You’re constantly surrounded by delicious things to eat: drive-through burgers, vending machine snacks, and dining hall options galore. While you can definitely indulge in your favorites from time to time, you should keep an eye on processed foods that have a long ingredient list (such as cookies, chips, and frozen pizza). These items are usually made to have a long shelf life, which is great for stocking up your dorm room cabinet, but not so great for your health.
Whether you’re relying on meal plan points in the cafeteria or have access to a kitchen, swap out processed foods for fresh ones whenever possible. For example, instead of boxed cereal, try a warm bowl of steel-cut oats with berries. Trade packaged pretzels for baby carrots and hummus if you need a mid-homework snack, and replace the extra cheese on your sub sandwich with lots of lettuce and tomato slices. Eating fresh, whole foods will keep you energized and prevent those awkwardly loud stomach growls during class.