I often am told, "Diet and exercise are really just based on common sense."

That statement is true if you expend the calories you consume in one day.

Unfortunately, society cannot seem to grasp this simple concept, as is indicated by our nation's obesity epidemic.

That is why I am a nutrition major, drawing chemical structures and metabolic pathways for the past four years. That piece of paper I will receive May 14 is to prove to everyone that nutrition may be complicated to grasp biochemically, but easy to understand once you know the basics.

I admit it -- I have been to hell and back trying to understand carnitine biosynthesis and the Krebs cycle while memorizing the structures of all the amino acids.

Fortunately for me, my future clients most likely will never ask me to explain the step-by-step process of gluconeogenesis.

Most people never realize these processes are going on as part of normal nutrition and metabolism. Many people think that consumed food is magically taken to where it is supposed to go.

The point is that there are a lot of people out there who are pretty clueless about nutrition, so I am glad I had an opportunity with this column to help educate the Penn State community about such an important part of everyone's lives.

Throughout the semester, I have received many e-mails and even some questions while out at a bar with friends.

Sometimes I think it is odd that people pick me out as "that girl who writes about food" from a tiny picture in a college newspaper.

But at the same time, it is pretty cool to know that people appreciate nutrition and enjoy my articles, so thank you to everyone who has.

I wanted to take this opportunity to address some important concerns I have not been able to answer, so I've decided to include in my last column two e-mails I received recently (shortened for your reading pleasure).

First, K. Williams from the National Eating Disorder Association in New York wrote: "It is because of people such as yourself that hopefully we will be able to have an impact on the public and help spread eating disorder awareness."

K., this comment is important to me because I think all of us -- clinicians, nutritionists, friends and family members -- must work together to help prevent eating disorders.

If there is one piece of advice I can leave behind for students who are struggling with an eating disorder, it is that life gets better, and though it will not be easy, you will get through this. Believe me, I am speaking from my own experience with an eating disorder.

Understand that anorexia and bulimia are not actually about taking control, because your habits actually are causing your body to function out of control. The second you make the decision to become a strong and healthy individual is when you regain control.

For anyone out there who is struggling with these issues, my support is always with you.

Second, a reader named Eric wrote: "What do you think about the use of artificial sweeteners like Splenda instead of sugar?"

Eric, I am glad you asked; this was a subject I wish I had more time and space to write about. I use artificial sweeteners despite the objections of some health professionals. Artificial sweeteners are a great substitute for table-sugar calories. For instance, a calorie-free beverage such as coffee can become a 60- to 100-calorie beverage when table sugar and creamers are added.

Sorbitol and mannitol are two sugars that can be used to replace other sugars found in products such as hard candies or gum. These are derived from alcohol and can easily be converted from fructose to glucose.

The trouble, however, is that they take a longer period of time to be absorbed into the intestines and can cause a person to experience laxative or gaseous results.

Saccharin once was thought to contribute to the cause of bladder cancer in men. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was not able to support this claim. Still, more people today use aspartame instead of saccharin. This may be because aspartame has a less bitter aftertaste than saccharin.

As I mentioned in last week's column about The Cookie Monster's new diet and many columns before it, the key is moderation. If there is one thing you all take away from reading my columns this past year, I hope that is it.

I am glad people are willing to question the why's and how's of nutrition.

It makes me feel better to know that people want to take control of their bodies.