Health Services

Health Education

Nutrition

Focus on fruit

Fruit is an essential component to a balanced diet and offers many health benefits. Fruit may help to reduce risk of stroke, Type II diabetes, and certain cancers. Fruit, which is often sweet, can provide a great lower-calorie and healthier alternative to other snacks you might reach for when a sweet tooth is calling.

Tips for reaching your fruit goal

1. Top your cereal with fruit. Blueberries, bananas, and strawberries are common cereal-toppers.
2. Choose fruit when it is available as an alternative to less healthy side items (such as French fries or potato chips) at restaurants.
3. Buy canned fruit (packed in 100% fruit juice or water) or fresh fruit and create a fruit salad. Fruit salad can make a great snack or dessert item.
4. Always keep fruit in a prominent location in the refrigerator or in your kitchen. If it is convenient, you are more likely to choose it over other, less-healthy convenient food choices.
5. Dried fruit (available in packages at the grocery store) make a great snack item that you can keep in your desk or carry in a backpack.

How to include fruit in your on-campus diet

1. Chartwells locations often have fresh fruit available.
2. The hospital cafeterias always have fresh fruit available.
3. Many fruits travel easily. Pack an apple, banana, orange, or other easy-to-eat fruit when you leave home in the morning. Individual packages of diced fruit are also easy to carry and can be eaten with a plastic fork for easy clean-up.