Top 5 Ways to Avoid The Freshman 15

1. All You Can Eat. Buffets are the cornerstones of on campus meal plans. Try to avoid these places as much as you can. Once you're in there, self control can only go so far. You'll be flooded with smells of all sorts of goodies and be tempted to eat them all. Instead, try going to a cafeteria that you pay for what you eat. Once you're full, you'll be less likely to eat more.

2. Plates. If you have to go to a buffet, use a big plate for salads and a small plate for everything else. Make sure you eat the salad before the main entree so that you'll eat more low calories foods before moving onto the high calorie ones. This will get you full on nutrient dense foods that are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals while leaving less room in your stomach for foods high in calories and low in nutrients.

3. Water Instead of Soda. When you eat, drink water instead of soft drinks. Many people don't know how many calories soft drinks really have. One cup can have more than 130 calories and that's only in 8 ounces. The cups that you'll be using can be around 16-24 ounces. This can save you hundreds if not thousands of calories per week and make a huge difference in the long run.

4. No More Driving. Instead of driving or taking the bus to class, walk or ride your bike there. You'll be burning calories and getting to class at the same time. This will save you gas money and spare you the headache of finding a parking space at the last minute.

5. Stay Active. Exercise might be the most important step in trying to avoid weight gain. If you eat too much, exercise is the only way to burn off those extra calories. You have a free gym at your disposal so you might as well use it. Intramural sports are also a great way to exercise while keeping your social life intact.