Avoiding the Dreaded "Freshman 15"

 

 Weight gain is still common for freshman students at universities. A study at Cornell University found that students typically gain on average four pounds within their first 12 weeks in college. Although four pounds does not seem like much, the gain can come as a shock; it is 11 times higher than typical weight gain for 17-18 year olds – and it adds up. Why in college does it seem impossible to maintain weight? There are many reasons, but all can be altered in order to maintain a more healthy college lifestyle.

College cafeterias at first seem like the best thing about college. But trust me, two or three months in, the glamour will have faded. Pizza, calzones, lasagna, burgers, French fries--students will realize that all of the items seem to be packed and loaded with grease and calories. Although most universities have adjusted their cafeterias to be more nutritious, the healthy options are slim, and simply denying a juicy burger when you’ve have a rough day can be tricky. 

Parents, that’s where you come in! Sending nutritious food to your students could be the best thing for your kids. Having nutritious snacks in dorm rooms can allow students to walk right past the cafeterias and into a whole new realm of healthy options. Natural fruit snacks and dried fruit are great options to hold onto for a while. Rice cakes and nuts are also great study snacks. I remember my freshman year we would constantly go to get smoothies and pizza late at night. But it is so much better to avoid those late night habits and cherish the healthy food you can pack right in your room.

 

Exercise is another big reason for weight gain in college students. With the pressure of tests and exams, being a couch potato can be sooo tempting. Movie nights with your friends seem like heaven to a college student, but there are better, much healthier ways to relax. 

 

Exercising at a school gym and getting involved with the recreation department at a college can ease the most stressed of students. It can also provide a way to bond with your roommates and friends. The best way to stay motivated and fit is to find and organize a loyal exercise buddy system. This way, whenever you need motivation to actually workout, you have your friends right there to join in the fun and sweat out the stress.

 

Alcohol, unfortunately, is a very common reason for weight gain. Of course, one should wait till they are of the drinking age. But for those who are of age and do decide to drink, they should be aware of the effects of drinking.

 

There are plenty of college girls who try to adjust their partying in order to compensate the extra calories. Some drink liquor instead of beer in the hopes that they’ll still be able to fit into their favorites jeans and avoid the infamous “beer belly.” Unfortunately, there’s not much of a difference. The average light beer contains around 99 calories in comparison to a shot that contains an average of 96 calories.

 

 The fact is simple: alcohol contains about 7 calories per gram in comparison to carbohydrates or protein, which are both about 4 calories per gram. Moderation is key when drinking alcoholic beverages.   In order to avoid excessive drinking for the sake of calories, a helpful tip would be to have a bottle of water on you the entire night and alternate between alcohol and water. It is also very important to eat a well balanced meal before parties in order to avoid typical party snacks such as chips and pizza.

 

College is a whole new world indeed. Staying healthy can help students stay focused in their studies and overall support a healthy lifestyle as a habit. But the most important thing to remember is to have fun and study hard. And with these tips, you can stay healthy too!