The sea of vending machines and fast-food restaurants is a tempting lure for all Ohio State students. The lure is stronger for time-strapped new mothers, trying to juggle class, work and their toddling children.
“It was the easist thing to do to go through the drive-through,” said Heidi Hood, an OSU graduate with a degree in human development and family sciences. “And time takes priority over health sometimes. If I was on campus, I’d eat at McDonald’s.”
When rushing home to see her 3-year-old son Jacob, Hood tried to make a healthier choice, but was impeded by the drive home.
“I’d try lettuce wraps and other healthy stuff, but it became such a mess while I was driving,” Hood said. “My advice would be to try and find something that you can eat while doing something else, like studying or in some cases driving.”
New mothers at OSU face unique challenges involving nutrition, time management and money. While it is easy to fall into the habit of frequenting fast-food restaurants, packing and planning meals can have a positive effect on the health of moms on campus.
“It’s very important for new moms to still get in their three meals a day,” said Allison Krall, R.D., L.D. and clinical dietician for the OSU Medical Center.
“Many women after pregnancy are still a little low in their iron stores. Things like spinach and broccoli have a lot of iron, and meat and chicken are important for protein as well.”
Moms who are breast-feeding also have different dietary recommendations. According to Krall, women who breast-feed need an extra 500 calories in their daily diet and an additional four to six cups of fluid to the regular eight cups.
“Of course we prefer that these fluids are water or other sugar-free beverages,” Krall said. “No pop or sugary juices.”
Hood and Krall both said they strongly recommend packing meals or snacks and bringing them from home. Hood said she often brought crackers or carrots with her to campus.
“Pre-packed or canned fruits and vegetables are great because they’re a healthy alternative and you can grab them and go,” Krall said. “And if you get into the habit of eating out of vending machines, not only is it unhealthy, but it will cost you a lot of money too. A 10-pack of granola bars at Costco is $2. Planning ahead at the grocery store is another effective way to save time and money while staying healthy.”
New moms should also know that fast food restaurants on campus are not completely off-limits.
“The Wendy’s value menu has different salads and other good choices,” Krall said. “You can get a value chili, which is high in iron and fiber, and a side salad, and have a quick, healthy meal for about $2.”
Krall also recommends sandwich shops as an occasional alternative without consuming greasier foods.
New moms can find support from Buckeyes with Babies, a group at OSU that aims to alleviate some of the scheduling issues that make a healthy diet and exercise a near impossibility. The group was started in the spring of 2005 by Athena Kramarius and Megan Mellquist, who has since graduated.
“We started the group as a way to support one another and to meet people,” Mellquist said. “And we also wanted to have fun. Moms don’t have fun like other students, going to bars and everything. We meet up and do fun things with our kids.”
In addition to fun activities like an Easter egg hunt on the Ohio Union lawn last spring, Buckeyes with Babies also organizes common exercise times at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center, where there is a child care center.
“It is definitely motivating and helpful to have a group like that,” Hood said. “And during our workouts I knew my child would be with kids he is familiar with and used to playing with.”
Mothers interested in joining the group or getting on their mailing list can e-mail Athena Kramarius at [email protected].
One effective strategy agreed on by Krall, Hood and Mellquist is the utilization of leftovers.
“If you make a larger portion than you need for dinner, just wrap it up afterwards,” Krall said. “The next day you have prepackaged leftovers. That saves time and means you’ll have a healthier choice on campus.”
Mellquist, who is a vegetarian, suggests getting a large portion from Pesto on campus and taking the leftovers home. No matter what the method is, Krall believes the most important thing to remember for new moms on campus is to adhere to dietary guidelines.
“A lot of new moms are trying to lose the baby weight and everything,” Krall said. “And they can do it by making sensible choices and making sure they’re getting the nutrition they need.”
Glenn Forbes can be reached at [email protected].
