The Pop Tart life: How to avoid the freshman fifteen
Back in my dorm days, the Freshman Fifteen typically referred to the weight you lost on the school's meal plan. Between "banana-fried chicken" and "tofu stroganoff," it was a daily challenge to even subsist on the dining hall food, let alone gain weight. You would likely burn more calories trying to digest the caf's mashed potatoes than you would doing an hour on the elliptical.
But for incoming freshmen (and returning sophomores), the days of regrettable food are history, and all-you-can-eat blocks sound more tempting than threatening. But beware: though some argue that the meal plan is overpriced, "getting your money's worth" of dining hall food is not worth growing out of your high-school wardrobe. A new pair of Sevens costs significantly more than a few slices of pizza left uneaten, so better to control your portions than eat a full twelve dollars of dining hall food.
Another pitfall of the dining hall is the ever-present desserts. You want cookies? Ice cream? Cake? They've got it all. There's nothing better than indulging in sugar-laden comfort food with your best buds, but doing it at every meal is guaranteed to catch up with your waistline. Again, it's not worth it. (The veritable rainbow of sodas at the dining hall's fountain is similarly hazardous - drink a glass of water with every soda you consume to avoid overdosing on caffeine and/or sugar.)
What with first semester pass-fail, finals are probably the furthest thing from a freshman's mind. Still, the first round of mid-terms won't exactly be a walk in the park, and lack of sleep plus tons of work can equal stress-eating. The less you disturb your body's normal routine the better off you'll mentally be, so avoid skipping meals and consequent late-night binging. When you are stuck pulling an all-nighter for Orgo, balance your three a.m. meal with fruit and granola in addition to the obligatory chocolate and fries. Also, order your quadruple-shot latte from Café Q/Starbucks with skim or soy milk and try to substitute fresh veggies for frosted pastries. Your body and brain will both be happier for it.
But for incoming freshmen (and returning sophomores), the days of regrettable food are history, and all-you-can-eat blocks sound more tempting than threatening. But beware: though some argue that the meal plan is overpriced, "getting your money's worth" of dining hall food is not worth growing out of your high-school wardrobe. A new pair of Sevens costs significantly more than a few slices of pizza left uneaten, so better to control your portions than eat a full twelve dollars of dining hall food.
Another pitfall of the dining hall is the ever-present desserts. You want cookies? Ice cream? Cake? They've got it all. There's nothing better than indulging in sugar-laden comfort food with your best buds, but doing it at every meal is guaranteed to catch up with your waistline. Again, it's not worth it. (The veritable rainbow of sodas at the dining hall's fountain is similarly hazardous - drink a glass of water with every soda you consume to avoid overdosing on caffeine and/or sugar.)
What with first semester pass-fail, finals are probably the furthest thing from a freshman's mind. Still, the first round of mid-terms won't exactly be a walk in the park, and lack of sleep plus tons of work can equal stress-eating. The less you disturb your body's normal routine the better off you'll mentally be, so avoid skipping meals and consequent late-night binging. When you are stuck pulling an all-nighter for Orgo, balance your three a.m. meal with fruit and granola in addition to the obligatory chocolate and fries. Also, order your quadruple-shot latte from Café Q/Starbucks with skim or soy milk and try to substitute fresh veggies for frosted pastries. Your body and brain will both be happier for it.
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