Help Your College Kid Eat Healthfully

While he's allegedly all grown up, your college kid can still benefit from the wisdom of his mother where nutrition is concerned (okay, where many things are concerned). Here are a few tips to help keep your freshman eating healthfully. Print them and place above his desk when he's not looking: it can't hurt.

Avoid "the tray": Some colleges have done away with the plastic rectangular conveyor-of-too-much-food altogether because it lends itself to food waste. Even if your kid's school still stacks them in the cafeteria's corner, encourage your freshman to opt instead for choosing as much food as they can carry in two hands. It automatically lends itself to grabbing less filler foods, such as fries and chips.

Choose the salad bar when possible: College salad bars have come a long way from iceberg lettuce and creamy ranch dressing. Healthier options, such as fresh and grilled vegetables and fruit and lower calorie dressings are available in abundance as well.

Don't "night-stalk": Eating a fourth meal late at night is tempting, particularly when pizza calls. Encourage your young adult to avoid late night snacking.

Time to cook: If your child is fortunate enough to have a kitchen in his or her dorm, encourage him or her to get together with friends to create some home-ish-cooked meals. You can supply the recipes. And, oh, yes: the groceries. (Maybe just for the first few meals?)

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