When you get to college, the food options seem endless. Not having anyone around to tell you to eat your veggies can seem great at first, until you don’t fit in your going out jeans anymore. Although Mather does get old, there are always new ways to spice things up. Don’t get stuck in a Cave chicken fingers rut!
Here are some tips and tricks to help keep weight gain at bay:
1. Drink a glass of water before you eat:
The health benefits are numerous. Sounds easy enough, why not give it a go? Be careful though, no one’s trying to pee the bed.
2. Don’t eat within 2 hours of sleeping: you won’t give your body time to burn the cals, and your digestive system will be on overdrive! It doesn’t let your body get the sleep it deserves.
3. Try not to eat while you’re distracted: if you don’t think about what and how much you are eating, you will end up overeating junk! No one wants to be writing a paper and look down and realize all the Tostitos are gone. Uh oh.
4. Don’t worry about counting calories, think about the nutritional quality of the food you are eating and the portions.
5. Fruit is your friend!
Make sure you try to have fruit in your diet every day; it gives you energy, tastes great, and doesn’t have nearly as much refined sugar as that candy bar you were thinking about. If you don’t have a fridge, try dehydrated (not dried) fruit, it has less added sugar and won’t make you bloat.
Need suggestions for healthy options when you’re eating campus?
Breakfast
Mather and the Cave have great breakfast options. I know, pancakes every day would be awesome, but here are some healther alternatives that are just as satisfying and will sustain you until 12:30.
Oatmeal
Whole grain bagels
Eggs
Yogurt
Snacks
Snacking is actually a good thing! It helps fuel your body and mind as you make that final push between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner. Try to stay away from candy or Doritos; as yummy as they are they won’t make you feel very good or full after.
Fruit (always!)
Nuts
Baked (not fried!) chips; Pop Chips and Pretzel Chips are always a great option
Lunch/dinner
The Bistro is my personal favorite for dinner, but Mather always has amazing and healthy options. Stay away from pizza and burgers every night, the added carbs and grease won’t help you stay awake and alert while finishing your work.
Anything grilled, baked, stir fried or pan seared: Mather has great stir-fry and grilled options ALL THE TIME! Use them!
Fresh veggies
A big ol’ salad! (With lo-cal dressing!)
Supplement your (mostly) healthy eating habits with some time at the gym. Ferris is a great place to meet people while working on your fitness. Bring a friend or your iPod! Spending just thirty minutes a day being active can lead to healthy weight loss and increased stamina and endurance. What’s not to love?
Remember, it’s about balance! Don’t stay away from tasty fries and grilled cheese from the Bistro, just don’t have it every day. Let yourself live, you’re at TRIN for goodness sakes!