Back to School, Part 1

Woo-hoo, coll-ege! Unfortunately, book-learning and fat-burning go together like a fish and a bicycle. There’s nothing like a 2 a.m. taco break when you’re up to your ears in anthropology, or quantum physics, or Hamlet. This is one of the big reasons the Pink Patch was created: it runs interference between you and the Tacos of Doom. However, you should absolutely refuel your body: accomplishing your B.A. is exhausting. In Part 1, we take on…the mini-fridge and your dorm room.

Mini-Fridge Essentials

- Brita Filter. You should always have clean, cool water on hand. One of the first steps to losing or maintaining your weight is to only drink water: it fills you up so you can control your appetite, hydrates and clears your skin, and flushes your system. Plus: we often mistake dehydration for hunger – drink a glass of water before you start eyeing the vending machine down the hall. Also: it’s free.

- Fat-free Yogurt. Buy the small containers, not a big one. Remember, it’s perishable: buying a couple of small containers will help the yogurt last longer AND help you keep tabs on how much you consume.

- Sugar-free Popsicles. If your fridge has a freezer compartment, make sure you have a box of these on hand. They’ll satisfy your sweet tooth and they’re fat-free: a perfect snack.

- Oranges. Keeping them refrigerated gives them a longer shelf life, plus they’ll give you a great boost of vitamin C, which is incredibly important for your immune system. Getting sick at college BLOWS: no mom, falling behind in your classes, AND sharing your bedroom with a roommate who’s convinced you’ll infect them with some kind of 28 Days Later virus is not fun. Also: oranges take time to consume, so they force you to eat slowly. Sweet, nutritious, and filling: perfect! Apples are a great mini-fridge stash as well.

Around the Room

- Instant Oatmeal: low-fat and low calorie, filling, and versatile. Also, it’s easy to make in the microwave and infinitely better for you than Easy Mac.

- Dried Fruit. Apricots and cranberries are great munchy foods, and they’re a great addition to oatmeal.

- Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans. Also great in oatmeal, plus they’re high in protein and fiber, which makes them filling and nutritious.

- 100-Calorie-Pack Mini Rice Cakes. Keep a small container of natural peanut butter in your room as well, or maybe some low-sugar jam in the fridge and you’ve a got a great diet-safe midnight snack.

Snack Check List:

- Low-fat or fat-free

- Low-sugar

- High-fiber or a good source of protein