These days more people are seeing the need to eat better across the board and our college students are no exception. Entering students have much to look forward to as they venture into a new chapter of their lives. College campuses are filled with knowledge-hungry students engaging in building life-long relationships amidst the world of fast meals.

       Fasten your seat belt as I take you for a virtual tour of the college café. In one area you have the salad bar. The bar is full of salad greens with the customary toppings of carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Then you have blended cheeses, nut mixes, prepared salads and meat slices. Last but not least, you have the salad dressings, which may be comprised of regular, lite (low calorie) and low fat options.

       Moving along, you may have a fast food section offering burgers, fries, onion rings and chicken patties or strips.

       Next there is a section touting “home cooked meals.” This section varies from day-to-day. For example, one day may feature meat lasagna, steamed vegetables and French bread.

       Last but not least, we have an array of dessert items comprised of cookies, cakes, pies, brownies, puddings, Jell-O and candies. Did I mention the unlimited soda station?

       Now take your seat belt off and let’s look a little closer. Though the common thought is to eat enough to feel full….it is possible to eat well and  have the meal sustain you with these few tips:

 

v Be sure your plate is filled with  an array of rich deep colors. A dunk shot would be the salad bar minus hefty amounts of cheese and salad dressing.

 

v For foods you feel you must have, try to watch the portions with a little of this and a little of that.

 

v Try eating half of your normal portion. It is worth a try and can save calories that add pounds over time.

 

v Bypass empty calories. These are calories that taste good but have very little nutrients, i.e. salad dressings, fries and dessert items.

 

v Sodas have lots of empty calories. Just two large drinks can equal one third of the calories you need in a single day. This can sabotage a diet. 

 

v Healthy snacks between meals are a good idea. Keep a snack pack on hand.

Dear Robust Reader,

 

College is a great opportunity to develop or sustain optimal eating habits. Many times students are more prone to elect to eat only lunch and dinner. Breakfast is usually seen as not so important. After all, many people are not truly hungry in the early morning. But students can benefit from having a little nourishment before starting their routine. Breakfast can be a choice of a raw fruit, a piece of wheat toast or graham crackers and a cup of yogurt or simply a bowl of oatmeal. Breakfast is important. In the café, share your desire for healthy foods and healthy recipes with your café manager. Take stock of your situation and make your meal plan and college experience work for you!

               Stay tuned next month as we cover eating at holiday-based social events. Please forward your thoughts, comments and ideas, as they are important to me, to comments@afampointofview.com attention: Anika.

HIV treatment has changed and improved the lives of infected people since the original description in 1981 BUT there are important facts to consider:

 

v HIV remains a critical health issue.

 

v Springfield’s HIV incidence is three times higher than other Massachusetts cities.

 

v HIV is transmitted either sexually or by blood-blood contact, i.e. oral (gingival/tooth junction) and anal/rectal areas.

 

v 34% of the new infections are among young people under 30. This increase in adolescents between the ages of 13-29 is a life sentence!

 

v Male-to-male sexual contacts account for (45%-53%) MSM (unprotected receptive anal intercourse) http://www.cdc.gov.

v There is no data for bisexual men but there is the possibility of them infecting their female sexual partners. 

 

v Heterosexual adults and IDU (i.v. drug routes) accounted for 45% of new HIV infections in 2006.

 

v 50% of recently diagnosed HIV positive individuals are non-white!!           

 

v Heterosexual transmission was most common among women. 83% of the women recently diagnosed are non-white.  

 

v The CDC (Center for Disease Control) feels individuals unaware of their HIV status account for over one-half of all new infections. Everyone who is sexually active in the U.S., ages 13-64, regardless of perceived risk, SHOULD be tested for HIV. 

 

v 40-90% of exposed persons may experience symptoms or lymphadnopathy (nodes of neck or arms, etc.) which are often not recognized by the person or the primary care clinician because the symptoms may resemble those of an URI, influenza, infectious mononucleosis and other viral infections. Most people would purposely attribute these symptoms to one of the infections previously listed rather than CONSIDER the possibility that they may have been due to the HIV virus.

 

v Infected HIV patients have years of life to gain if treatment is initiated early, preferably before experiencing overt symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness or weight loss.

 

v HIV screening is particularly recommended for:

n Illicit intravenous drugs users              n   Men who have sex with men

n Bisexual men and others in                              high-risk behaviors

 

v There is a rapid HIV test that has a 99% sensitivity technically available in one hour (4-10 weeks after exposure).

 

v The longevity of HIV patients has been extended due to the effectiveness of the antiretroviral medications. One pill a day is an option in those HIV patients who do not have resistant strain viruses.

 

v “The mean incubation period for the development of AIDS is 10 years or longer.” (Martin S. Hirsch, N. Eng. J. Med. 1993; 328:1686-95)

 

v “At this time, eradication of HIV is impossible. Rebound inevitably follows cessation of therapy, and therapy must therefore be lifetime.” (Hirschel & Calmy. N.Eng. J.Med. May 15, 2008)

 

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HIV INFECTION

l ABSTINENCE

l SEX WITH ONLY ONE, MUTUALLY MONOGAMOUS, uninfected partner       

l SAFE SEXUAL PRACTICES

l Only sterile needle punctures of any type (i.e. tattoos, ear lobe)

l AVOID ILLICIT DRUGS, nitrate inhalant USAGE and particularly “communal usage,” an exceedingly favorable route for HIV, Hepatitis viruses and multiple types of devastating bacteria.     

 

INTEGRATED CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING, TESTING and REFERRAL SITES

Springfield Health & Human Services 750-2720 or 1-800-235-2331

Mason Square Neighborhood

Health Center—794-8723

Brightwood Health Center 794-9725

 

(Additional references are too numerous to list, including authorities who actively manage HIV patients who contributed to this article. Dr. Sheffield)