Unfortunately for many college students, the “Freshman 15” is no myth. The Freshman 15 is the amount of weight that a lot of new college students will gain during their freshman year. Most fitness and nutrition experts blame such factors as making poor dietary choices, lack of exercise, and even overeating due to being homesick for the extra pounds.
So how can a student avoid gaining weight their first year when most don’t have access to fresh foods and a kitchen in which to prepare healthy meals? Of course, they can always eat salads and healthy meals at the dining halls, but this can get monotonous after a while.
Ordering delivery is a good way to change things up, as long as students take care to order with their waistlines and general health in mind. Here are three tips to help students eat healthier delivery meals without breaking their often limited budget.
In this post:
Pizza Delivery
Although pizza is often dismissed as greasy junk food, it can actually be a relatively healthy and inexpensive meal, especially if a student chooses a thin crust over a hand-tossed or thick crust and loads it with healthy, low-calorie toppings, such as veggies.
Meat lovers should avoid pepperoni, bacon, and sausage, which are very fatty. Instead, they should choose chicken, if possible, or ham. Students can take in fewer calories by blotting the grease with a napkin from the top of the pizza and by skipping the breadsticks that come on the side.
Chinese Food
Although some people believe that Chinese food is relatively healthy, many of the dishes are actually high in calories. The main villains to healthy eating are the dishes that contain fried items covered in sauces, such as General Tso’s chicken or sweet and sour pork. Other fried items like egg rolls are also a dieter’s enemy.
College students who are ordering from a Chinese restaurant should choose vegetable dishes and items that are stir-fried. In addition, they should choose steamed rice instead of the higher-calorie fried rice to go with their meals.
Sandwiches and Salads
Many restaurants offer inexpensive sandwiches and salads for delivery. Both can either be healthy or loaded with unnecessary calories, depending on what a college student decides to pile onto his meal.
For instance, Cobb salads are not a healthy choice, as a single salad from some eateries can amount to a whopping 700 calories. However, knowing which toppings to put on your salads and sandwiches can keep you eating healthy and staying fit. Fresh vegetables and fruits and lean meats, like chicken, are the best options to choose from. With both salads and sandwiches, the fewer condiments and cheeses you add, the better for your health.
College students don’t have to fall victim to the Freshman 15 curse. By eating healthy and exercising, students can avoid expanding their waistlines while expanding their minds at college.
Renee Varney is a freelance blogger who occasionally writes for delivery.com, a site she loves using to find Local Pizza Delivery and other Restaurant Delivery options.
