We have all heard about the dread Freshmen 15 and I’m sure those of you that are just starting out college would think that you would never gain 15 pounds in one year. But pride comes before a fall my friend!

Gaining 15 lbs during your first year of college is so easy with the all you can eat cafeteria, vending machines around every corner, late night donut runs with all your friends, and pizza nights… the list could go one. Between the newness of being off on your own and the stress of a new environment and classes, it’s so easy to gorge yourself with food, especially when all your friends are doing it too.

Whiles gaining the freshmen 15 at college or on a university campus can be easy, it is not inevitable. Here are some great tips to prevent weight gain during your college life:

Hit up the gym. Most universities / colleges have free gyms available to students around the clock. Check out your class schedule and plan at least 30 minutes of daily workout into your schedule. This will also give you a little bit of leeway in your diet as well.

All-You-Can-Eat College Cafeteria. Get rid of the “All-You-Can-Eat” mentality and go for only one plate full. For me this was hard because I know that I was not getting my money’s worth, but I also wasn’t paying for my waistline to expand as well. Your plate should consist of 50% greens, a choice of meat, and the other 25% whole grains. Watch your portion sizes as well. Don’t be fooled either, most foods are full of lard and fat. I was shocked when I asked what our cafeteria put in the eggs and the cook said mainly cream, butter, and lard. Dont be afraid to ask what is in the food! Stay clear of un-identifiable meats too! GROSS!

Avoid Late Night Eating. When everyone is hanging out till 3 in the morning, the best thing to do is go for late night pizza or donut run. Don’t deny yourself food if you are craving it, but also don’t over indulge. Healthy eating is about moderation so go have fun with your friends but only have a few bites. Or better yet, fill up on water.

Vending Machine Snacks. Sometimes vending machines is the only option while on campus. Go for something wholesome and nutritious. Skip out on the candy and go for pretzels, reduced-fat popcorn, or granola bars. When it comes to drinks, avoid those full of sugar such as gatorade, soda, and go for water, milk, or unsweetened iced tea.

Keep Your Dorm Free of Junk Food and Unhealthy Snacks. Loading up on healthy snacks will cut out unwanted temptations that call out your name when you studying and is great to have on hand when everyone is heading for ice cream late at night. The freshman 15 increases with every unhealthy snack you eat. Load up on fruits, veggies, oatmeal, low sodium soups, yogurt, string cheese, and fat-free popcorn.

Don’t Skip Meals. Ironically those that skip meals are more likely to gain weight. This increases your changes of overeating later when you are starving and want to grab anything in sight. Make sure to wake up early enough to grab something on the go for breakfast and plan ahead for healthy meals if you have a class during lunch or dinner.

Avoid Stressing Eating. With all the stress of a new environment and college class, food can become your best friend… especially those powdered donuts. Make sure that you become aware of when you are stressed and then decipher if you are really hungry or not. If you are stressed and want to turn to food, chew on some gum to relieve the stress.

College life is some of the best years of your life, so make sure that you are not taking away from that by stressing yourself out over your weight and appearance. Just stick to these tips and you will be be sure to avoid the Freshmen 15!