We’ve all done it: As the new year rolls around, we make promises to ourselves to eat healthier, work out more often and get in shape.But, as school starts, priorities other than the food pyramid and the gym take over, and healthy living takes a backseat to grades and partying.

Not surprisingly, nutritionists agree food and exercise are fundamental parts of staying healthy.

And, while we may think we understand the age-old adage “you are what you eat,” the truth is we often underestimate the impact food has on our bodies, said Dr. Stephen Wangen, founder of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment center and specialist in food allergies and digestive problems.

“Eating healthy is a very generic definition,” Wangen said. “We, as humans, have dramatically changed our diet with the development of agriculture.”

Wangen said the main ingredients in almost every food produced in America are wheat, dairy, eggs, corn and soy.

This can create problems for people whose bodies act adversely to these kinds of foods, Wangen said. More than half of the population has some kind of food allergy, which includes digestive problems, fatigue, lack of clarity and constant colds.

So how can one eliminate these problems and eat healthier?

Gina Hill, assistant professor for the Department of Nutritional Sciences, said the key is to choose different foods from different food groups.

“Some people may make the mistake of resolving to eat more vegetables but then only eating green beans,” Hill said.

Hill stressed eating all types of food in moderation is one of the best ways to eat healthy.

“Moderation is a dietician’s favorite word,” Hill said.

And for the women who made a resolution to diet this semester?

Hill said watching proportion size and, surprisingly, calories from liquids.

“Twenty to 25 percent of the average American’s intake from calories comes from liquids,” Hill said.

Often, something as simple as cream and sugar to a coffee can add hundreds of calories to the drink, Hill said, who added black coffee is calorie-free.

But healthy living requires more than just eating right.

Matthew Johnson, assistant professor of sports psychology, said exercise even in small amounts can significantly help a person stay healthy.

“The best thing to do is exercise at an intensity that’s comfortable for you,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the majority of students who resolve to exercise for the new year generally do well – until the first wave of tests come and school becomes a priority for the rest of the semester.

The way around these “road blocks,” as Johnson called them, is to plan ahead.

“If you know you have a big test coming up, plan to eat healthy snacks as you study,” Johnson said, “and make time to work out.”

Johnson said the three main barriers to working out are a perceived lack of time, lack of energy and low motivation.

To overcome these, Johnson recommends that people think about the time in their lives they were the healthiest and identify what they were doing right.

“Was it the people around you? Were you training for something? Did you have more time?” Johnson asked. “The key is to focus on what has been successful, not on what hasn’t.”

Small changes are going to make the most difference because a person is more likely to adapt to small changes than large, overwhelming ones, Johnson said.

“We create change from our strengths and successes,” Johnson said.

The bottom line from all the experts: living a healthy lifestyle is feasible, even for busy college students.