5 Tips To Avoid The Freshman 15

Sometimes it’s not always the freshman 15. Maybe it’s the sophomore 15, or even finals week 15. According to WebMD, one in four freshmen gain at least five percent of their body weight, an average of about 10 pounds, during their first semester. Regardless, gaining some weight in college is expected. Here are some helpful tips that might make it easier to keep that extra weight off!

1. Drink water.

As simple as it seems, many people forget to. Doctors recommend at least eight glasses of water per day. What many people find handy is buying a reusable water bottle. They’re available in many grocery stores and are fairly inexpensive! An added bonus is that you’re saving the environment too!

2. Make healthy choices in the dining hall.

Again, something that seems easy. But when nothing looks too appealing and you see that tray of french fries, you might become tempted. Try to have at least one salad a day for you meal. Maybe designate lunchtime for salads only and then go a little crazier during dinner.

3. Don’t drive across campus.

Those winters can be dreadful, but driving your car across campus isn’t much better. When the weather gets nice out, walk to class and enjoy the fresh air! Walking reduces risk of heart disease and improves blood sugar levels. Plus if you walk, you’ll be saving money on gas!

4. Be careful about your alcohol choice.

It’s college; no one is going to tell you not to drink. But if you are, maybe do it in a healthier way. Pass on the beer; there are about 13 grams of carbs in just one beer! White wine has about 140 calories per glass, which is lower than red. If you’re going to drink liquor, don’t choose soda as a mixer. Try club soda or even crystal light as a substitute!

5. Don’t go out to eat so much.

Of course, campus food isn’t always going to be great. If you’re going to grab food off campus, try to make the best choice you can. My personal favorite go-to is making sure I order something without french fries. As good as they are, they are quite dangerous. Always order water instead of soda (also saves you money!) and try to avoid excessively fried food. If you want to get a salad, ask for grilled chicken instead of crispy. Those small choices can really add up and make a difference!