Hey everyone!

I'm a college student who has no idea how I'll be able to count calories in college. I eat a at the cafeteria so I don't know the portion size or often what exactly is in what I'm eating Does anyone have any advice on how to count calories on college! Thanks in advance

Hi!

I'm also a college student, so I can totally relate to your problems counting calories in college. I'm not sure how your cafeteria works, but in mine there are a number of options. When in doubt, I always choose things that can easily be measured, like one slice of ham, a piece of wheat bread, 8 ounces of milk, etc.

When it comes to pre-cooked foods, or the more, meal type things (chicken in sauce or what have you) I try to eye ball it. One serving of meat is roughly the size of a deck of cards, and servings of most other things are about the size of your fist. If you want more exact measurements, you could bring your own measuring cups and go from there. It can be awkward though. I've done a few experiments with the containers in my cafeteria, though, and can avoid some of the 'measuring out pasta' situations. I know, for example, that the little plastic to-go dressing holders are 2 oz, the small paper cups are 8 oz and the big ones are 16 oz. The majority of the serving utensils are about 3/4 of a cup. Figuring this out wasn't too difficult. I just poured water into the cups, and then poured that water into something that gave specific amounts (like my water bottle that marks off amounts from 0-32 oz). As for the utensils, I just filled it as close as I could to completely, and then measured it once I was back to my table. It is kind of tricky, but manageable.

It really helps to learn what rough serving sizes of things are, a deck of cards, your fist, etc, and then you should be able to eye ball it with just a little bit of practice. If your school serves you, and you have no choice in how much you get, take what they give you, and measure it once you are back to your table. It would be easier if I could cart a little food scale with me everywhere, but that isn't practical.

I hope this made a little bit of sense, and good luck!!!

-Effie