I am a freshman at Ithaca College. As I was entering college in August I was very nervous that I would gain the dreaded "Freshman 15." (even as health/food & fitness concious as I am.) I believe that it's a common fear amoung young girls, as well as some guys that I know. Many of my girl and guy friends have expressed this to me before.
If you are not playing a sport in college then your activity level is dropping greatly. I used to dance at least seventeen hours a week and as soon as I got to college that changed to me running only an hour a day. I've had to start watching my caloric intake a bit more closely and not splurging on unhealthy treats as often.
Ithaca College does seem to try to give it's students very healthy options for eating at school. They do a good job and if you are looking to eat healthfully then you can do that! At the same time they do have a lot of unhealthy options! I see that many people around me, including my roommate, eat very poorly. If you sit in the cafeteria for ten minutes you will see at least five students with over-flowing plates of greasy french fries, twelve kids with double cheeseburgers, tons of ice cream, hot dogs and pizza. It's your choice. Eat healthy and you'll feel better and look better! Eat poorly and you'll not just feel bad, but you might not look so good either. Well, at least not as good as you did when you entered college.
Colleges do realize that the dining halls are the students main source of food and nutrition so they do all that they can to make sure there are plenty of healthy options. They do as good as they can. They're not going to serve you the more fresh, healthy food... you have to be willing to seek it out and make the right choice for yourself. It's college... "no one is going to spoon feed you."
