Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Healthy Alternatives to Fight the Freshman 15!

"I love college..."

Now that Labor Day has officially come and gone, it's time to put away the Hawaiian Tropic and pull out the Jan Sport buried deep in the closet. Yup -- it's back to school time, which means long days of learning filled with even longer nights of meeting and greeting (this is especially true in my grad program, where everything seems to be done over pizza and beer!).

Let's be real here, with all this eating, drinking and lack of sleep, it's super easy to gain the dreaded Freshman 15. Luckily, my older and wiser self (marred by a slower metabolism), has found some simple but effective foodie tips that have helped in keeping me trim and my the social calendar on a roll. Check out my tips -after the jump!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Foodie Tip #1: Diet Alcoholic Drinks
College is a mecca for drinking at all times and those two, four, seven drinks a day can really add up (case in point: an average sized pint of beer packs in more than 200 calories!).  Plus, if you're a girly-girl like me, you probably secretly hate the taste of beer / liquor, and wish you were spending those 200 plus calories on something that actually tasted good -- like a cookie. My solution? Mike's Hard Lite Lemonade and Cranberry Lemonade (aka the Girl Beer). With only 109 calories per 12oz bottle, this all-natural and gluten-free beverage tastes just like a fruity punch -- you totally cannot taste the alcohol at all. Not to mention, it also looks super coordinated with my pastel swimsuit while chilling poolside!

Foodie Tip #2: Turkey Burgers
Most fully loaded beef burgers top out at over 800 calories, which spells trouble for the waistband. Therefore, whenever I attend a BBQ party, I always make sure to bring a box of Jennie O Turkey Burger patties for the grill. These babies, coming in at ~170 calories per patty, are much less fatty and caloric than the traditional beef burger, but just as yummy and juicy (and pre-seasoned too!). Topped with lettuce, tomato and ketchup (NO MAYO FOLKS!)-- this turkey burger makes one satisfying and fulfilling meal that doesn't break the calorie bank.

Foodie Tip #3: H2O
It's a proven fact that not staying hydrated can lead to weight gain, so I always make sure to carry a bottle of water with me wherever I go (in fact, I only buy handbags that are big enough to fit a 16 oz water bottle). Since I am deathly afraid of unfiltered water (sorry but I'm high maintenance), I rely on my Zero Water pitcher to provide clean, fresh and sediment free water to quench my thirst and keep the hunger pains away. This water filter, which I find far superior to my old Brita filter, remove both organics and the heavy metals dissolved in the water (ordinary carbon filters used by the Brita pitcher normally remove organics matters only). The result -- cleaner and crispier water that I happily imbibe. Plus, each pitcher set comes with a water testing meter that shows the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) -- so rest assure, you water is for sure pure!
So there you have it -- a few quick tips to stave off the pounds while enjoying the college experience!

***Giveaway***

Congrats #78 - Harris!

Jennie O Meats has teamed up with financefoodie.com to help one lucky reader start the school year (or Fall season) off healthy by giving away two $10 gift certificates good  for any Jennie O retail or deli meat product.

There are THREE ways to enter
1. REQUIRED: In my comments section, tell me what you what is your favorite healthy snack. Also please include your email address so I can contact you if you win!
2. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter (leave separate comment telling me this)
3. Reblog / Retweet this giveaway (leave separate comment telling me this)

Contest ends Friday, September 9, 2011 at 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen via random integer generator on random.org announced on the financefoodie.com site shortly afterwards that night!

Full Disclosure: The prize pack has been provided by Jennie O. I was not compensated for this post. 

Photo Credits: Jennie O / Financefoodie.com / Jenny Zhang

112 comments:

mar said...

My favorite heathly snack is a toasted bagel with low fat cream cheese.

LWons@HotMail.com

Unknown said...

I like frozen fruit- melon cubes and grapes particularly.
discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Follow on twitter dddiva
discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/dddiva/status/111042858974318592
discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com

debbie c said...

i love eggplant dip and pita triangles.

debbie c said...

I love eggplant dip and pita triangles.

debbie c said...

i love eggplant dip and pita triangles.

slb3334 said...

I like cheese and crackers.

slb3334@gmail.com

buzzd said...

I like trail mix with almonds, sunflower seeds and raisins

buzzd said...

follow on twitter @buzz8

The Crazy Gengler Boys said...

i like pretzels for a healthy snack -- aggiegrad02@gmail.com

BethElderton said...

We like Hummus with pita bread and veggies for a healthy snack.
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

mrs.mommyy said...

frozen yogurt

BethElderton said...

tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/mbm218/status/111257601416757248
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

bored2quickly said...

I love frozen grapes more than anything! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Renee Walters
bored2quickly@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

im a sucker for edamame or sugar snap peas.

ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Simone said...

My favorite healthy snack is a little package of cocoa dusted almonds.

Thanks for the great giveaway!
firstofmany(at)ymail(dot)com

sweepmom said...

My favorite healthy snack is greek yogurt with fresh fruit.

Anonymous said...

My favorite healthy snack is popcorn. I have it often and love it.

chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

@chrisdeglen tweeted:

http://twitter.com/#!/chrisdeglen/status/111409592117895168

chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

MY FAVORITE SNACK IS AN APPLE, BANANA (A PIECE OF FRUIT)

catrinkaleigh said...

my favorite healthy food snack is baby carrots
catrinka.leigh@gmail.copm

catrinkaleigh said...

follow on twitter as catrinkaleigh
catrinka.leigh@gmail.com

crystletellerday said...

hummus and pretzels crystletellerday@yahoo.com

Linda said...

I love a veggie snack!
mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

Laura C said...

I like grapes.
pcollins@viscom.net

Laura C said...

follow Finace Foodie on twitter

pcollins@viscom.net

MissAmyLynn said...

My fav snack is hummus! I just love it with anything :)

amylynn1984@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

My fav snack is hummus with veggies! tracietrump@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Follow you via twittter@tmt121172 tracietrump@yahoo.com

kygirl said...

My favorite is veggies with lowfat ranch dressing
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Hotsnotty2 said...

I love fruit and cheese, thanks

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Hotsnotty2 said...

Following you via Twitter (@Hotsnotty2), Thanks!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Hotsnotty2 said...

http://twitter.com/#!/Hotsnotty2/status/111611467052220416

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

esldiane@gmail.com said...

My favorite snack is fresh fruit salad
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com

Gary E said...

My favorite healthy snack is White seedless grapes.

gefr71@breakthru.com

Gary E said...

I follow @financefoodie1 on twitter as GDE71

gefr71@breakthru.com

Derk Thomas said...

hummus and vegetables

Anonymous said...

I'm a big fan of tortilla chips. They hit the spot when I want a salty snack.

sylvieanddudes@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

humus and pita
Thanks so much!! Janna Johnson jannajanna@hotmail.com janna@feedyourpig on gfc

JC said...

My favorite healthy snack is grapes.

JC said...

Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter@tcarolinep

JC said...

http://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/111665467336298496

Emily Reviews said...

I love cut up apples. For some reason apples seem more fun when they're cut up.

littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

Emily Reviews said...

im your twitter follower as @emilyreviewscom

littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

Unknown said...

I love a small piece of corn on the cob. Just plain.

stracey2010 said...

my favorite healthy snack is baby carrots
stracey2010@live.com

Bonnie P said...

I like watermelon or cantelope in summer
oranges or bananas in winter
bepoia(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I like dried fruits.
shawnac68@hotmail.com

Bonni said...

I really enjoy having my spinach salads in the summer time...there are so many ways that you can change them up...turkey with strawberries and almond slivers or turkey with sliced egg and crummbled cheese:) yumm

Kristie said...

My favorite healthy snack is popcorn.

khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Donald said...

My fav healthy snack would have to be carrots and peanut butter (or celery) Also almost every fruit with yogurt!
donaldlight84(at)yahoo(dot)com

Donald said...

following financefoodie1 on twitter (donaldlight84)
donaldlight84(at)yahoo(dot)com

Donald said...

tweeted (http://twitter.com/#!/DonaldLight84/status/111868711589253120)

donaldlight84(at)yahoo(dot)com

erma said...

My healthy snack is peanuts.
erma3990@sbcglobal.net

McKim said...

My favorite healthy snack are raw carrots.

laurasloves said...

My favorite healthy snack is apples and raisins.
laura.hopelessromantic.emerson@gmail.com

laurasloves said...

I am following you on twitter-laurallee56

Anonymous said...

My favorite healthy snack is unsalted roasted peanuts in the shell. paglossian at mail dot com

debsweeps4 said...

My favorite health snack is grapes. debsweeps4@yahoo.com

Tammy said...

Fresh Fruit!

Melodic Mom said...

Fiber One bars or Kelloggs Fiber Plus bars

Anonymous said...

I like the walnuts!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

daveshir2005 said...

My favorite healthy snack is watermelon.

daveshir2005@yahoo.com

Storm, The Psychotic Housewife said...

I love yogurt as a snack.

stormraven at gmail dot com

Storm, The Psychotic Housewife said...

I follow on Twitter (@psychotichouse)

stormraven at gmail dot com

Vee said...

I love crosscut carrots and hummus.

veronicafleury (gmail)

Yona said...

My fav healthy snack is fruit. Email: yona(at)pricelesswriters.com

Tabathia B said...

I like popcorn
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/112016905426042880
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

ard1977 said...

My fave healthy snack is frozen grapes! Thanks! ard1977@gmail dot com

ard1977 said...

follow you on twitter @amied027. ard1977@gmail dot com

ard1977 said...

tweeted- http://twitter.com/#!/amied027/status/112023976372486144
ard1977@gmail dot com

h. mcnaron said...

I like homemade pita chips dusted with cumin, or else a spoonful of peanut butter to tide me over.

hmcnaron at gmail dotcom

babytrees said...

popcorn (natural...not lots of butter)

theresa _ heppner @yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

My favorite healthy snack is a strawberry and banana smoothie with skim milk and honey. It's even better than ice cream!

Unknown said...

I follow finance foodie on twitter (@natashagt)

natashagt (at) live (dot) com

Unknown said...

tweeted the giveaway:
http://twitter.com/#!/natashagt/status/112037451366793216

natashagt (at) live (dot) com

rdazer said...

my favorite healthy snack is low-fat yogurt

mail4rosey said...

Plain yogurt with strawberries, blueberries, and a sprinkle of granola is my fave.

msurosey@yahoo.com

Amy said...

Hummus and veggies are my favorite snack. It gives me the crunch fix without the calories in chips and dip.

Lisa Garner said...

My favorite healthy snack is yogurt with apple slices.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Lisa Garner said...

I'm following you on Twitter @lisalmg.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Lisa Garner said...

I Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/lisalmg/status/112141649223745536
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

my favorite healthy snack is fresh fruit
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

following you on twitter @fdp4life
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life/status/112145862846709762
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

Kate said...

My favorite healthy snack is veggies & hummus

beckandcallgirl @ hotmail dot com

Kate said...

following on twitter

@lovefun2day

beckandcallgirl @ hotmail dot com

Kathy P said...

my favorite health snack is carrot sticks with a lowfat spinach dip

kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

Kathy P said...

http://twitter.com/#!/klp1965/status/112164910464638976

Unknown said...

Bananas are my favorite healthy snacks. garrettsambo@aol.com

tiff715 said...

My fav healthy snack is mini bagels and organic peanut butter
tiff715@hotmail.com

clynsg said...

My favorite healthy snack is fruit, especially nectarines.

cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com

degood said...

My favorite healthy snack is a cup of non-fat greek yougurt.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

degood said...

I follow you on twitter as kmayans.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

Nick Hilleshiem said...

I like rice cakes with some peanut butter!
nick.hilleshiem@yahoo.com

Nick Hilleshiem said...

followed finance foodie on twitter.
nhilleshiem
nick.hilleshiem@yahoo.com

Nick Hilleshiem said...

tweeted giveaway.
http://twitter.com/#!/nhilleshiem/status/112215326728519680

nick.hilleshiem@yahoo.com

Niko said...

My favorite healthy snack is a mix of chopped up fruits made into a sort of fruit salad mix!

Thanks,
Niko O.
niko2004 at hotmail.com

Niko said...

I also follow you on twitter! (niko2k4)

Thank you!
Niko O.
niko2004 at hotmail.com

RaettigFamily said...

Fresh fruit is my favorite

Unknown said...

turkey is a great food snack--otherwise we love our fresh fruits here!!
thanks so much
kendraco22 at yahoo dot com

Sand said...

I love apple slices or almonds!

barb hunt said...

Thanks for the great contest!
bahjeep@aol.com

Lauren said...

My favorite healthy snack is cucumber with laughing cow cheese.

lecaton at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

lunchmeat and cheese roll-up
lah0824@aol.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite healthy snack is fresh fruit. Thanks!
cuponclipper1@yahoo.com

phillipanddanielle said...

My favorite healthy snack is baby carrots!

majesty1983@gmail.com

phillipanddanielle said...

I am following finance foodie on twitter!

majesty1983@gmail.com

phillipanddanielle said...

I re tweeted the giveaway! =)

majesty1983@gmail.com

Heather said...

My favorite snack is the Fiber One 90 calorie brownies. YUM-O

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