From as far back as I can remember, I have always heard of the dreaded Freshman 15. Even walking around campus, you can see that it is a very real thing — likely because of the food that’s readily available from 7 a.m. until midnight. However, this weight gain is actually preventable! With the right tools, knowledge and, of course, willpower to keep yourself on track, eating healthy on campus can be much easier than you think.
One of the tools I have used in the past that has worked remarkably well is simply to write down what I eat. It is that easy. You may wonder, “How is this is going to help me eat better on campus?” but trust me — I swear by this. When you know that you have to write down everything you eat and drink, you start becoming more conscious about the decisions you make. Knowing that you are going to have to write down that cookie you just grabbed may help you reach for a piece of fruit. This practice also helps you fully realize not only what you’re eating, but also how much you’re eating. If you’re like me, you tend to eat when you’re bored. I do really like food, but when I record what I eat, I tend to only eat when I am actually hungry versus when I have nothing else to do.
By writing down what you are drinking, you can help yourself stay away from sugary drinks and lean more toward water, teas and other fluids that have more benefits for your body. At the end of a week, when you review what you have eaten, you may see a change and even have a sense of pride about the choices you made.
If you haven’t noticed, the university has now placed nutrition facts for all of the items it serves in the cafeteria, Caps and so on. I challenge you to look up some of your favourite foods, so you can stay informed about what you are fueling your body with. It may come as a shock, or a minor heart attack, but just knowing about what you’re eating may change what you eat. In my case, I loved the Caps pizza as a quick dinner after my Monday evening class. Curious, I looked up the pizza nutrition facts (anywhere from 730 to a whopping 900 calories per slice). I haven’t eaten another slice since! Knowing what you are putting into your body and ensuring you are providing yourself with proper nourishment reinforces healthy eating.Â