Eating fast food like burgers, pizzas and other fried foods can definitely contribute to weight gain. And far too often, freshmen in college look to those foods to snack on during their busy schedules.

Personal trainer and advocate for healthy living Morris Brossette led a discussion entitled, “Put a Fork in the Freshman 15,” Wednesday evening in Dedman Center. The purpose of the event was to discuss the causes of the freshman 15, how to avoid it and how to create and stick to a plan. 

Brossette said students gain weight because they are unaware of what is considered healthy, do not get enough sleep and get caught eating too late at night. He said a good rule of thumb is to not eat past 7-7:30 p.m., or at least three hours before going to sleep.

Another point at the lecture was that unclear packaging on sports drinks and other beverages high in sugars can deceive freshman students into thinking they are making a healthy choice. Sports drinks like Gatorade, Vitamin Water and Odwalla smoothies are packed with sugar. Brossette said eighty percent of all sugar consumption in America is in the form of liquid, and what students don’t need for immediate energy gets stored as fat.

However, freshmen are bombarded with new experiences once they get to college: exams, papers, roommates, clubs, parties and relationships. So even with exercise, excess stress can still cause weight gain. But according to Brossette, a huge cause of weight gain among freshman surrounds not drinking enough water.

To limit weight gain, Brossette said freshman should limit fast food intake to once a week, eating this cheat meal early in the day as opposed to late at night. Eating smaller meals more frequently will keep blood sugar levels sustained and keep the body focused said Brossette.

He also recommended daily exercise, eating your biggest meal at lunch, choosing fruits for snacks and stocking dorm room fridges with healthy foods like vegetables, nuts and peanut butter.

Brossette said the best way for freshman to keep off the weight is to plan ahead. Easy ways to plan are to shop for the week on the Saturday or Sunday before, buy prepared foods and to make nutrition a part of the everyday schedule.

“If it grows and it’s green, it’s good,” Brossette said.

Freshman should create a plan by setting realistic goals and making nutrition a priority. But Brossette also said to keep it fun, making the nutrition routine simple by eating lots of fresh veggies, salads and fruits.