Dining Hall Tips
The dining hall can be a dangerous place: there’s pizza, brownies, and French fries at every turn. Now that your parents are no longer controlling your meal choices or the amount of food you eat, it’s up to you to make healthy eating decisions. Fight the extra pounds with these dining hall guidelines:
- Choose healthy side dishes. Ask for steamed vegetables or a baked potato.
- Drink water. Avoid sugar-filled fruit juice and soda.
- Ask for dressing and sauce on the side. That way, you can control how much of them you consume.
- Don’t clean your plate. If you’re not hungry anymore, stop eating. Don’t feel bad about leaving food on your plate.
- Avoid seconds. Ask yourself if you’re really still hungry. If you’re not, don’t go back for more.
- Try new things. Good nutrition isn’t about limiting your choices. It’s about trying new foods cooked in a healthy way.
- Skip dessert. Don’t eat the sweet stuff just because it’s there. It’s okay to treat yourself now and then, though. If you deprive yourself of sweets completely, you’re bound to break down and eat them in excess.
- Don’t rush. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to get the signal that your stomach is full. Take your time in the dining hall and catch up with friends. Eating slowly will help you eat less.
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