Many students base their eating habits around online media

Results from a study that was conducted by researchers at the Rochester Institute of Technology indicate that college-age students are turning to social media as their primary source of dietary guidance, as well as outside communication.

"Eating is now just one of several activities being multi-tasked at once, all of which generally involve computers and smartphones, including surfing the Web, communicating with friends via Facebook and doing homework," lead researcher Madeline Varno said.

According to the poll's findings, young adults are more likely to ask their online friends about recipes and cooking instructions than to consult a traditional cookbook. Likewise, most students search online for information about nutrition and healthy food options.

Varno noted that some respondents reported that they were wary of some nutritional advice that can be found online, although the scholars said that they use Facebook and Twitter to consult their peers about the legitimacy of their suggested meal choices.

The wealth of food recommendations that are available online may be overwhelming for some people. However, healthy eating can be achieved simply through a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats.