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Appalachian students experiment with quickie diets |
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Tuesday, 12 September 2006 |
by JESSE WOOD
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
“Nothing but juice.”
For a week, this is what Rob J. Lenfestey, a senior sustainable development major, consumed. The next two weeks, he ate only raw foods.
He juiced oranges, broccoli and carrots mixed with ginger. Also, he took shots of “super concentrated wheatgrass.”
During the first couple of days, hunger struck and his energy level fluctuated.
But, he said, his mind was “clearheaded, more awake than normal.”
“Once you get past [the hunger stage], it is amazing,” Lenfestey said.
On day three, a “full-on powerful feeling with short spurts” of energy loss arrived.
He said the energy came “back very quickly.”
Throughout the three weeks, he continued his “highly active” lifestyle, rock climbing and mountain biking.
“I felt more fluid, had more energy and better reaction time,”
Lenfestey said. “If I did it again, I would add whey protein. [Lack of
protein] was probably why my endurance was off.”
Laura M. Benezra is the registered dietician for faculty and students.
“What [Lenfestey] did was not unhealthy,” Benezra said, “But he should have discussed [his diet plans] with a dietician.”
Laura M. Hersey, a senior art major, had a less than exhilarating quickie-health experience, as she fasted during her period.
“Don’t do it,” Hersey said. “It was horrible.”
“I started blacking out the first day,” she said.
After the blackout spell, her boyfriend, Appalachian State alumnus Andrew J. McCabe, made her eat.
Her diet consisted of a clay powder and organic juice drink.
During hunger bouts, she ate fruits and vegetables.
She said the food had to be organic, raw and unprocessed.
Women crave food most during their period, Hersey said.
Lack of iron was also an issue since she was already losing iron because of blood loss, Hersey said.
“[I couldn’t] put iron back in [my] system because [I was] not eating
meat,” she said. “Next time I would plan better…I think it would be a
lot different if I didn’t have my period.”
Nutritional regimes will affect people differently, Benezra said.
“[Hersey] may have a completely different body type than [Lenfestey],” Benezra said.
“Her cravings – if she were really hungry – were telling her body that she needed food.”
People changing their nutritional intake “really need to talk to an expert, if they are fighting a cold or flu,” Benezra said.
Adverse effects could arise, affecting the individual depending on their body structure, she said.
“A proper diet would include all the major food groups, probably at
least 1200 calories,” Appalachian State assistant professor of health
promotions Dr. Steven R. McAnulty said.
“I would also recommend any diet be accompanied by a regular exercise program.”
Without those aforementioned ingredients, McAnulty said, a long lasting diet “is not a smart idea.”
Laura Benezra is available for individual dietary consultations. Call 262–6314 to schedule required appointments.
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