Nutrition and Eating Healthfully

UHCS Services

At UHCS we know that to feel your best and do your best, you need to eat healthy foods. If you have questions about a healthy diet, food allergies, eating on campus, or how to gain, maintain, or lose weight, you can meet with an expert to discuss any concerns or questions that you have. 

Overview

Here are some recommendations to fuel your body:

1. Never skip breakfast! One more time... never skip breakfast! Many students don't make time for eating a healthy breakfast. This is so important because eating breakfast helps you both mentally (you'll have a better ability to concentrate and retain what you learn) and physically (you'll get a great jumpstart for your metabolism).

2. Practice portion control. Here are some guidelines for correct portion sizes:

• 3 ounces of meat = a deck of cards
• ½ cup of pasta or rice = a light bulb
• 1 cup of veggies (cooked carrots, salad, etc.) or a piece of fruit = a baseball
• Condiments (butter, salad dressing, mayonnaise, etc.) = a poker chip

3. Taste the rainbow. When you eat produce, you should try to eat a variety of colors:

4. Plan out your meals and snacks. Have an idea of what you're going to eat throughout the week and keep a stock of healthy snacks. Then, when you do get hungry, you'll have some healthy options that are quick, convenient and ready for you to eat. You'll be less likely to snack on something that isn't as healthy for you.

5. Make a 'healthy plate.' Aim for filling half of my plate full of vegetables and fruits. Then, a quarter of the plate has protein (beans, eggs or meat) and a quarter of the plate has carbohydrates (complex carbs like brown rice or whole grain bread). Also look to include a side of low-fat dairy. 

Resources

• UW-W Dining Services
• Choose My Plate 
• Good Food on a Tight Budget 
• Intuitive Eating