How to Lose Weight Despite Unhealthy Cafeteria Food

Eating healthy when you are away from home is always a challenge. But when you're eating in a cafeteria, there are even more difficulties because a lot of cafeteria food is unhealthy. With a few simple strategies, you can lose weight even under these circumstances. Follow these tips to lose weight despite unhealthy cafeteria food.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Bring all or part of your lunch from home. This is especially helpful at the beginning of the school year, before you have reviewed the cafeteria's food choices and determined the healthiest options.
2. Watch the portions of every food you choose. Maintaining a healthy portion of each type of food is a key to successful weight loss. The portions that are appropriate for you depend on your specific height and weight. Visit a food guide to help determine the actual numbers.
3. Choose grilled or broiled meats whenever possible. Foods that are called crispy, crunchy or breaded are often fried, and these can sabotage your weight loss.
4. Fill up on vegetables. When making up your meal, the vegetables you've chosen should take up the largest portion of your plate.
5. Ask for sauces on the side. Many cafeteria gravies and sauces are made with high-fat ingredients, and by eating only small amounts of these, you will save on calories.
6. Focus on eating while you are in the cafeteria and then head out. Hanging around and socializing with others who are still eating can lead you to eat more than you planned.
7. Remember to exercise. Even when walking to the cafeteria and back, make fitness a priority. Take the long way, or jog to and from the cafeteria.

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