Whether it’s your first year at college or you’re a returning student, you are bound to eat at your school’s dining facility at some point. While college dining halls are notorious for providing the typical greasy pizza, french fries and ice cream in an all-you-can-eat buffet, there are ways to keep it light when eating on a meal plan.
If you don’t want to leave your dining hall feeling so stuffed you can barely move, start off your meal by drinking a glass of water. This will make you feel more full so you don’t eat more than your body needs. Also, ditch the soda! Save your calories for food, not drinks. There is zero nutritional value in drinking soda, only a ton of calories and sugar.
Instead of going straight for the pizza and fries, opt for a salad or soup to start off with. Most colleges serve vegetarian or vegan alternatives to classic foods that are lower in calories and contain less fat. Next time you are craving a burger, try a veggie burger instead. By making the switch, you get three times less total fat and seven times less saturated fat than when you eat average beef burgers. Another swap that will save you hundreds of calories is replacing a side of French fries or onion rings with fresh fruit and/or vegetables. For a sweet and healthy dessert, take advantage of the fruit bar and make yourself a fruit salad with some granola sprinkled on top.
A good tip to keep in mind is to not sit right beside the dessert bar. The smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies may be too overpowering to resist, even if you’re already full!
Make the most out of your school dining hall’s selection of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lentils. The salad bar is your new best friend when aiming to eat healthy on a meal plan.
Also remember that all-you-can-eat doesn’t mean all-you-should-eat! Although it may be tempting to scarf down slices of pizzas, choosing healthier options and smaller portions at your dining hall will give you more energy and will help you avoid gaining the dreaded “freshman 15!”