Many students walk into the Geiser and don’t dare to look at what is being served that day because, although some don’t care about calorie or healthy choices, many do.
Rachel Micciche is a certified dietician and the College’s catering supervisor. She holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree in culinary arts and a Bachelor of Science in dietetics.
“Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist,” Micciche said. “But a dietitian is someone who went through a four-year, certified program on dietetics and graduated that program.”
The college is trying to offer healthier options, and Micciche is helping pave the way.
“Students could do a lot to endorse campus nutrition. It all does back to peer pressure,” Micciche explains. “If one student starts to eat healthier, others will follow and it could create a domino effect.”
The Wellness Committee, which is composed of students, faculty and staff, is working to help her create a more health-conscious environment. As a member of the committee, Micciche often takes ideas and puts them into practice. For example, one of the ideas presented was to create a daily 1,500-calorie meal plan.
“I hope the students are open to it and really appreciate that we are trying,” said Micciche. “It’s always hard to be the first to start something and have it catch on.”
The 1,500-calore plan is featured on one of the screens when you enter the Geiser.
Micciche says that exercise follows suit when trying to remain fit and healthy. In her case, she works late nights, so she is glad that the Weed is open until 10 p.m. When she’s home, she spends time with her fiancé, who is “quite an outdoorsy individual,” and tries to remain as active as possible.
Recreation
Exercise is where, Jon Accardi, the director of campus recreation, comes in.
“I think many students on college campuses need to be more creative with their decisions,” he says. “We all need some self control and there is no value in drinking a gallon of soda and eating a quart of ice cream a day.”
Accardi is in charge of many campus-wide activities such as Zumba, a cardio-dance program that allows participants to burn calories while learning Latin dance movements. Other activities include club sports, intramurals, outdoor pursuits, and Wii games. A full list is available on the Campus Recreation Web site.
Accardi hopes students’ interest in leading a healthy lifestyle will increase. He encourages students to develop their own ideas for health-related programs.
“It’s the students who need to show a desire for such programming,” he says.
Both Micciche and Accardi hope to make a difference on campus by promoting healthy choices among students.
“I have all this energy to make a difference; I just hope it doesn’t fizzle out,” says Micciche.
