Don't Give In to the Freshman Fifteen

August is around the time where college students prepare for their return to school. If you’re a freshman this is an even more exciting time. You may be moving out of your parents’ house where you’ll be on your own. Think of all the freedom you’ll have.

And oh, that school cafeteria! I remember those days. It was like putting a kid in a candy store. I also remember gaining the famous freshman fifteen. For those not familiar with the freshman fifteen, it’s the equivalent to the amount of weight the average freshman college student gains in their first year.  However, there are those students that gain more. Why? Well, think about it. No more parents looking over your shoulder telling you how to eat and when to eat.

If your weight is already normal entering college, putting on fifteen extra pounds won’t be as bad as someone who may already be overweight. Regardless, the fifteen pounds of extra weight is more than likely not coming from healthy foods sources. School cafeterias do serve some healthy food, but they also serve food that’s high in fat and sugar.

But you don’t have to give in to this college tradition. There are lots of ways to manage your diet during your freshman year of college, so you can enjoy the occasional middle of the night pizza run and still maintain a healthy weight.

Preparing for the freshman fifteen should start well before you get to college. Developing a habit for healthy eating during your high school years will serve you well in the long term. Parents can have a lot of influence by preparing healthy family meals and encouraging you to make smart eating choices.  Exercise is often one of the first things abandoned when kids get to college, often because they get overwhelmed with classes and school work. Sometimes it’s just as simple as not being familiar with the gym on campus. Simple solutions: try to keep school work as organized as possible and even squeezing in exercise for 15 minutes a day will still do you some good. Also arrange a tour of the gym. Campus staff will be happy to assist.

Don’t fall for offers of cheap pizza, wings, gyros, and subs that can be delivered to your dorm room around the clock. Keep healthy snacks in your room so you won’t be tempted to eat this type of food. Once in a while is okay, but learn when to just say no. Recognize the difference between cheap and convenient and healthy.

If you conquer these things you can stay away from the freshman weight trap. Eat well, exercise, and watch the scales. Making a few good choices will give you plenty of benefits in the long term.