Tag Archives: College Health

Gluten-Free Dorm Room Survival Tips

by Shelby Kaho from Celiacs in the House

When I come home for the weekend, I try to cram in as much time with my friends as I can, but Saturday night and Sunday before I head back to school, I get down to business and cook for a solid few hours preparing gluten-free food to put in my dorm room mini-fridge freezer. The menu usually consists of fried rice with lots of veggies, grilled or baked chicken cut into small slices, sautéed asparagus, black beans, sweet and sour sauce to put on the chicken and/or steak, ravioli with sauce, steak cut into strips and sautéed, pizza, French toast, and chocolate chip cookies. I pack everything in quart sized freezer bags that I fill halfway, release the air and flatten the contents. This makes everything flat and stackable. It also makes it easier to break off single servings if the food is in a thin layer and cut up into small pieces.

I also stock up my fridge with corn tortillas for microwave quesadillas, shredded cheese (I put this on rice bowls, quesadillas, etc…), fruit cups, microwaveable sausages, lunch meat, fruit smoothies, and kefir. I also have several drawers full of the items that don’t need to be refrigerated. Some of my staples are microwaveable rice, gluten-free pretzels, chips, bread, fruit snacks, and beef jerky.

My strategy is to cover the basics like protein and carbohydrate so that I know I won’t go hungry and will always have what I need available to me. I also keep a collection of spices and sauces to make things less monotonous. My favorites to keep on hand are tamari, mayonnaise, hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, garlic powder and chipotle powder.

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Posted on January 23, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Choosing a Gluten Free College

By Wendy Gregory Kaho

Choosing a college can be tough when you have celiac disease and/or gluten sensitivity. If your child is required to live in the dorms, you need to know what to look for in the dining hall to determine if a school really can meet your gluten-free needs. Here are some tips from our experience sending two gluten-free teens off to small liberal arts colleges.

Despite the good reputations in the food service world of both dining services, we found a wide variation in knowledge and follow through in serving gluten-free meals in both colleges. Look for dining services with training programs within the corporation and look out for programs that are researched and implemented by the chef or manager on duty.

Beware if you have new a new chef or dining manager. They will be getting an entire program up and running at the start of the school year and special diet meals will fall thorough the cracks and off their radar.

Smaller colleges are not always safer. With a much smaller gluten-free population to feed, some schools may have little to no experience even serving gluten-free meals. Ask very pointed, specific questions of everyone when asking about gluten-free meals. Watch the servers, the students and the kitchen preparation to see if you can spot weak links and poor kitchen practices.

Get everything in writing and consider registering with the Students with Disabilities Office at your school. This will protect you and your investment once you do choose a school.
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Posted on January 16, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Voicing Concerns Made Dining Safer for One Gluten-Free College Student

By Shelby Kaho

Choosing the right college can be tough, especially with each college offering different academics, athletics, people, and so many other things to take into consideration. For me, I also had one other very big thing to take into consideration: my gluten free diet. Could the dining hall accommodate my needs?

I decided on a small liberal arts school about an hour and a half away from home. I loved the atmosphere and how comfortable I felt there. Since it was a small campus where you could really get to know everyone, I had confidence that I could work out a plan with the dining hall to make sure my food was safe. The first day I arrived on campus, I sent an email to the dining director of operations explaining my situation and concerns about getting safe gluten-free meals. I also talked to the sous chef and asked what was safe. While they promised me gluten-free meals when I visited the campus before deciding to attend, their understanding of what gluten free really means was inaccurate. They were both very helpful and willing to do whatever I needed, which gave me hope for being able to get safe, reliable meals. (more…)

Posted on January 10, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Cram It! Promotes Failing Diets for Procrastinating College Students

I must say that I was a bit disappointed to read a press release this morning about a new dietary supplement to help college students manage procrastination. I cannot blame Genius Labs, LLC. for trying to make a buck, and they probably have a market, but it is disappointing that they can spell out that a healthier diet generally equals a higher GPA, yet many will see their supplement as the answer rather than improving diet.

I did find it interesting that they linked poor diet, along with the tendency for up to 95% of college students to procrastinate tasks, to the statistic of one in every four college students illegally using ADHD medications like Adderall. We know that a healthier diet for ADHD can help those diagnosed, why do we just accept that college students, in general, won’t eat well?

Genius Labs, LLC. describes themselves as “a Baltimore-based privately held dietary supplement company that focuses on developing proprietary supplement blends that maximize brain health and performance. Founded by an MBA student searching for a natural mental edge; the firm targets college students that often cram to complete school work and study for tests.” Their new product Cram It! is a blend of omega-3 and various herbs, vitamins, and minerals with little caffeine that they claim “supports memory and the ability to analyze complex ideas.” (more…)

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Brooke Randolph

LSU vs. Alabama National Championship Game Recipes

Tonight, college football season will finally come to a close as the Louisiana State Tigers take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship game. It’s the second time these two powerhouses have met on the field this season, and the second time one will walk away as a winner, and another won’t. Tensions will no doubt be high, but delicious guilt-free snacks will help keep everyone cool.

The game kicks off at 8:30, and if you’re hosting a watch party, you’ll no doubt be serving your fellow fans a dinner worthy of a championship nod. Now, we’re all for enjoying finger foods and snacks while watching your favorite team charge the field. We’re also big fans of remembering those resolutions are just nine days old. So, serve the snacks your crowd expects, but do it in a healthy way that doesn’t sabotage the home team, or the visitors!

Try our recipes for Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo for the Tigers, Winning Fried Chicken for the Tide, or the 7-Layer Dip peace keeper for everyone. (more…)

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Natalie K

Healthy Gifts for Your High School or College Grad

Money may be a graduation gift that will never be returned, but you may be looking for a more unique and useful graduation gift for that high school or college senior in your life. Here are eight health and fitness gifts that are perfect for someone with a new diploma.

High School Grads

There’s some doubt about the real origins of the “freshman 15,” but it’s certainly something that many college-bound students worry about. Why not outfit your grad with tools to help them stay active and eat right?

Student Cookbooks

There are lots of cookbooks that offer advice to college student who are preparing meals in their dorms, but many of these books focus on convenience rather than health. Instead, consider picking up a copy The Healthy College Cookbook. For the adventurous, Vegan and vegetarian cookbooks are also fun for students who may want to explore new ways of eating.

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Posted on June 6, 2023 by Margaret

Amanda Arlauskas One Year after Biggest Loser

Although she feels exhausted and sore, Amanda Arlauskas says “I feel accomplished” after a week at the Biggest Loser Resort. Just one year after her Biggest Loser season eight finale, in which she was a finalist, Amanda is still making health and wellness a priority.

We had a chance to speak with Amanda during her time at Fitness Ridge, a place she calls tough, fun and challenging. Hear from her what a week is like at this incredible fitness destination in Ivins, Utah, as well as what life is like after “Loser.”

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Posted on December 7, 2023 by Natalie K

Freshman 15 is Just the Beginning of Weight Gain for College Students

Written by Jessie Gorges

With obesity becoming increasingly prevalent, it’s no surprise that college students are leading inactive lifestyles. But what’s surprising is that the “Freshman 15” no longer applies to freshmen.

Students are more likely to gain weight their sophomore, junior and senior years. A recent study shows that college students become increasingly more sedentary within their last years of higher education.

“Basically, students came out of college significantly less active and heavier compared to the start of their freshman year,” Jeanne Johnston said. “But it is a gradual process.”

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Posted on November 15, 2023 by GuestBlogger

Back to School: Vegetarian and Vegan Cookbooks

Vegetarian Cookbooks for College StudentsMany students find themselves cooking for themselves for the first time in college, and also trying out new ways of eating. For the college student who’s new to cooking or new to eating meat-free, having a guide in hand can be extremely valuable. Here’s a back-to-school ready round-up of vegetarian cookbooks aimed at college students.

1. The Starving Students’ Vegetarian Cookbook
by Dede Hall

This cookbook features quick and cheap recipes, that often require only on pan to prepare. Most of the recipes serve one or two, so students feel obligated to cook for others or eat the same recipes for days. On draw back is heavy reliance on microwave recipes (if you don’t have one) and on canned and processed foods, rather than healthier, fresh produce.

2. The Students’ Vegetarian Cookbook
by Carole Raymond

Raymond has lots of advise for those new vegetarianism and cooking for themselves, from choosing produce to tips on how long it’s safe to store veggies. It also encourages students to cook with a wide range of ingredients, so that meals are not only vegetarian but also balanced. Many of the 135 recipes are quick and the instructions are concise. Few recipes in The Student’s Vegetarian Cookbook require kitchen appliances like blenders or juicers, a major advantage over other books.

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Posted on August 2, 2023 by Margaret

Top 10 Ways to Stay Fit in the Dorm Room

Summer will soon come to a screeching halt and the school year will be among us. For some students this means cheap late night eating, confined dorm rooms, and excessive partying. Staying fit during college is extremely tough due to lack of money and time. Gym memberships can be expensive (unless there is free access to school fitness facilities), and finding time to exercise between class and nap time is often challenging as well.

The dorm room adds another challenge to fitness. The confined living quarters and messy roommates provide yet another obstacle. Follow the 10 ways below to dorm fitness and you will more than likely avoid the freshman 15. Good luck, study hard, and enjoy your time in school (it will be over before you know it, believe me).

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Posted on August 2, 2023 by Matt

Alexandra White – Biggest Loser Elimination Interview

alexandra white biggest loserThe first elimination of the season is always a tough one – as the contestant doesn’t quite get a chance to prove herself, and there’s concern they didn’t have enough time on the ranch to really effect change in themselves. Unless that person is Alexandra White. She blazed on to the Biggest Loser ranch with a youthful spunk, energy and readiness to do whatever it took. Unfortunately, she fell below the yellow line and was voted off by her castmates. If there were any doubters out there, she proved them wrong last night in her “Where Are They Now” segment, in which she revealed a much leaner, healthier body and a continued go get ’em spirit!

Hear our interview in its entirety with Alexandra, then continue to read more about her journey.


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Posted on September 16, 2023 by Natalie K