College Dining Hall + Weight Loss

goldenvulture

I was able to get down to about 172 before I came to college in September 1st. Since then (so 3 months-ish) I've gained about 5 pounds. This is not the direction I want to head in, since my goal weight is 130 pounds.

My college has a buffet style dining hall, and it doesn't really have healthy options apart from the salad bar. I can't really make my own food because I can't actually afford to (I went from living in the south to living in a New England city).

I was just wondering if you guys had any ideas on how to stop this weight gain, and get back on track with losing weight? I'm dairy free, and I've been going to health center to see if I have to be gluten free because of my stomach, but for right now I'm not. I also really hate red meat and pork, so I tend to stay away from those.

What exactly should I eat? I feel like I'm gonna get to bored of eating salad every day. Also, the "grilled" chicken in my school is deep fried? So a grilled chicken salad isn't actually healthy. They do have a panini press, but they have full fat cheese and "unhealthy" meats like ham and pepperoni.

I stay away from soft drink, I only drink water or sparkling water. I try to stay away from most desserts. Also, my school has a really bad meal plan, so for me to have enough meals until the end of the semester, I can only swipe twice a day. Ugh, I really need help, I don't want to get stuck in a rut and go back to my original weight. at 172, my total weight loss from my highest weight was 14 pounds.

Madame_Goldbricker

So what are you eating at the minute then? What is a "typical" day for you? Do they do pasta, rice, veggie options? I'm assuming they must cater for the vegetarians? Are you logging & staying within your daily calorie allowances? If you are then you don't necessarily have to see things as unhealthy options as such. One persons version of "unhealthy" differs to the next. Your profile/diary is unavailable - if you open it up maybe we could give you some more ideas.

HollisGrant

I was able to get down to about 172 before I came to college in September 1st. Since then (so 3 months-ish) I've gained about 5 pounds. This is not the direction I want to head in, since my goal weight is 130 pounds.

My college has a buffet style dining hall, and it doesn't really have healthy options apart from the salad bar. I can't really make my own food because I can't actually afford to (I went from living in the south to living in a New England city).

I was just wondering if you guys had any ideas on how to stop this weight gain, and get back on track with losing weight? I'm dairy free, and I've been going to health center to see if I have to be gluten free because of my stomach, but for right now I'm not. I also really hate red meat and pork, so I tend to stay away from those.

What exactly should I eat? I feel like I'm gonna get to bored of eating salad every day. Also, the "grilled" chicken in my school is deep fried? So a grilled chicken salad isn't actually healthy. They do have a panini press, but they have full fat cheese and "unhealthy" meats like ham and pepperoni.

I stay away from soft drink, I only drink water or sparkling water. I try to stay away from most desserts. Also, my school has a really bad meal plan, so for me to have enough meals until the end of the semester, I can only swipe twice a day. Ugh, I really need help, I don't want to get stuck in a rut and go back to my original weight. at 172, my total weight loss from my highest weight was 14 pounds.

I feel for you. I'm an older person in college again, but fortunately I get to eat at home. I went to a lecture today on a campus in another city and didn't see very much I would want to eat.

The type of food won't make you overweight, though. It's the amount of calories you consume.

Can you load up on oatmeal for breakfast? What about soup? Does the salad bar have beans?

If you live in a dorm with a kitchen and fridge (or could afford a small fridge in your room), you might cook dried beans for protein. I eat a lot of lentils. A bag of dried lentils from the grocery store costs 99 cents to $1.20. One measuring cup of lentils has the protein of 3 eggs (18 grams versus 6 grams) and they don't require soaking. I cook one bag, stir fry the lentils in a little olive oil with onions, carrots, and whatever else I have on hand, and have enough for 4-5 meals with a little rice and steamed kale or other greens. I season with McCormick's Perfect Pinch line of spices (a no MSG/no added sugar spice). My food expenses have run about $100 a month for a while now. That kind of food is very cheap and easy to make. Same thing with making a pot of soup for yourself.

clarkeje1

Just control your portion sizes and stay under your calorie goal each day

Tiznonay

the grilled chicken is fried, lol. yeah, my school's laughably unhealthy too. I never eat there. I hear ya on the money issue, but for me, buying healthier options at the grocery store is still slightly cheaper. Just nowhere near as fast or convenient...

Doctorpurple

Do they have healthy option area at the dining hall. I know when I was in college they usually have one small stall where they have healthy options and they would state the number of calories in that meal as well. Yeah unfortunately dining halls are really unhealthy. I will stick with the salad bar and the healthy option section if they have one.