The Dorm Diet

The "Freshman 15" is a term often thrown around college campuses. The Freshman 15 refers to the weight gain many new college students experience during their first year living on campus. With an abundance of calorie-rich foods at your disposal -- along with many hours spent physically inactive at class and during study sessions -- maintaining a healthy body weight can be a challenge while on campus. Daphne Oz's book "The Dorm Room Diet" aims to help you keep the weight off while in college.

Background

The "Dorm Room Diet" was written by the Daphne Oz, the oldest daughter of television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz. Oz wrote her book after finding herself able to successfully lose weight while at college -- the first time she had control over her weight. She notes that her book aims to not only allow students to keep the Freshman 15 at bay, but to instill lifelong healthy eating and exercise habits.

The foundation of the "Dorm Room Diet" is a 10-step program that combines healthy eating advice with exercise and relaxation recommendations. Although the title contains the word "diet," Oz notes several times in the book that her plan is not a quick fix for weight loss. In addition to advice about healthy eating, Oz delves into emotions and the role they play in eating habits and food choices. The advice Oz offers her readers is intended for long-term and sustained health and wellness.

Eating

The focus of Oz's plan is limiting food consumption. She notes that many college students overindulge on campus cafeterias, as many offer all-you-can-eat buffets. Oz spins this challenge as an opportunity to eat healthfully. Oz reports that most college campuses offer an abundance of healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, along with unhealthy fare, including cake and pizza. The "Dorm Room Diet" also provides advice on eating healthy in the dorm room itself, including healthy snacks options and low-calorie recipes.

Considerations

While Oz provides a balanced and thorough overview of healthy living on campus, her target audience is females just entering college. Men or those not in college may not be able to relate to the information provided in the book. As with any diet, ask your doctor before adopting the advice from the "Dorm Room Diet."