A Fresh Approach to Health & Wellness

If you made new year’s resolutions to form new habits or behaviors, you’re probably finding out that it’s difficult to stick with new, presumably positive lifestyle changes. You’re trying to exercise more, but you just can’t seem to make time to go to the gym. You’re trying to be more mindful about what you eat, but you just don’t know where to start. The best way to reach those goals? By making them smaller and more realistic. The key to making realistic goals is making them with good intentions and ones you can actually achieve.

 

We understand health and wellness can sometimes feel unapproachable and difficult to achieve. That’s why we created our Be Green, Be Healthy, Be Bold educational program. Walk into any of our dining halls and you’ll see posters or flyers that encourage students to feed their minds and fuel their bodies with an integrated approach to wellness. Furthermore, the program provides educational materials for a variety of topics including nutrition, exercise, healthy and mindful eating, sustainability and food waste, heart health, and more.

 

First-year college students may not completely understand their own health and wellness, and they may be learning about these topics for the first time. Students may not be used to filling their own plates in a traditional dining hall environment. They may be introduced to new flavors and international cuisines. With so many options to choose from, it can be tricky to navigate.

 

How do I know my plate is balanced? How do I know if I am getting enough protein as a college athlete? Why should I eat more vegetables?

 

Our Be Green, Be Healthy, Be Bold, program helps answer some of these questions and alleviate the stress of learning to fuel your body.

 

Our mission is to serve healthy, well-balanced meals that help keep students fueled and focused throughout the day. Having fresh fruit available in the dining hall along with a variety of vegetables, a salad bar, protein options, and more, is essential. The Be Green, Be Healthy, Be Bold program helps encourage students to try new foods and fill their plates with a variety of colors; it’s an easy way to ensure a variety of foods with different vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The program helps make students aware that the foods you eat can make a significant impact on your mental clarity, mood, memory, and ability to focus. We encourage students to try new things but also help them decide which foods work best for them and their bodies.

 

Health and wellness isn’t just about what you eat, it’s about how you take care of your body and mind as well. Exercise and sleep play a big role in your mood and ability to concentrate. Not getting enough sleep can quickly throw off brain activity and hormonal balance. Getting daily exercise and a full night’s sleep can make a big difference in how you feel. Incorporating long walks outside is a great way to help improve your physical and mental health. Taking care of your mental health is just as important. Reading books, joining clubs, and spending time with others is a great way to boost your mood. At Fresh Ideas, our dining halls are warm and inviting and facilitate an environment for students to meet new people, try new things, study, and spend time with friends.

 

We understand that students on campus may not be used to choosing their own meals and filling their plates. That’s why we’ve created programs like Be Green, Be Healthy, Be Bold to help alleviate some of that stress. Our dining teams are always willing to answer questions and help students choose foods that are right for them. We play a large role in keeping students, faculty, and staff fueled and focused throughout their day. After all, new habits are difficult to stick with over time, and educational programs like Be Green, Be Healthy, Be Bold, help inform students that they’re on the right path.