Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: :www.collegeview.com Don't let the dreaded "freshman 15" make a victim of you!

Is the "Freshman 15" myth really true? Do a majority of freshmen really gain 15 pounds? Yes, it is true. But the Freshman 15 affects all students in college, primarily because students are on their own and away from home and healthy food.

College offers many unhealthy food temptations such as french fries, ice cream, fried foods, sugary snacks, late night snacks to keep you awake while studying, and other foods that wouldn't usually be consumed if you were home. If you don't steer clear of warning signs and watch what you eat, you may gain those extra unwanted pounds.

Here are some warning signs that may trigger overeating that you should avoid: stress, homesickness, sadness, and anxiety.

There are many ways to watch what you eat. Here are some key tips to lose weight and stay healthy. The most important steps are diet and exercise.

Lackmann Culinary Services, our campus caterers, provide a lot of different choices to suit everyone's healthy taste bud.

For example, instead of asking for white bread, ask for wheat. Wheat bread has more efficient nutrients than white bread. In general wheat bread has more fibers, vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, folic acid, copper, zinc, and manganese.

In addition, Lackmann also offers a variety of fruits and vegetables. Options range from grapes, cantaloupes, oranges, strawberries, apples, bananas, pineapple, watermelon, and more. So if you are craving sweets grab a fruit instead of a sugary snack. Fruits and vegetables are high in potassium, calcium, and other vitamins that your body lives off of.

At the wrap station, your healthy options are endless. There are a variety of wraps: plain, tomato, and spinach. What is so beneficial about wraps is that you can personally choose what you want in them. That means if you're up for the challenge, try a veggie wrap. You never know, it may become your favorite entrée.

The salad bar is also open with different types of lettuces to select. The selection of toppings is also very broad. More often than not there are cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, onions, olives, boiled eggs, garbanzo beans, red beans, peppers, and grilled chicken. But remember, not too much dressing, that's the one part of the salad most people go wrong on. The key is to use just enough so your salad isn't dry. Another reminder is to try to stay clear of creamy dressings; for example, creamy Caesar or creamy Italian, because these dressings are composed of mainly fat and calories.

Right next to the salad bar is a selection of soups. Soups usually range from chicken noodle, tomato, split pea, lentil pea, and vegetable. Lackmann does surprise us occasionally with the appearance of cream of spinach and cream of broccoli. But don't go too overboard with these soups, remember to stay away from the word "cream" as much as possible.

At the grill, you have the choice of enjoying a grilled chicken breast or grilled salmon served with fresh vegetables. Vegetarian burgers are also served.

Another way to stay in shape is to utilize the free gym on Pleasantville campus in the Goldstein Fitness Center. Treadmills, weights, abdominal machines, cliff wall, hip and thigh machines, bicep/triceps machines, and tons of calorie/fat burning machines are available to students.

In Goldstein Fitness Center there is also a swimming pool which is the best form of exercise since it exercises all the muscles in your body. Go ahead and throw on a one piece bathing suit and swim some laps for the best workout!

Pace University also offers free aerobic courses taught mainly by Pace students. You can join an abdomen toning class, yoga class, kick boxing, and other classes that will help you stay in shape.

In addition, there is also an indoor track and basketball court to help increase your cardio.

Positive exercise and diet habits will prevent Freshman 15 (or any weight gain in general regardless of age or year) and get you on the right path to keeping you healthy as you get older. Being healthy can reduce the risk of many life-threatening diseases like heart disease, type two diabetes, and obesity to name a few. Other ways to avoid gaining weight is your attitude about what you eat and why you are eating. Do not eat just because you are bored or stressed, exercise instead.

Remember, do not skip meals and eat at regular times. If you need a snack, grab a fruit. Do not go back for another serving of an unhealthy food and remember to practice portion control with each meal. Healthy food choices combined with a balanced diet can provide you with all the nutrients your body needs. According to the Food Guide Pyramid your daily servings should include six to eleven servings of bread, cereal, rice, and pasta; two to three servings of fruits; three to five servings of vegetables; two to three servings of meat, poultry, fish, beans, and eggs; two to three servings of milk and other dairy products including yogurt and cheese; fats, oils, and sweets should be limited and eaten sparingly. Don't forget to drink eight cups of water a day.

If you do happen to gain weight, don't freak out. Just look back at this article and all the helpful tips that can be used and implemented into your daily life.

Good luck on avoiding your freshman 15 and staying healthy!

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