New Year, New Nutrition
Alewine Discusses Strategies To Maintain New Years’ Resolutions
Erin Alewine, assistant cross country and track coach at Lynn University, gave tips on how to maintain 2020 New Year’s resolutions regarding staying fit and healthy.
Alewine’s interest in food started when she helped cook and bake in the kitchen with her mother. Culinary school sparked her interest, but she wanted to continue her passion for track and field, and there were no schools that offered a mix of both. As a result, Alewine attended the University of Central Missouri to run track with a scholarship and to pursue a Bachelor of Science with a focus in dietetics.
Alewine was not always interested in nutrition. She grew up in a southern home eating barbecue, pizza and pasta. Her transition to healthy eating started due to athletics.
As she began learning more about dietetics she used it as her own secret tool to personally get better on and off the track. Alewine advises students to start by learning about nutrition and being aware of what they are putting in their body. Interest in nutrition and asking questions can spark motivation to continue learning.
“There is a reason nature produces food with brilliant colors that draws your attention,” said Alewine, coach. “If it is really bright red or really bright green it probably has some huge nutrient content in it which basically means it’s healthier for you.”
Alewine advises students to be mindful of their portion sizes. Little things like adding an apple or some green beans to a meal can help the body feel healthier.
“Setting realistic, small goals is where to start,” said Alewine.
Many make a New Year’s resolution to eat healthy throughout the year but then tend to get distracted and off track. It is important to set small goals, conquer them little by little and eventually make them bigger. Drinking one water bottle a day is a reasonable goal, and then next week try to challenge that first goal by drinking two water bottles a day.
“Nutrition is very difficult because it is one of the only things in our lives that we have control over,” said Alewine.
Creating other positive habits such as exercise, reading and practicing mindfulness along with healthy eating habits helps with overall well-being and contributes to a healthy mind and positive outlook for the new year.