While you may already know this but for those who don’t: that large portion of fries you munched on yesterday was a 500-calorie snack. While starting college may be a huge rite of passage, it also brings with it the much-feared Freshman 15.
Basically, being away from home, not having access to a kitchen in which to cook healthy meals, late night study marathons and all-you-can-eat dining halls can cause you to pile on the pounds and soon you can become overweight.
Here are some top tips for mindful eating to avoid Freshman fifteen and keep weight gain at bay.
Smart snacking
It is just too easy for healthy eating habits to slip by as you stay up late studying for that all-important test. Binge-eating high-calorie snacks like chips and flavored milkshakes can become your undoing. Instead, go for snacks that include fresh fruits, lightly salted nuts, Greek yoghurt and muesli for a protein-carbohydrate power punch.
Dining hall 101
If you want to stay fit while at college, treat the dining hall with respect. While the soft serve machine will beckon you, line up at the salad bar. Salads are one of the best ways to get you daily intake of healthful and essential dietary components like fiber, vitamins and minerals. Don’t drown your salads in dressing and always balance that slice of pizza with a veggie side.
Join a sports club
Not only can a P.E. class get you extra credits, it can be a habit that keeps you healthy. Having a workout buddy is great if you have time to hit the gym at least thrice a week. If you find yourself overwhelmed with classes, sign up for your college’s sports clubs. Every college has lower-tier sports clubs that aren’t too demanding on time and are an excellent way to meet new friends.
Catch up on your zzzzzs
When we are sleep deprived we find it difficult to produce enough of the hormones ghrelin and leptin, which affect our perception of the body’s food requirements. This results in us eating more without realizing it. To make matters worse, you will become more prone to making unhealthy food choices to boost energy levels if you haven’t had enough sleep. Make sure that you train yourself into getting at least 7-7.5 hours of seep every day.
