Many college kids leave for school with instructions to avoid gaining the freshman 15. Food plans for college kids often include all-you-can-eat buffets and fast food restaurants on campus. Add in a busy lifestyle fueled by coffee, alcohol and pizza-driven all-night study sessions and you have a recipe for a nutritional disaster. Know how to use food plans for college kids to improve your health and help you succeed at school.
Cafeteria
The cafeteria is the main source of food for many college kids. Many cafeterias offer their fares buffet style. Get to know the menu and cafeteria schedule so you can plan ahead. Control your weight and increase your fiber and vitamins by including a salad or steamed vegetable with every lunch and dinner. Choose water or skim milk rather than drinking soda every day. If your class schedule precludes you being able to go to the cafeteria for lunch, ask about getting a brown bag lunch to go so you don't skip meals.
Food Court
Many college food plans cover an on-campus food court. Try to arrange your meals to avoid relying on greasy pizza or hamburgers for sustenance as much as possible. Some food courts have smoothie bars, but order wisely. Ask for a nutrition guide and order a type and size of smoothie that fits into your calorie goal for the day. If you are there for a snack, skip the 600-calorie chocolate smoothie.
Coffee Stands
Coffee stands can provide you a jolt of caffeine but try to avoid relying on them for a regular breakfast. Huge muffins can have the calorie equivalent of four small muffins. If you must eat at a coffee stand, see if they sell plain oatmeal packets that you can mix with hot water. Also, watch the calories contained in your favorite coffee drinks. Buy small sizes and request skim milk in your lattes. Keep track of your total caffeine dose for the day, and limit yourself to the equivalent of two to four regular cups of coffee each day.
Dorm Cooking
If you have to cook in your dorm, be sure to check what rules the university has in place. You can buy and microwave frozen dinners, but read the labels and add a side of frozen green vegetables as often as you can. Buy whole grain bread, natural peanut butter and low-fat yogurt to keep on hand for quick, healthy meals.
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