Ditch the Dining Hall Tray to Stay Lean at College

By , SparkPeople Blogger
I only spent a few years living away from home at college, but I distinctly remember the dining hall options. A new food court had opened right next to my freshman dorm, and it was pretty impressive. There were stations for all different types of cuisine- Italian food, Chinese food, deli selections, and just about anything else you could ask for. The choices and amounts of food you could take were endless.

It took me some time to get used to making healthy food choices and controlling my portion sizes. I only started becoming more aware when my pants that usually fit comfortably were suddenly becoming snug. “Did these things shrink in the wash?” I wondered. Not likely. My body just wasn’t used to so much food, and my waistline was paying the price.

Weight gain is a concern of many college freshmen, and schools are taking notice. For example, the University of Iowa has added healthy choices to their campus food selections. Options now include whole grain foods, fresh fish, a yogurt bar and nutritional information so that students can make informed decisions. But interestingly, the most popular menu item is still fried chicken strips.

Iowa State University has made a simple change to help students limit the amount of food they take. The school has eliminated trays in the dining hall. Students can’t carry as much, so they don’t eat as much. If they decide they are still hungry, students can always go back for more. But this gives many people the chance to realize they are full and don’t really need to return for seconds.

Many schools are providing educational resources for students who want to learn better eating habits. Although the "Freshman 15" is somewhat of a myth, the average weight gain for college freshman is between 5 and 8 pounds. When faced with a new environment full of new choices and new routines, it can be hard for young people to make healthy choices. Online menus, counseling services and other resources help students make the transition a little more smoothly.

If you’re currently a college student, did you find it difficult to develop a healthy eating routine? For former college students, do you remember struggling with food choices during those years?