THE | DIET DETECTIVE^®

A: While living on campus, you may feel limited in your food selection to what is served at the dining halls, what is available in the vending machines, and what you can keep in your dorm room.

Breakfast is a great opportunity to fit in some quick and easy meals. If you have a refrigerator, you can shop a few times per month for these items and keep them in your room for easy access. Yogurt, low fat granola, fruit, skim milk and cereal are perfect for rushed mornings and will provide you with the energy you need to make it through your classes.

Keep your portions small. Many dining halls operate on a one price, all-you-can-eat philosophy. Fill up your plate once and avoid going back for seconds. Choose plenty of vegetables, too - they are nutrient dense with very few calories.

Often, all it takes are a few small changes to make a high calorie meal healthy and low in fat. For example, take the skin off your chicken, ask for salad dressing on the side (same goes for other sauces and condiments), and skip the butter on your bread. It may not sound like much, but every bit helps.

Stock up on healthy snacks for those late night study sessions. Fat free popcorn, fresh fruit, vegetables and low fat dip make easy-to-prepare snacks that you and your friends will love.

Make wise choices at the vending machine. Nuts, dried fruit and granola bars offer more in the way of nutrition than potato chips and cookies. However, you still need to keep your portion size in check, since these calories can add up quickly.

Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol not only provides your body with empty calories, but it also increases your appetite, which may lead to a late night junk food binge.

Many colleges have a dietitian on staff who can meet with you and help you make healthy food choices based on your food preferences. Contact your student health center to see if your school offers this service.