How to Eat Healthy in a Dorm
Developing healthy eating habits in your dorm can make the difference between gaining or avoiding "the freshman 15." Living on your own for the first time can be tricky when it comes to eating what's healthy, not just what's convenient. The dining facilities might be further away, but you can still make good use of the common kitchenette available in most dorms.
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Instructions
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Eat a healthy breakfast. Your dining hall might not be in close proximity, but that's no excuse for skipping breakfast. Keep a box of meal bars in your room and store some fruit in your refrigerator. Having healthy, portable breakfast options on hand will prevent you from skipping breakfast entirely and overeating at lunch time.
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Keep filling, low-fat snacks in your mini-fridge. Foods like string cheese and low-fat yogurt are good sources of protein and calcium that will keep you full in between meals. Avoid foods like cereal bars and candy that offer limited nutrition and won't keep you feeling full for long. Healthy snacks in your room can also deter your from storming the vending machine in a ravenous state.
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Cook healthy microwavable food. Frozen foods like low-fat burritos, frozen grilled chicken and steamed veggies are healthy alternatives for those times when you don't feel like walking to the dining hall. Some frozen foods contain large quantities of sodium and preservatives, so look at the nutrition labels before buying.
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Limit your takeout consumption. Ordering pizza or Chinese food at 2 a.m. is fine once and a while, but heading for the phone every late-night isn't the healthiest option. Keep sandwich ingredients, like sliced turkey and whole wheat bread, on hand for those late night cravings.
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Tips & Warnings
When you eat in the school dining hall, avoid grabbing the first item that looks good. Do a quick lap around the food stations and always start with veggies or a salad to help fill you up before eating pizza or burgers.
References
- Photo Credit chips image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com
