Everyone’s always afraid of getting the “Freshman fifteen.” Haven’t heard of it? It refers to the often-reported fifteen pounds that students gain in weight their first year. So there could be many reasons for this. Maybe mom or dad looks out for your nutrition and thus, the home-cooked meals have less fat and carbs than college cafeterias. Some students consume a lot of alcohol their freshman year. You’ve heard of the term, “beer belly.” But there is another subtle reason for the weight gain. Lack of sleep. This causes lower levels of leptin, which then causes overeating and weight gain. Your college nutritionist will have a few information sessions for more details.  

But for now, here are a few tips to prevent Freshman 15:

Take a few athletic classes.

Walk to class (as opposed to driving to class).

Schedule in time to exercise. Maybe set a time to workout with friends.

Try to get enough sleep and have a good sleep schedule.

Have a well-balanced meal – try to avoid a lot of fatty foods.