It’s easy to get caught up in your first year at college. There are classes, clubs, Greek life and – we can’t forget – boys, so it might be easy to find yourself looking for fast meals and even faster caffeine fixes. When you find yourself wandering around campus looking for a quick fix, keep these few things in mind. They might just help you have a freshman-15-free year and save some money along the way.
1. There is more to this world than Chick-Fil-A.
Don’t get me wrong, waffle fries are the way to my heart, but just because it’s delicious doesn’t mean it’s good for you. With Captain’s Cash and class starting in 20 minutes, it’s easy to feel like you only have time to grab a quick bite. When you think about the lines and the time it takes to get your food, though, you might as well go into the dining hall and get a Simply-To-Go meal. There you can get an entree, a side, a drink and a dessert, and it costs a single Meal Plan swipe. While this isn’t exactly your favorite meal of chicken nuggets with honey mustard, it is healthier and cheaper for freshman Meal Plan holders.
2. Caffeine is not exclusive to the frappuccino.
Yes, girl, I know frappuccinos are like heaven in a cup, but they’re actually sugar, ice, milk and syrup in a cup. A little less appetizing now, but I’ll admit it’s still delicious. If you’re looking for a quick caffeine fix while getting that last minute homework done, look no further than your own dorm room. A basic coffee maker can cost around $8.74 and $10.84 at your local Walmart. Plus, if you want a cute teal one to match your color scheme, you can find one there! Add in the cost of coffee to brew and some cream, then you’ve hit $20, and you’re set for a month. How much is a frappuccino these days? Make your own coffee the way you like it, and you’ve saved money and calories that can be put to better use somewhere else.
3. Alcohol has more calories than you would think.
They call it a beer gut for a reason. There’s nothing wrong with nursing a beer or two at a party, but if your intent is to get drunk, remember not all alcohol is created equal. I know all the underage girls reading this have never even thought of touching alcohol, but in case you’re out and about and watching your figure, keep in mind that the average Mike’s Hard has about 200 calories in it.
4. Everything in moderation.
I made it this far without sounding like your mother, but there’s a reason she tells you this all the time. Eating an entire package of Oreos is just not productive. At that point, you have finished the package, and you’re feeling full of disappointment and regret, mostly because now you have no more Oreos. Avoid the dilemma altogether and eat a few as a reward for opting for a healthy dinner. This way you won’t binge eat out of hunger, but you still get the taste of your favorite treats.
The freshman 15 is a dark cloud that looms over all first-year students at colleges across the country. It’s easier than you think to fall into bad habits that will take you the rest of college to fix.
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