• Grab a piece of fruit every time you leave the dining hall, and carry it with you for a quick snack on the go.

• After you brush your teeth in the morning, take a balanced multivitamin. It doesn't hurt to have extra nutrition insurance!

• Experiment with vegetarian meal options. College is full of new experiences, and this is a perfect time to try different foods.

• Keep quick snacks in your room: pretzels, low-fat popcorn, high-fiber crackers, unsweetened breakfast cereal. If you purchase snacks at the grocery store instead of using vending machines, you'll save money.

• You may think eating lunch at the salad bar is a great way to avoid gaining weight. It can be, if you:

• Use only a small amount of low-fat or fat-free salad dressing
• Avoid vegetable salads made with mayonnaise
• Use only a sprinkling of cheese, nuts or seeds
• Use legumes such as garbanzo beans or kidney beans for added protein
• Fill up your bowl with fresh, plain veggies

• Avoid keeping high-calorie foods such as ice cream, candy and cookies in your room. Instead, eat a small portion for dessert after a meal once each day to satisfy your craving for something sweet.

• Eat breakfast! One college student I know thinks ''breakfast'' is a foreign word. Breakfast can be a bagel and juice in your room or on the way to class; cereal, milk and fruit in the dining hall; or even a hot meal. Breakfast will get your body and brain ready for the day, and you'll be less likely to snack due to mid-morning hunger attacks.