Have you lost your freshman 15?

Thigh (not mine) post freshman year

Exciting news, we have a new Foodtrainer. Her name is Carolyn Brown. She’s a Tulane grad and has taught nutrition at the NYC Greenmarkets, she’s a blogger and a dodge ball player, smart and snarky. She’s running our 4-week “Summer School Course” for students and grads of all ages. I asked Carolyn to blog about that clichéd Freshman 15 and whether we tend to lose it or keep it as a collegiate souvenir. I’ll let her take it from here:

I’ve never liked talking about the freshman 15 – maybe because for me, it was more like 20. I’m seriously grateful it was in the pre-Facebook era. But as a freshman 15 alum I know that the freedom college offers (not unlike loosey goosey summer eating Lauren wrote about) may be great for your social life but the lack of structure can lead to a lasting “hangover” as in hanging over your pants. It isn’t always immediate; it can show up a little later as the sophomore surplus, the junior jiggle, or even the post-college pudge.  

All joking aside, the problem isn’t so much the weight gained (assuming you’re still around a healthy weight). Research shows that women tend to lose most of it with time. The real issues are why it was gained in the first place and the eating patterns that may be repeated for years to come.

Some reasons for the freshman weight gain aren’t surprising buffet style dining halls replace mom’s well-balanced meals, high school sports no longer provide built in activity and then there’s the drinking. And when you drink more, you eat more – and make less intelligent choices. Would you really need the cheese fries, onion rings and mozzarella stick trio sober? It’s not all a lack of self-control though, so give yourself  (or maybe your college-aged children) a break. In your late teens growth slows down—and so does ones metabolism. Add in inconsistent sleep and associated hormonal changes that affect hunger and fullness. And alcohol it’s is a depressant and in this way influences eating.

For many, college is the first time they gain a noticeable amount of weight and it’s also their first foray into dietland.  College girls resort to dangerous methods to lose weight. It’s now a far cry from Weight Watchers. Extra popular before Cabo-bound spring breaks are starving, binging/purging, obsessive exercise and the use of “appetite suppressants”: cigarettes, Adderall, laxatives and diet pills. Eek.

But there are healthy ways to lose that stubborn freshman 15 even if it’s stuck around long enough to make it to a few reunions. Exercise is crucial. Yawn, I know, but there are actually ways to make it less of a chore. Lazy friends rub off, so try seeking out active friends who will drag you to a spin or dance class. Peer pressure can be positive and works at all ages. Another great way to get moving is to join your city’s “social sports” leagues. Teams are based on skill level and age (and are usually co-ed, wink wink).You don’t want your exercise merely burning off the booze, your total drinks for the week needs to be a single digit and I suggest at least 3 “dry” days. Treats (pizza we’re talking to you) should be no more than once or twice a week.

My freshman 20 came off slowly. Leaving the dorms for a house with a kitchen helped. Also I took Intro to Nutrition class learned low calorie doesn’t necessarily mean healthy and completely changed my relationship with food. This led me to a Foodtrainers-bound career path sans post-college pudge.

Are you a freshman 15 alum? When did you lose the weight? Was college the first time you dieted? Any scary weight loss regimes to share? Do you feel friends affect your eating or exercise?

Big Easy Tips

This is a guest post from Foodtrainers’ favorite nutrition nerd Lisa Ganguzza. Aside from our nerdom, Lisa and I are both “Green Wave” graduates. We felt we needed a post about the city that we love and all the great food. 

After a recent visit, Lauren and I discussed whether it’s possible to eat healthy in New Orleans, a food-centric city world-renowned for decadence. Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler, let the good times roll, are the guiding words for most decisions made in New Orleans. Unfortunately, many of those good times include deep fried meats and pastries topped with creamy sauces, and sugary “signature” drinks. But of course, in a city built on enjoying oneself, there are delicious options for those of us looking to leave New Orleans elated but not inflated. So from us to you, here are some Tulane Alumnae tips to enjoy eating in Nola, while still being able to enjoy your jeans on the flight home.

*These travel tips can be applied elsewhere. After all, if you can eat somewhat healthy in New Orleans, you can do it anywhere.

Breakfast: typical New Orleans breakfast items include cheesy grits, biscuits with gravy, Andouille sausage and eggs, and crab cake eggs benedict heavy on the hollandaise. Last time I was in New Orleans, I actually encountered praline bacon, a first but not a surprise. These things are all delicious, but we feel, when traveling it’s a good idea to start the day on track. You’ll have plenty of time to play later. Try egg whites scrambled with peppers, onions, and of course Crystal hot sauce;  substitute toast for the biscuit.

Lunch: whether you’re a tourist or a native, lunch items like muffulettas and po-boys tend to make it into the rotation. Since New Orleans is all about giving, muffulettas can be 8 inches in diameter, and po-boys a foot long, all for no more than $6 or $7. Needless to say, these are great items to share. Our #1 lunch tip: you don’t want your sandwich “dressed”.  Sandwiches should be naked or topless (we’ll explain). Dressed in Nola is code for slathered in mayo, so we would recommend asking to hold the mayo or the other “special sauce”. Standard po-boy fillings include fried chicken, fried oysters, fried shrimp, fried soft shell crab and fried catfish. We promise the grilled shrimp, fish, and chicken po-boys are just as good prepared with delicious Cajun spices and seasonings. Lastly, we’d recommend tearing off some bread (or removing the top so it’s “topless”) and enjoying a side of collard greens instead.  

Dinner: When you sit down for dinner in Nola, it’s difficult not to be distracted by the brass band playing in the restaurant, the patrons singing along that have been there since brunch, or the waiter chatting you up about your day, your week, and your year. Despite the festive and friendly distractions, be sure to really read the menu. Avoid anything “stuffed” and remember what we said about jeans above. The stuffed mushrooms, stuffed tomatoes and stuffed shrimp may sound healthy but they are stuffed with buttery crabmeat and creamy breadcrumbs. New Orleans is known for their amazing local seafood, and healthier dishes like bbq gulf-shrimp, crawfish etouffee, and oysters Rockefeller must be taken advantage of. You are sure to find 4 or 5 delicious grilled fish options on any menu. Just be careful when you “take sides”. If your entrée comes with a choice of sides, stick with the local favorites like gumbo and red beans and rice, corn maquechoux or jambalaya. You can get fries at home.  

Dessert: Bananas foster, crème brulee, and bread puddings dominate New Orleans dessert menus. Of course they are all delicious but we suggest having an Irish coffee instead. Order a dessert for the table if you must but we recommend saving the sweet tooth for a beignet. One note about beignets: it is worth the wait at Café du Monde versus surrounding imitations. 

Drinks: “Hurricanes” and “Hand Grenades,” the brightest red and lime-est

green drinks you’ll ever see, are ubiquitous on Bourbon Street. The surrounding French Quarter offers some better options. Sip on some sazerac or southern comfort with fresh lime juice, traditional and historic New Orleans drinks that can last you the entire night. Spicy Bloody Marys with fresh tomato juice and string beans are another great drink option. Whatever you choose, we recommend limiting the drinking so your meal choices aren’t governed by your hangover the next day.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late night lucky dog, New Orleans offers some of the most creative dishes you’ll ever find. So skip the buttered cornbread at every meal, and don’t fill up on boudin balls so you can enjoy a little of everything and leave the “big” in the Big Easy.

And so you know we didn’t spend our college days subsisting on egg whites and collard greens.

 Lauren loves Eggs Florentine at Commanders Palace, Abita’s Turbo Dog beer and the best crawfish in the world at Big Fisherman Seafood.

Lisa loves the Crab Claws Bordelaise at Palace Café, Fried Green Tomatoes at Jacques-Imo's  (and  jazz fest tents) and would fly this minute for the bronzed tuna or curried chicken salad at Café Rani. We do disagree on one thing Lisa would choose Purple Haze over “Turbo” any day.

What are your tips for eating healthy while away? What were your favorite college treats? And what’s your favorite thing about New Orleans?