For students at the University of Saskatchewan, eating is a daily task; while enjoyable for some, many struggle with their relationship with food. This January, one campus workshop will shed light on this relationship and promote healthy eating habits among students.

As a university student, it is easy to turn to unhealthy eating habits.

According to a study conducted in 2013 by the American College Health Association, many students at the U of S eat far less than the recommended daily serving of fruit and vegetables, with only 18.7 per cent of students consuming a full five servings per day. Craving Change, a program offered by clinicians, companies and organizations around Canada and internationally, aims to improve participants’ knowledge about healthy eating and to help people change their eating habits by focusing on the triggers that cause them to eat in an unhealthy way.

Raelin Bliss, a senior wellness specialist with Wellness Resources at the U of S, describes the main areas of focus in the workshop that help participants reach their goals.

“The Craving Change workshop focuses on four key areas in order to promote a healthy lifestyle: better understanding why changing eating behaviours can be difficult, self evaluation through tools such as workbooks, instructions on how to best implement planned changes and gaining the tools to maintain these adjustments longterm,” Bliss said, in an email to the Sheaf.

The workshop, held on an annual basis, is open to all U of S students, faculty and staff. Participants in the workshop meet for an hour each week for a period of five weeks. Although the 18 spots in the January workshop are currently full, Bliss explains that if enough interest is expressed by potential participants, a second workshop may be held. Bliss also mentions that Wellness Resources holds other events throughout the year, including the Mindfulness Meditation workshops that take place on campus.

Bliss explains that a major aspect of the workshop is for participants to recognize triggers that cause them to have unhealthy habits. Once participants have found their triggers, facilitators will help them build the tools to change their thoughts and behaviours so that they can make healthier choices.

“Each person has their own personal eating triggers. The workshop allows each participant to reflect on how their own thoughts, behaviours and emotions interact to trigger their own personal eating triggers,” Bliss said.

The workshop is led by a certified Craving Change facilitator who helps participants through the activities, such as discussions in which they can learn from other participants by comparing their triggers and habits. According to Bliss, the workshop also features a client workbook that participants can keep as a resource and use once the workshop is complete.

“Using the Craving Change client workbook, the facilitator presents materials, allows participants time to complete some assignments within the workbook and leads group discussions. Between each session, participants may have some take-home work. For example, examining your own trigger, [like] feeling tired, and eating response, [like] eating chocolate,” Bliss said.

While the program is open to everyone on campus, Bliss believes that it is best suited to a particular type of participant.

“People who struggle to maintain healthy eating habits and use eating as an emotional crutch [will benefit most]. The program is ideal for weight loss, chronic disease management and [for] those simply seeking a healthier relationship with food,” Bliss said.

She reports that feedback about the Craving Change workshop has been positive.

“We have received great response from participants. The group discussions are valuable especially to hear from others regarding what strategies they have successfully implemented to change their eating behaviours,” Bliss said.

According to Bliss, the main thing students can do to change their eating habits for the better is recognize their triggers.

“[Students can] become aware as to what are their own personal eating triggers and … learn strategies to break those habits.”

If you would like to have your name added to a wait-list for the Craving Change workshop, email wellnessresources@usask.ca.

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Lauren Hope

Photo: Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor