While nutrition might not always be at the forefront of college students’ minds, Wolfe Nutrition, a new small business in Starkville, is spurring healthy eating conversations.
Recently, nutrition businesses are mainly known as places that sell the newest craze: loaded teas. However, Wolfe Nutrition owner Katelyn Wolfe wants to put a different meaning to that term.
“Unfortunately, a lot of those tea and shake stores also have the word nutrition in their name. They sell the pre-made powdered shakes and teas, and this is not the same thing,” Wolfe said.
Wolfe is a registered dietitian who lives in Starkville. She has worked as a bariatric counselor to help those who have undergone bariatric surgery adjust their eating habits after surgery. She will continue counseling online as she runs Wolfe Nutrition. Wolfe said she wanted more full-time work while helping the people in her community, so she decided to open her own nutrition company.
Wolfe said she wants to work with college students and the Starkville community to help better their nutrition. While Wolfe is open to the entire city, there are organizations on Mississippi State University’s campus specifically for students interested in healthy eating.
The Student Dietetic Association (SDA) has monthly meetings where they bring in guest speakers to speak to students about different ways to stay healthy. According to its website, the Student Dietetic Association aspires to foster nutritious lifestyles in the MSU and Starkville communities.
Julia Bristow, a senior food science nutrition health promotion major, is the president of SDA. She said college students’ nutrition is crucial to a student’s overall health.
“Nutrition in college students is something that is very important. I think that a lot of people are aware of how important it is to eat healthy, but in college, you are in that time of not living with your parents anymore, and you have to make your own eating habits, and it can be a hard time to transition,” Bristow said.
According to the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, only 9.2% out of 676 college students involved in the study consumed vegetables and fruits every day.
Wolfe said that there are multiple drinks college students should limit to keep a healthy diet.
“We don’t want to overlook beverages as a source of a lot of extra calories, not only beverages that are alcoholic beverages but even sodas, juice, punch and tea,” Wolfe said.
Wolfe said drinking water is crucial for day-to-day life. Wolfe said since Hydro Flasks and other reusable water bottles have become trendy, more young people are encouraged to drink water.
Senior food science nutrition health promotion major Amy Pham gave tips for making healthy choices as a college student.
“I really think a lot of people are not taught how to cook, and that’s another reason why they believe cooking is a chore rather than something that is fun. There are a lot of meals that you can make that are nutritious and easy. I think that is a lot better than going out and buying fast food. My tip would be to make a grocery list and cook a meal that you like to cook, and you like to eat,” club Secretary Pham said. 
SDA is not just for nutrition majors, Pham said. Anyone with an interest in healthy eating can join. 
Wolfe Nutrition has a Facebook page, and those interested in improving their nutrition can direct message the page.

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Courtesy Photo | Katelyn Wolfe

Wolfe Nutrition owner Katelyn Wolfe encourages college students to add more fruits and vegetables to their diets for a healthy lifestyle.