BATON ROUGE, La. – Jamie Meeks, sports nutrition coordinator for LSU, spoke with freshman football players Tuesday about the importance of eating healthy, and that eating healthy does not have to take a lot of their time.
The LSU football freshman are in a program created by the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes’ Director of Academic Affairs Walt Holliday, and facilitated by Associate Director James Chiarchiaro and football Academic Advisor Jason Shaw called Students With A Game Plan (SWAG). The vision behind this program was to assist first year football student-athletes in their acclamation to LSU during their first fall semester.
The course focuses on the transition to college living and learning, while educating student-athletes on healthy lifestyle decisions.
“At this point, I already have a good relationship with the freshman football players, and they know that I am big on nutrition being a part of their training regimen and ticket to their future in the NFL,” Meeks said. “This particular nutrition talk is to show them how to prepare quick, easy, and healthy foods for their busy days as a student-athlete.”
Meeks explained to the student-athletes that making egg sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and even Pita Pizzas in the toaster oven are all very simple and quick items they can make themselves.
“The guys soon realize that they do have time for a quick, wholesome meal or snack each and every day to enhance energy levels and promote proper recovery,” Meeks said.
Additionally, Meeks promotes healthy eating and living for all student-athletes through her twitter, Instagram and blog. With her @HealthyTigerLSU twitter account, she posts pictures of LSU student-athletes who are participating in healthy eating habits and articles about various nutrition facts.
“Jamie’s talk was fun and entertaining,” offensive lineman William Clapp said. “With the tips she gave us, I can start to make easy and filling meals.”
LSU student-athletes even tweet to her while they are participating in healthy lifestyles on their own with Meeks often responding with encouragement.
“I really enjoyed Jamie and all of her tips on eating healthy food items and making quick meals instead of picking what we think is the faster option,” freshman safety John Battle said. “I truly believe that her tips will help me out.”
The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes is a 54,000 square foot facility comprised of an academic affairs, student affairs and an information technology team, serving more than 530 student-athletes. The purpose is to provide an all-inclusive, student-centered support structure for all student-athletes from matriculation, through graduation and life beyond.