We have all experienced the excitement of starting college. As you sat down and thought about all the wonderful experiences ahead, you were ready to embark on this new phase in your life. You were finally getting out on your own and facing a new world of opportunity.

If you’re like most college students, behind the excitement was anxiety and fear. There are many questions that race through the minds of beginning freshman.

One of the biggest problems facing most freshmen today may be the last thing on their minds. USA Today recently ran an article entitled Freshman 15, Plus which said that, statistically, the average freshman will gain approximately 15 pounds in their first semester.

Increased food consumption, particularly snacking, is often to blame.

Other significant factors include increases in the number of late evening meals and snacks, more meals eaten on weekends and increased consumption of junk food. This combination of more food and less activity quickly adds up on the scale.

Whether you are a beginning freshman or a senior in the last semester of your college life, we can all do our best to stay healthy and fit while here at UTM.

Here are some tips from The College Student’s Guide to Eating Well on Campus, by Ann Selkowitz Litt, M.S., R.D.

• Instead of grabbing the first thing that looks good in the cafeteria, scope out the healthiest selections and choose those.

• Pick familar foods. Stick with baked and broiled meats, especially chicken and fish.

• Don’t get dessert on your first trip through the line. You’ll be more likely to skip dessert entirely or choose a smaller one.

• Avoid lingering with friends over food. To signal the end of a meal, remove your plate, brush your teeth, have a mint, or drink a glass of water.

If you are struggling with your weight, there is no better time to change than today.

For more information about proper nutrition, visit www.eatright.org.