As high school seniors prepare for graduation and look ahead to their lives in college, one health related question seems to be of major concern. What is the best way to avoid the dreaded “freshman fifteen?” For those of you who don’t know, the freshman fifteen refers to the excessive weight gained during a student’s freshman year. Fifteen pounds has become a suspected average and some students gain a lot less or a lot more weight. The reasons for this weight gain are simple. College is typically the first time students are expected to make their own health and nutrition decisions on their own. With buffet style cafeterias all across the country, students are opting for fattier and greasier foods. These comfort foods often help students deal with home sickness as well as the stress that goes along with transition to a new atmosphere.
In spite of all this, there is still hope. Students can take a few easy steps towards keeping themselves fit and healthy. The first step actually encourages more frequent eating.
1. Eat small snacks: The school day for a college student is typically long and drawn out. The reason for this relates directly to the amount of clubs and activities on campus, as well as the way many students’ schedule are spread throughout an entire day. As a result, many students find themselves binging at the cafeteria. This means that since they only eat two or three times a day, they are forced to fill up when they hit the caf. As a result, the body doesn’t have ample time to metabolize and students in turn gain excess weight. By keeping yourself nourished throughout the day you deny the temptation to binge. Constantly having food in your stomach will actually help you to lose weight as it keeps your metabolism going.
2. Eat smart: Everyday, the cafeteria offers burgers, pizza, cake and French fries. Having these delicious fatty foods available all the time is certainly difficult. If the dining hall doesn’t offer something you like then you’ll be even more likely to indulge in these fatty foods, which are provided every day. It is important to recognize and utilize your campus’ salad and sandwich bars. If there aren’t any main courses that appeal to you. Have a sandwich soup and salad. These three things are offered just as often as pizza and burgers and they’ll definitely be better for you.
3. Stay conscious, even late: When the cafeteria is closed and the options become limited, it’s easy to order take-out. In doing so, you expose yourself to late night calories and carbohydrates that your body can’t burn, they are then stored as fat. To avoid this, keep your refrigerator stocked with healthy snacks. If you have healthy food around you’ll be much less likely to call for something fatty.
4. Manage your alcohol consumption: Alcohol is full of empty calories. Students often forget that consuming alcohol frequently results in massive weight gains. In order to avoid this one must manage their intake. Only have a few drinks. Binging on alcohol is just as detrimental as binging on food as far as your metabolism is concerned. Simply don’t forget that alcohol packs on the pounds.
5. Join and Intramural: Intramural sports are a great way to stay active. When the body exercises, metabolism dramatically increases. By joining intramurals, you commit yourself to exercise on a fixed schedule. These organized events will also encourage you to stay active when you aren’t participating.
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