Healthy Dining in the Dorms

15 Ways to Keep the Freshman 15 at Bay!

-- By Emily Vale, Staff Writer

Freshman 15. It's what everyone talks about (and every student worries about) when the topics of college and campus living arise. I told myself that it wouldn’t happen to me. But it did a little. In high school, I played sports year-round, so I ate more to compensate for all of the calories I was burning on the soccer field and basketball court. When I got to college, the extent of my exercise was walking around campus and the occasional visit to the rec center. There was the problem: I was still eating more calories (thanks to all-you-can-eat dining halls), but I wasn't as active. I knew I'd have to eat less or exercise more if I was to stop the weight gain in its tracks.

This year I’ve taken a different approach. Instead of eating whatever I want, I’ve been choosing more fruit and vegetables (which are healthy, filling and low in calories) and simply eating bit less in general. So here are 15 dining hall tips that work for me. They can help you prevent those unwanted pounds from creeping up, too, especially when you establish good eating habits right from the beginning of your school year.

1. Eat breakfast. It will give you energy and rev metabolism first thing in the morning. In the dining hall, try to skip the pancakes, doughnuts, sausage, bacon and Belgian waffles. Choose a whole wheat bagel with low-fat cream cheese, scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast, or whole grain cereal with low-fat milk. Add some fresh fruit to round out your meal and you're set!

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