Students seeking a healthy and nutritious lifestyle have many resources to take advantage of on campus.

Living on or off campus, starting and maintaining a nutritious diet can be difficult. With the combined efforts of Dining Services, Health Services and willingness to better food choices, the task can be simpler.

The first stop on the road to eating nutritiously should be setting up an appointment with University Dietician Jane Crandall. Crandall provides nutrition counseling for students, faculty and staff.

“I am here for anyone who has nutrition concerns,” Crandall said. “I enjoy working with food and helping people.”

Crandall suggests Web sites such as Mypyramid.gov and Sparkpeople.com to get started.

“These are good Web sites for nutrition and physical fitness information,” Crandall said.

The University Student Health Center site, found on the University home page, also offers a link to a healthy lifestyle guide. Section three of the guide, “lifestyle issues,” gives students information on eating well. It provides students with information like starting the day with breakfast and measuring out the portion sizes of on-the-go snacks.

Students who are on campus for long periods of time should consider what is offered to them through University Dining Services .

They offer fresh, nutritious products throughout campus to aid in a healthy lifestyle, Associate Director of Dining Services Daria Blachowski-Dreyer said.

“What’s been the most difficult task is trying to get the word out about our nutritious foods, but I must say it has been moving in a positive direction,” Blachowski-Dreyer said.

Although nutrition facts are not yet available for all foods offered through Dining Services, students can visit Dineoncampus.com and get nutrition facts for places such as Jamba Juice and Steak Escape.

Another resource for students trying to implement a healthier diet would be to seek peer advice.

Senior Brittany Floyd, who recently chose a more nutritious lifestyle, suggests other students do the same.

“I simply started drinking more water and choosing fruits and veggies as snacks,” Floyd said. “As a result, I feel great, and I have more energy throughout my day.”

Students wishing to make that first step can call the Student Health Center and set up an appointment with Crandall.