Tips on Fighting the Freshman 15

It's one of the biggest fears on every single college campus across the United States. Finding its way into dorm rooms and cafeterias with much less than an open invitation. Its appearance reminds freshman students that they are truly in college. And if dealing with having to live with complete strangers, classes, finals, and insane professors aren't enough to deal with, the potential Freshman 15 will surely add another dimension to the uneasiness of this new life. Freshman students must face the new freedom of eating whatever they want-- or, at least, whatever they can afford. But before you decide that its just cheaper and easier to split the $5 pizza delivery deal with your roommate 4 nights a week and simply buy bigger pants, there are ways to ward off the evil weight gain that haunts every new college student. Please know that you don't have to be the next victim of the Freshman 15.

Think Before You Eat

Variety is not only the spice of life, but it is also the key to maintaining a balanced diet. A healthy combination of proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grain carbs, and dairy products will help you maintain a healthy body weight. One thing remains true on every college campus, the cafeteria is stocked daily with greasy foods like pizza, burgers, french fries, and fried chicken. And not only is the food readily available, its also the least expensive. Most students forego the salad bar because salad and fruit are sold according to weight. A typical meal-sized salad could end up costing you anywhere from $5 to $10. That's a scary thought when you can buy a head of lettuce for under $1.

Instead of purchasing a meal plan from your college's cafeteria, buy a small refrigerator and microwave (most dorms come with them) for your dorm room. Stock it with single serve portions of your favorite proteins, fruits, veggies, and dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese. Most dorms have community kitchens where you can prepare your meals. If time is an issue, cook on Saturdays or Sundays to avoid having to prepare food every night of the week. Or, if you travel home for the weekends, ask your mother to prepare some healthy choices that you can freeze and eat during the week. If you have no alternative, and must visit the cafeteria, choose the healthiest foods you can find. Have baked chicken instead of fried. Choose a green vegetable in lieu of the french fries. And equally important, have water instead of Coke.

Snack Wisely

Dorm vending machines--or, as I call them, vertical buffets-- are not your friends. Not only are the options extremely unhealthy, they are also extremely overpriced. Be sure to purchase snack options on your trips to the grocery store. Granola or fruit and grain bars are convenient and easier on the waste line than a Snicker. Choose trail mix, pretzels, or light butter popcorn instead of potato chips. Keep plenty of bananas on hand. A banana is the ultimate snack food--it is naturally fat free and will provide you with more than enough energy to sustain late night study sessions and long treks across campus. If junk food is your weakness, have your guilty snacks in moderation.