Gustavus’ Health Services office offers resources to navigate discussions regarding nutrition, which have begun to include more detail about ‘what’ and ‘how much’, and also ‘when’ to eat.

With more data and new analytical techniques available, large numbers of nutrition studies have begun to emerge, backing modern diets or refuting conventional wisdom.

Take, for example, the breakfast debate.

In June, Outside Magazine declared “Everything You Know About Nutrition is Wrong.” David Despain writes that two recent studies show breakfast doesn’t affect weight gain or loss (or other health indicators), contrary to popular advice.

In September, another article in Outside Magazine attempted to settle the debate once and for all.

“Breakfast is clearly important for optimal performance. However, if you’re doing short runs or rides, skipping breakfast likely won’t slow you down,” Devon Jackson said.

All of this information can be confusing for collegiate students and athletes. To clarify things, a registered dietician is available to do free consulting on-campus for all enrolled students.

Senior Nick Carlson scheduled a nutrition coaching appointment to get help with his diet.

“The football coaches said to limit some things like fried foods, but for track I didn’t get a lot of advice from the coaches,” Carlson said.

As an athlete, Carlson has played football and baseball in addition to running track. He has learned several lessons about diet when transitioning from sport-to-sport.

“The biggest change was protein intake. I couldn’t eat excessively for track, and needed to have more carbs,” Carlson said. “With football, I ate as much as possible. Anything I could get my hands on, really. The point was to bulk up, whereas I needed to lean out for track.”

From his teammates, Carlson picked up several habits for keeping up his energy during the track season.

“I don’t avoid red meats, but I prefer lean meats like chicken. I also eat a lot more fruits, veggies, and good carbs now,” Carlson said.

Processed red meat can be high in saturated fat, and has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Lean, white means are a healthier alternative for getting plenty of protein.

But Carlson also took away some pointers from George Eliot, Gustavus’ registered dietician.

“I was told I need to eat tuna two times per week instead of five. I felt a little sick, and they said tuna has a lot of mercury in it,” Carlson said. “But they also said I could have some empty calories, like a candy bar every once in a while.”

“My motto is ‘Eat good, feel good’ now,” Carlson concluded.

Information about nutrition, as well as how to schedule a Nutrition Coaching appointment, can be found at the Gustavus Wellbeing website, under the ‘Nutrition & Exercise’ heading.

-Will Metcalf