Stick to a plan. It if often said that if something is written down it is more likely to happen. If this is the case, write out a schedule for your meal and snack times. Creating this routine lets you feel in control of when you are eating and what you are eating. If your first meal of the day is in the evening, your body will naturally consume more than it usually would. This is why scheduled snacking between meals is beneficial. It allows your body to become accustomed to the duration you will go until your next meal.
Watch the beverages. College students’ intake of beverages is high. Whether it is energy drinks for those late nights, the coffees/lattes/teas to keep you awake for classes, or the alcohol (although illegal for most freshmen) that is consumed on the weekends, college students are packing on the calories that are in their drinks alone! Remember, those calories add up fast, so be more mindful of the beverages you choose.
Keep a healthy snack stock. One of the main reasons college students snack is because of their access to them. Instead of eating those vending machine snacks, purchase your own healthier snacks and keep those stocked at all times. This is beneficial to your healthy eating, as well as your pockets. The money you spend at the vending machine every day, and in some cases multiple times a day, outweighs the money you will spend on snacks that will last you a month.
The key to a healthy college experience is to remember that weight gain is not inevitable. There will be times when fighting off temptations will be difficult, but hang tough and keep pushing through!