Have you ever heard that old saying that abs are made in the kitchen? While nutrition, exercise, and sleep make up a vital trio to health, nutrition has proven to be the most impactful when it comes to weight loss. According to the Huffington Post, weight loss is generally 75% diet and 25% exercise, proving that the old idiom “you can’t out exercise a bad diet” also holds true. Here are four ways to combat the freshman fifteen at college and feel great for summer without calorie counting yourself to insanity.
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Eat when you are hungry, not bored: Next time you are eyeing that cage cookie, ask yourself if you are hungry enough to eat a bowl of carrots or an apple. If not, you are probably eating out of boredom, not hunger.
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Shop the Caf: Have you ever heard the idiom “shop the perimeter of the supermarket?” Rather than automatically going to the home line every night, do a little exploring. Pick up some veggies by the pizza, visit the deli for a little pesto, the grill line for a malibu burger and grains for a dollop of hummus. Shopping the Caf is the closest you will come to a gourmet experience in Stav Hall, and will test your chef abilities in the process.
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Fill your plate with veggies first: Vegetables constitute the lowest calorie food on the planet because of their high water content. If you are looking to lose or maintain your weight, try filling up your plate with vegetables before other macronutrients (protein and fat have more calories per ounce) and you will be creating a filling yet lower calorie meal overall.
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Stick to one portion at each meal: With a buffet style dining hall, it’s easy to overdo it when there is consistently a wide array of delicious entrees, cereal, and desserts (and unlimited helpings). However, if you set a standard for yourself to stick to one portion from the beginning, it will soon become a routine. If you are still hungry after eating, try following your meal up with a cup of tea or Sobe Lifewater from the fountain machine. Another useful tool is to stick to smaller platewear, so consider filling a small bowl rather than a large plate.
Sources:
“Food Rules” by Michael Pollan
Photos: http://photopin.com/free-photos/health-food