College and eating right.

Question
Hi Simon-

I feel that I exercise more than I have ever before, but yet I weight more than ever before.  I know it is most likely my eating habits.  I find it hard to eat right being away from home and living on campus.  Not only is the food not the greatest on campus, but also my chaotic schedule doesn't help. School is now out for the summer and I plan on eating better over the summer, but am afraid that once classes start again in the fall; I will just lose everything that I worked for.  So basically my question for you is how I can maintain and even get a good eating habit being a college student always on the go and does not always have access to the right kinds of foods.

Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.

Melissa  

Answer
Melissa, the freshman 15. Many college students struggle with this weight gain, largely because of the food.

You are probably eating foods very high in starches and simple carbohydrates so the only good answer is to try and cut back on those.

If your campus cafeteria offers salads and fruits, go for those instead of the starches. You can still get protein from lean meats and eggs that should be available but cut back on the pastas and breads - that will go a long way. Also, if you can stock up on some nuts or fruits in your dorm room and eat a little something before you go to the cafeteria you will not be starving and overwhelmed to make the poor choice. Give yourself a chance against the food devils by putting a little healthy something in your stomach before you go to meal time.

Hope this helps.

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