Food Insecurity and the Starving Student at CSUN

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By: Jenica Smith, CSUN Dietetic Intern

Food Security

With increased tuition and enrollment, the average college student must balance the cost of higher education and the cost of living.1 As a result, access to affordable and healthy food has become a regular challenge faced by college-aged adults across the United States. The archetype of the “starving student” has become widely accepted, but at what cost? Like the body, an active mind requires enough energy to perform. Lack of adequate food may hinder a student’s ability to learn. Food insecurity has been shown to have a negative impact on academic success as well as students’ health and well-being.2,3
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Load up on Antioxidants

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By: Tania Menachegani Khachatourians, B.S., CSUN Dietetic Intern

Spices

Inside the human body, there is a constant battle to keep the “bad” out and keep the “good” in. Antioxidants are the “soldiers” that fight this battle inside our body.

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.1 Free radicals are substances that attack healthy cells and are produced through normal body functions including food consumption, breathing, exercise, and lifestyle choices.1 These are the “unstable molecules made by the process of oxidation during normal metabolism” that may play a role in cancer, stroke, and disease development.2 Free radicals damage cell components such as DNA, proteins, and the cell membrane.3 Free radicals may be increased through toxins found in cigarette smoke, metals, and high-oxygen atmospheres. Whether the antioxidants are naturally found in food or synthesized, they neutralize free radicals in the body and prevent or delay the cell damage.4

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What’s The Scoop On Gluten?

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Bread Gluten

Image: Margouillat Photo/Shutterstock

By Maddie Hoeks, BS, CSUN Dietetic Intern

Gluten has become a very popular topic in the past couple of years, and has had quite an impact on diet culture in the United States. As of 2015, gluten free versions of foods have made around $1.6 billion in the market.1 Interestingly, the majority of these consumers were individuals who were not required to be on a gluten free diet for medical reasons.1 A market research study estimated that 30% of Americans either eliminated or reduced gluten from their diet.2 Though it is no question that gluten free products are highly valued and being sought after, what is of question is the consumer’s knowledge of what exactly gluten is, and what the gluten free diet is capable of, even more so, what it is not capable of. Continue reading →

 

Protein Timing and Muscle Growth

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Image: Seasontime/Shutterstock

By: Sophia A. Lopez, DTR, CSUN Dietetic Intern

The fitness world has blown up through social media. You can now easily access and follow any insta-famous trainer to learn their techniques on staying healthy within the realms of exercise and nutrition. However, it is difficult to know if the fitness celebrities you follow have enough experience to give appropriate fitness advice. Whether you associate yourself as an athlete, bodybuilder, powerlifter, crossfitter, or just a regular gym-goer, the mission for workout advice is generally the same: get stronger and stay in shape. Continue reading →

   

What’s With All the Protein Powder Hype?

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nutrition experts protein powder

Image: Room 76/Shutterstock

By: Joey Gerardi, M.S. in Human Nutrition Candidate, CSUN Dietetic Intern

I began my journey in fitness and nutrition over ten years ago when my father started bringing me with him to the gym. Although I have grown up an athlete, mostly playing soccer and baseball throughout my childhood, weightlifting brought a new joy and challenge to my life that I had never before experienced. I have realized throughout the years that the food and nutrients I put into my body are just as, if not more important than the work I put in at the gym. Utilizing protein in my diet has served as an extremely beneficial tool in assisting me to in achieve my health and fitness goals through these past ten years. Continue reading →

 

Heart Health for Life

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Heart Shaped Bowl

Image: udra11/shutterstock

By Sonia Ramirez-Rivera, BS, CSUN Dietetic Intern

As any doctor will tell you, taking care of your health is one of the most important things you can do in life. Eating well, exercise, and drinking plenty of water are all needed for health. What about taking of your heart? Not in an “achy breaky heart” as Billy Ray Cyrus may say when you heart is broken from you long lasting love, but in general taking care of your heart health. Continue reading →

 

Foods for Brain Health

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Brain shaped with fresh vegetables

Image: TijanaM/Shutterstock

By: Griseida Ruiz, DTR, CSUN Dietetic Intern

Our brain is one of the hardest working organs in our body. It is “on” every moment of the day, taking care of our thoughts, movements, breathing, and heartbeat. Until recently, it was believed that food could not influence the brain structure and its cognitive, intellectual and mental functions.1 However, new research has proven otherwise. While we experience a noticeable decline in our brain function with age, there is a lot we can do to prevent disease, protect it from oxidative damage and hinder the premature aging process. In the United States, Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death with over 5.7 million Americans living with it and that number expected to increase to 14 million by the year 2050.2 These statistics are alarming and although the amounts do not look promising, we each have the ability to do something to improve them. Eating foods high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants will ensure we do just that! Continue reading →

 

Ginger: Why you should be consuming this root every day!

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Fresh Ginger slices

Image: Barmalini/Shutterstock

By Joey Gerardi, CSUN Dietetic Intern, M.S. in Human Nutrition Candidate

Do you ever go to sushi restaurants and the first items they offer you are wasabi and ginger? The reason sushi restaurants give you ginger is because of its strong flavor, which cleanses your palate in between courses! This allows you to fully enjoy the flavors of each piece of sushi you are served. What the sushi chefs don’t tell you is that there are all kinds of health benefits from ginger! Continue reading →

 

Whole Grains: Your Superhero

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heart in grains

Image: Inha Makeyeva/Shutterstock

By: Sonia Ramirez-Rivera, BS, CSUN Dietetic Intern

As everyone has heard that famous saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” this can truly be said for consuming whole grains. Whole grains are very important to include in your daily life. If you were to go to the store, would you be able to point out a whole grain? As easy as that may sound, not many people know what whole grains are, how to identify them, and the health benefits they provide. Continue reading →