As freshmen enrolled at the University of Georgia, they're excited about the opportunities that await them in their first semester. But with the hustle and bustle of classes and back-to-school festivities, healthy, regular eating habits can sometimes get out of hand.
According to the National Library of Medicine, cost barriers, stress, lack of knowledge about how to prepare healthy foods, and taste preferences have been found to be barriers to healthy eating among young people.
But upperclassmen at the University of Georgia have some suggestions and advice for younger students who are learning to navigate a new world of nutrition and independence.
Sami Peterson, a senior majoring in marketing and international business at the University of Georgia, said her discovery of cooking began when she started baking during the coronavirus lockdown.
“When I started university, I became very busy and my studies started to suffer. [cooking]”So I started making things like homemade oatmeal and yogurt bowls in the morning that were quick and easy,” Peterson says.
Ethan Jacobs, a fifth-year computer science major at the University of Georgia, said it's important not to be afraid of cooking, but rather to experiment.
“You can't turn pro right away,” Jacobs said.
UGA encourages meal plans for first-year students, but it is at each student's discretion. There are a variety of options, from block meal plans to all-access plans, so students can experiment with what and how they eat.
Peterson shared tips for getting started cooking at the beginning of the semester, suggesting trying online recipes or experimenting with recommendations from ChatGPT.
“Try out a few dishes when you're not too busy, then find a few staples that you love and are comfortable making, and just focus on buying the ingredients for those,” Peterson says.
According to the National Library of Medicine, young adulthood is a critical time for acquiring independent living behaviors, including cooking.
Miranda Obrero, a junior majoring in elementary education at the University of Georgia, said learning to cook and support herself as an out-of-state student has been a rewarding experience.
“I'm here alone, 3,000 miles from home, so it's a real accomplishment to be able to say, 'Yes, I can take care of myself. I can cook my own meals,'” Obrero said.
Madden Callahan, a senior majoring in public relations at the University of Georgia, said going from the University of Georgia dining halls and her sorority house meal plan to cooking for herself was a big change.
“Just take it slow at first, don't try to make a really elaborate dish, it'll help make it a little less intimidating,” Callahan said.