Stock Up
With a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a hot plate, as long as you keep your dorm room stocked with some smart staples, a healthy meal is always within your reach.Ditch the chips, cookies, and sodas in favor of these healthier options:
- light white or wheat bread
- canned tuna
- canned chicken
- canned veggies and beans
- canned fruit (in unsweetened juice or water)
- almonds
- light microwave popcorn
- single serving boxes of low-sugar, high-fiber cereal
- whole-wheat pasta
- canned tomato sauce
- reduced-fat cheese slices
- low-fat yogurt
- reduced-fat or fat-free milk
- egg substitute cartons
- salsa
- baked tortilla or potato chips
- low-fat pre-packaged lunch meats
Walk this Way
Some colleges do not allow freshmen to have cars on campus. This may seem like a real headache at first, but the beauty of college towns is they are designed for the pedestrian. And walking is an ideal way to manage your weight.Instead of catching the "hopper" shuttle to your favorite shopping destination, dinner, or a movie, grab a friend and take a stroll there. (Not only will it keep your weight in check, that fresh air will do your mind and spirit good, too.)
Don't Go Wacky this Weekend
Weekends are a time to recover from all those lectures and labs. What's more conducive to vegging out than pigging out? One quick trip to the convenience store and you've got the makings for a buffet of junk food.Instead, keep busy with relaxing activities such as finally finishing that trashy romance novel you keep hiding from your roommate or indulging in a day of budget-friendly at-home (or, in-dorm!) beauty treatments.
Get a Handle on Emotional Eating
Being away at college for the first time, you're going to feel a little sad, lonely, or homesick at times. It's perfectly normal, but inhaling a pint of ice cream isn't the best way to cope.One of the most important parts of growing up is learning how to deal with your emotions in a positive way. (Trust me, when you're 30, you'll still be trying to figure that one out.) Get a head start by keeping a journal, calling home, seeing a counselor, or getting a group of friends together when the blues hit.
