In the Thick of It:  Parenting During Mid-Semester Stress  

Fading is the excitement of being back or starting new.  Students look tired, many have a cold brewing, and some have gained weight while others have lost.  Many have failed or skipped something - a quiz, a test, a class.  What seemed fun and possible may now be exhausting and even feel unattainable.  Some students are thriving, but many are working against a tide of depletion

- lack of sleep, poor diet, and stress. 

Read the complete article to learn 6 things you can do to support your student during mid-semester stress and beyond. 

"Eating on campus is a new experience for any entering freshman.  They have left "mom's cooking" for the freedom and independence of making their own choices in the dining halls and at local college restaurants.  Will they survive?  Yes, and the choice is theirs.  This is now one area of your student's life in which you really don't have control, but you can have a positive role in guiding your student toward better decisions.

How can you help your child to make healthy food choices while away at school and avoid the Freshman 15?  What do you do as a parent if you become aware that you college student is making less than wise food choices leading to excessive weight gain?" 

Did You Know?   College Food Trends 

GAITHERSBURG, Md., December 14, 2009 - "Sodexo, leader in Quality of Life Solutions, and foodservice provider to 600 campuses in the United States, carefully monitors students' taste buds because good food boosts a student's college experience. This year's college food trends list reveals students want locally-sourced food that provides comfort with a twist. Items that top the list are regional and global comfort foods.

Sodexo's culinary team and customer insight experts released a food trends list for 2010:

College Food Trends in 2010

1.   Apricot-glazed Turkey 
2.   Meatloaf with Frizzle-Fried Onions 
3.   Vietnamese Pho (Rice Noodle Soup) 
4.   Vegetarian Lentil Shepherd's Pie 
5.   Chicken Adobo (Mexican Stew with Chilies) 
6.   Stuffed Pork Chops 
7.   Vegetarian Jambalaya 
8.   Lemon Herbed Baked Tilapia 
9.   Rotisserie Chicken 
10. Home Style Pot Roast

College Campus Favorites by Region:

• South Central Region: Red Beans and Rice
• Midwest: Home Style Roast Beef
• Northwest: Classic Carved Turkey
• Mid Atlantic: Chicken Pot Pie
• Northeast: New England Clam Chowder
• Southeast: Traditional Meatloaf

• Southwest: Fish Tacos

The 2010 College Food Trends list was developed by Sodexo's Customer Insight team with research from Sodexo's Student Board of Directors, student Food Choice Awards events, Nielsen's Annual Restaurant Audit, Teenage Research Unlimited, Technomics Menu Monitor, NPD Group, Sodexo's culinary team of chefs and vendor partners.