ON NUTRITION: OFF-TO-COLLEGE ADVICE

Nutrition may not be the first thing you think about as you embark on college life. But as you feed your body, so you feed your mind. Here are some nutrition equations that may be important to learn.

Count to four: National data collected from almost 17,000 Americans found that four basic lifestyle behaviors predict who probably will live a longer, healthier life. They are: Never smoke, eat a healthy diet, get adequate physical activity and drink alcohol moderately (or not at all).

Divide (your plate) by three: In the cafeteria line or out with your friends, make half your plate vegetables, one-fourth protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, soy or other meat substitutes, and the other fourth starches such as bread, rice, pasta or pizza crust (whole grains preferred).

Add two or three: That many daily cups of milk, yogurt or other calcium-enriched foods fortify young bodies for the rigors of college life with valuable protein, vitamins and minerals. And don't be afraid of chocolate milk, especially if you are an athlete.

Add five: That's how many cups of fruits and vegetables to aim for each day, say experts.

Lastly, what's a young college student to do when the nutritional road gets rough? Call home. You'll always have someone to tell you what to put in your refrigerator.