[Charmsey]

Hey all! I'm 21 and recently started a weight loss plan. I'm pretty much sticking to counting calories, but I'm a little bit nervous. I return to my campus on Sunday and eat primarily cafeteria food. I don't know how to keep myself accountable. We don't always know what will be served that day and the menu is generally subject to change.

Anyone have any ideas how to make this a bit easier?! I'm all for anything.

[Asherah]

Hey!
I'm also 21 and went though this business my freshman year. Cafeteria's are scary places when you're calorie counting. Who knows what lurks in those kitchens! Here's a couple of things you could do:
1) If your school offers menus online you could plan your meals ahead and count them before you go. You've already said they're subject to change though.
or
2) The better option: This is something my school nutritionist taught me to deal with cafeteria woes. Load half your plate with veggies preferably the healthiest ones (green, unfried and unsauced. Potatoes are not veggies, corn isn't the best choice either), a quarter with your starch (bread, potato, rice, pasta etc) and a quarter with your protein (which should be to bigger or thicker than the palm of your hand). Eat your veggies first and then everything else. If you want seconds go for the veggies first. Also try switching from soda to water and try to drink at least one whole glass of it with your meal. I lost 15 lbs doing this with exercise!
This method will help you remain in your calorie budget but still be satisfied.

[Charmsey]

That's the best advice I've heard! Thanks so much! I hadn't ever known how to organize my plate, no one tells you that stuff. Count on me to try this for the majority of my meals - especially dinner!

Cafeterias are just NO FUN. It's overwhelming sometimes - especially with all of the bad choices. I wish planning my menu in advance was easier, but it's just not. Besides, their serving sizes are ridiculous - like, if you get pasta, they give you a WHOLE plate full and at least a full cup of sauce. Who really needs that much?

Oh well, it's time to take control. I'll just tell them how much of everything I truly want...and tell them to stop if it gets to be too much.

[Jesse Taylor]

I know it's easy for cafeterias to make craptastic food for cheap, but you are PAYING for this food. I think more students need to get together and tell the administrations that they need to make better food and better choices. This country is morbidly obese. Giving crappy food to college students is terrible. Sorry it's a pet peeve for me with a daughter in college. She ended up moving out and budgeting her school money and has done so much better this year.

I don't know what your cafeteria is like. Maybe post a general week of what they serve and we could help.