Calorie awareness can save weight watcher worriers

As active college students, we are always on the go.

An aspect of our health that often gets overlooked is proper nutrition. Many people feel like diets are too restricting and deprive you of enough food.

Instead of dieting, simply begin making healthier decisions on a regular basis, focusing more on the quality of the food rather than eating less or cutting something out completely. 

Getting quality calories can be the difference in obtaining a lean and muscular physique.

By implementing some easy strategies to get better quality fuel into our bodies, we will feel better; improve body composition and power through our day.

Here are some healthier choices to implement at our on campus restaurants.

At Subway choose whole grain breads, lean meats—chicken, turkey—or go breadless and opt for a salad. At Chick Fil-A, go for a chargrilled chicken sandwich, chicken salad, fruit cup, side salad. At Einstein's go for a egg white bagel thins, whole wheat bagel with peanut butter, fruit cup, or a yogurt parfait. At Jamba juice is healthier choice is oatmeal, fruit or veggie smoothies.

Although on campus, dining is quick and convenient, eating at home can be the best way to ensure you're not overloading on calories. 

A grilled stuffed burrito from Taco Bell contains over 800 calories, a foot long tuna sub at Subway contains nearly 800 calories, and the chicken sandwich from Chick- Fil-A will run you about 430 calories.

Here are some quick and affordable at home options to buy and pack for meals to bring to class with you: chicken breast (frozen), tuna packet, frozen or canned veggies, eggs (or eggbeaters, microvable brown rice, instant original oatmeal.

These can all be prepared in less than 20 minutes and by choosing to cook a meal at home you can easily save 300-400 calories by eating quality meals.

There are some calorie saving tips that will save you from stressing about your weight. Avoid dressings or condiments that contain an abundance of sugars and saturated fats. Instead of sweetening a drink with sugar use Splenda. Instead of drinking sodas or fruit juices high in sugar, drink water tea or coffee. Avoid high-fat dairy products like certain types of cheese and milk

It is possible to make better nutritional decision on campus.

Opt for proteins, such as lean meats; get sides that consist of vegetables, and complex carbohydrates, such as wheat bread, oatmeal, and fruit.

These selections are all low in calories, and high in protein, they have slow digesting carbohydrates that will provide long lasting energy. 

The combination of these nutritional options will provide a perfect balance for a healthy fit body.

By simply making just a few changes in your diet you will have more energy and feel better.