Fighting the Fabled Freshman 10

1. Eat breakfast.
2. Skip soda. Water is better.
3. If you are going to a place that serves big portions, keep this in mind: When you order takeout or eat at a restaurant, immediately half the dish. This way you save money and keep your weight down.
4. Find some exercise. Take the stairs, walk the next few blocks, use the gym instead of vegging out in front of the TV. For those more intellectually motivated, walk to the neighborhood bookstore or library.
5. Take small meals throughout the day. Starving yourself will make you want to eat more.
6. Instead of junk food, try peanuts (the supposed brain food), fruits or yogurt.
7. Think summer. No more hiding beneath bulky sweaters.
8. If you are craving for something like potato chips, buy a small bag. If you “deprive” yourself, you usually end up binging.
9. Fast food has healthy options. Instead of the greasy burger, why not consider the grilled chicken sandwich?
10. Try not to eat too late at night. It can also give you indigestion.

While walking is considered the best form of exercise (you’ll certainly get plenty of it on your way to school, doing your laundry, shopping for groceries and doing your errands), you will also spend a lot of time working in front of the computer. Getting exercise is a good way to clear your head and some studies say that you get even more productive after a workout. One of our more athletic respondents, Bibi Choa (Sophia University, Tokyo) said she joined an Aikido Club, used the school gym and worked out in her dorm room. Rhoel Dinglasan (Yale University, Connecticut) worked out almost everyday in the gym but chose to go a small local one since the university gym was always full. It was an added expense but he says it made up for the convenience. Eric Franco (Stanford, University, California) biked to school. Victoria Goseco (Columbia University, New York) took voluntary classes in the university’s gym.

Tip: The Food Guide Pyramid is an outline of what to eat each day based on the US Dietary Guidelines. According to the USDA a healthy diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products; Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts; and Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. For more information go to this link: http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.aspx

Source: USDA

Tip: Helpful Healthcare Sites
WEBMD Health http://www.my.webmd.com/
Great internet site to access information about health conditions. The site presents a topic overview of the disease, symptoms and medications, and how you can treat it at home.
National Institutes of Health http://www.nih.gov/
Wonderful website that provides the latest documents on health conditions put together by the US Department of Health and Human Services.