days are only a few months away!  Here are a few healthy weight loss tips to help you achieve a fit looking physique and have you ready and feeling confident to hit the beach in your swimwear!

Quinoa: The Queen of Grains

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Why is quinoa superior to other grains? The nutritional benefits of quinoa greatly outweigh benefits of other grains. Also high in antioxidants, phytonutrients, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, quinoa has gained notoriety as the next super-food.

Greek Yogurt - What's the Hype?

healthydiningfinder.com

In general, yogurt is thought to make for a healthy snack, offering calcium, vitamin D, protein, and probiotics. Greek yogurt has become extremely popular in recent years. But what exactly is the difference between Greek yogurt and regular yogurt? Is one healthier than the other?

Avoid the Freshman 15 with These 15 Tips

collegehelper.com

It's easy to gain weight in the first year of college. In fact, there is a name for the weight you gain as a freshman called the "Freshman 15" (15 referring to the number of pounds you can expect to gain). Studies show that the average number of pounds gained is actually about 8 pounds. This doesn't sound like a lot, but if you gained 8 pounds every year, you would be 40 pounds heavier in five years! Don't worry, it can be prevented. These 15 tips will help you stay on track with your weight and overall health.

Green is the New Black

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I'd like to introduce our guest blogger for this week, Kelli Wood.  Kelli is a Dietetic Intern from Meredith College and has been working with Carolina Dining Services for the past four weeks to complete her food service rotation.


My name is Kelli Wood and I attended NC State for my undergrad. After graduating in 2010 I worked full time at a nutrition education program called EFNEP before going to grad school at Meredith College for nutrition. While in grad school I married my husband, Michael. I completed my master's in May 2013 and am currently in my dietetic internship at Meredith to earn my RD credential so that I can become licensed to counsel and treat others with dietary needs.

Happy October everyone! We all know this is the month of fall break, football, and Halloween, but did you know that October is also Vegetarian Awareness Month? Vegetarians are sprouting up all over the place, and here are some reasons to celebrate.

Are You Pumping Iron?

aspirewellnessblog.com

You may be pumping iron in the gym but is your body pumping enough iron through your bloodstream?  Did you know that iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anemia in the United States?  So why is iron so important?  How can one prevent iron deficiency?

College Students Have A Lot On Their Plates

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Classes, studying, extracurricular activities, student groups, jobs, social life… let’s face it, college students definitely have a lot on their plates!  With the dining halls being all-you-care-to-eat, again, I see a lot of student’s plates piled high!  Let’s try to lighten the load on those plates shall we?  Here are some tips on eating in our “buffet style” dining halls so you can avoid that so-called “unavoidable” weight gain that has been so easily associated with being in college.

CDS Nutrition Best Practices

The goal of Carolina Dining Services' Nutrition Program is to enable, educate and encourage people of all ages to adopt and lead healthier lifestyles.  The program recognizes various food preferences and allergies among a large campus population and is dedicated to meeting the nutritional needs of its students, providing nutrition education, and spreading nutrition awareness.

Study Tips for College Exams

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Studying can be a daunting task... especially when it's your last chance to give it all you've got!  Below are a few suggestions to help you make your studying count towards your final grade!  Also, be sure to check out my "Happy, Healthy Studying" blog posting to learn about healthy eating during exam week!

Let's Talk Protein

O2fitnessclubs.com

Protein in food provides the building blocks for all the body's cells and tissues, including immune cells, bones, skin and muscles.  But how much protein do you need?  Is it possible to get too much?  Let's discuss!

Manage Your Stress



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Stress is definitely a part of being a college student, and can be especially present around exam time!  Here are a few thoughts on how to deal with stress when it comes:

Eating For Exercise

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Whether your goal is weight loss, muscle gain or simply to feel better, what you eat before you exercise can make the difference between a high-energy workout and one that just drags on with limited results.

Rethink Your Drink

healthcommunities.com

Are you drinking your calories?  If so, stop wasting your time on empty calories!  Now, you may be wondering: "If they are empty calories, why do I feel so full and round"?  The reason they are called "empty calories" is because they provide nothing for your body but calories.  Empty calories like added sugar and solid fats provide few or no nutrients and benefits, just extra calories you probably don't need.  So if you are wanting to lose weight or maybe you've been trying for a while and aren't seeing great results, it's probably time for you to "RETHINK YOUR DRINK"!!!

The "Dirty Dozen"

healthyhappyeater.com

Have you ever heard of the "Dirty Dozen" or how about the "Clean Fifteen"?  Do you wonder about buying local or organic and if you should really waste the extra money to do so?  This information may help you when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables!