We’ve all heard of the dreaded Freshman 15, but most of us tend to tell ourselves, “That won’t happen to me.” But when you’re living in a dorm and you’re surrounded by dining halls with unlimited choices, it can be hard (to say the least) to make healthy decisions.
So, whether you’re new to dorm living or you’re starting Round Two of living on campus as a sophomore, here are some tips to making healthy choices this school year.
If you’re eating at a dining hall, you’ll be surrounded by fried foods and dessert tables, but there are definitely ways to choose healthy options and not overeat.
Often times, even when we are full we finish everything on our plate because we don’t want to be wasteful. To avoid doing this, start with the salad and fruit bar. Fill up your plate and sit down, that way you aren’t tempted to grab more than you’ll end up eating. But don’t forget to listen to your body. If you’re still hungry afterwards, it’s okay to grab another plate. Make sure to get servings of protein as well as fruits and vegetables.
Don’t keep junk food in your dorm room.
When it’s late at night and you’re busy studying, you probably won’t want to go out to grab food. So, you should keep healthy options in your dorm room. While it may be a pain to not have access to kitchen supplies, there are healthy snacks you can keep in your room that you can feel good about eating.
Keep cold foods like fruit, raw vegetables, and low-fat cheese and yogurts in your refrigerator.
Choose a healthy breakfast like oatmeal that can be made easily in your microwave or try yogurt with fruit and granola.
Dip whole-wheat crackers, pretzels, or vegetables in hummus. When you want something sweet, try dark chocolate with almonds or walnuts.
Remember, proper sleep and exercise are also necessary for a healthy lifestyle. While it’s important to work hard in college, treat your body right and give it the time and attention it needs to function properly and stay healthy!