Nutrition can be one of the toughest parts of being a college student. Between classes, work, practice and extra curricular commitments, eating healthy is usually the least of our concerns. Being in a rush, we sometimes just grab whatever can be prepared the fastest. A greasy late night snack is the usual choice after a night of being cooped up in the library or coming back from a night out. It is hard to be healthy all the time in college, but making the slightest changes and being more aware of what we choose to put into our bodies can make all the difference.

Being a student-athlete and a vegan, I have always been interested in nutrition and what I can do to be the healthiest me possible. This weekly column will highlight all aspects of nutrition and fitness and will even include questions sent in by students.

Currently, my latest food obsession is chia seeds. Yes, these are the seeds that were made famous by the “Chia Pet” sensation in the ‘90s, but these seeds are making a comeback. Packed with antioxidants, protein, fiber, zinc, iron and omega-3 fats, these seeds are anyone’s secret weapons to make any dish instantly healthy.

These seeds have been known to help boost weight loss. When added to water they become a type of gel, tricking your stomach into being full faster. Their gel form is also great for athletes because it helps to hydrate the body. These tiny seeds even contain more Omega-3 fats than salmon and other fish.

The best part about chia seeds is that they can provide you with a dose of energy. I usually add them into my breakfast smoothies to boost my energy in the morning. I even sprinkle them over my salads to add some extra zing to them. These seeds are so small that you can basically put them over any food, such as yogurt, pudding, cottage cheese, cereal, granola, toast and even pasta.

You can even sprinkle these seeds over any type of baked goods, such as cookies, muffins and bread. Put them over your food before putting them in the oven and they will instantly increase the fiber content of your sweets.

These seeds can be found virtually at any grocery store. Wegmans in Dewitt has chia seeds in the Nature’s Market section and near the dairy section for $7.99 a bag. Price Chopper also carries the Spectrum brand Chia Seeds for $8.15 a bag.

Wegmans carries the “Mamma Chia” brand juice drinks that are refreshing and healthy. Each drink contains 2500mg omega-3, 4g protein, 95mg of calcium, antioxidants and fiber. They were recently featured in “The New York Times” for being the first company to fully promote and incorporate the seeds into their beverage products.

Add chia seeds to anything you eat to give yourself an extra boost throughout the day. They’re a simple and accessible way to make any meal healthy and great for your body.

If you have any questions, or suggestions for column topics, email “The Dolphin” at [email protected].