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:

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

    LWons@HotMail.com

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

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  3. Follow on twitter dddiva
    discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com

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

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  5. i love eggplant dip and pita triangles.

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  6. I love eggplant dip and pita triangles.

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  7. i love eggplant dip and pita triangles.

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  8. I like cheese and crackers.

    slb3334@gmail.com

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  9. I like trail mix with almonds, sunflower seeds and raisins

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  14. im a sucker for edamame or sugar snap peas.

    ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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

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

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  16. My favorite healthy snack is greek yogurt with fresh fruit.

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

    chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. @chrisdeglen tweeted:

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

    chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. HORTON111@AOL.COM

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

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

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

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  22. hummus and pretzels crystletellerday@yahoo.com

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

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  24. I like grapes.
    pcollins@viscom.net

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  25. follow Finace Foodie on twitter

    pcollins@viscom.net

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

    amylynn1984@hotmail.com

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

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  28. Follow you via twittter@tmt121172 tracietrump@yahoo.com

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

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  30. I love fruit and cheese, thanks

    Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

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  31. Following you via Twitter (@Hotsnotty2), Thanks!

    Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

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

    Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

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

    ReplyDelete
  34. My favorite healthy snack is White seedless grapes.

    gefr71@breakthru.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I follow @financefoodie1 on twitter as GDE71

    gefr71@breakthru.com

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

    sylvieanddudes@yahoo.com

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

    ReplyDelete
  38. My favorite healthy snack is grapes.

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  39. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter@tcarolinep

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

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

    littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

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  42. im your twitter follower as @emilyreviewscom

    littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

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

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

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

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  46. I like dried fruits.
    shawnac68@hotmail.com

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  47. 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

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  48. My favorite healthy snack is popcorn.

    khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  49. 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

    ReplyDelete
  50. following financefoodie1 on twitter (donaldlight84)
    donaldlight84(at)yahoo(dot)com

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

    donaldlight84(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  52. My healthy snack is peanuts.
    erma3990@sbcglobal.net

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  53. My favorite healthy snack are raw carrots.

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

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  55. I am following you on twitter-laurallee56

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

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

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  58. Fiber One bars or Kelloggs Fiber Plus bars

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  59. I like the walnuts!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  60. My favorite healthy snack is watermelon.

    daveshir2005@yahoo.com

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  61. I love yogurt as a snack.

    stormraven at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I follow on Twitter (@psychotichouse)

    stormraven at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I love crosscut carrots and hummus.

    veronicafleury (gmail)

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

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  65. I like popcorn
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

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

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

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

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

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

    hmcnaron at gmail dotcom

    ReplyDelete
  71. popcorn (natural...not lots of butter)

    theresa _ heppner @yahoo dot com

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

    ReplyDelete
  73. I follow finance foodie on twitter (@natashagt)

    natashagt (at) live (dot) com

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

    natashagt (at) live (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  75. my favorite healthy snack is low-fat yogurt

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

    msurosey@yahoo.com

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  82. following you on twitter @fdp4life
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

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

    ReplyDelete
  84. My favorite healthy snack is veggies & hummus

    beckandcallgirl @ hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  85. following on twitter

    @lovefun2day

    beckandcallgirl @ hotmail dot com

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

    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  90. My favorite healthy snack is fruit, especially nectarines.

    cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com

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

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I follow you on twitter as kmayans.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

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

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

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

    nick.hilleshiem@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. 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

    ReplyDelete
  97. I also follow you on twitter! (niko2k4)

    Thank you!
    Niko O.
    niko2004 at hotmail.com

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

    ReplyDelete
  99. I love apple slices or almonds!

    ReplyDelete
  100. Thanks for the great contest!
    bahjeep@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  101. My favorite healthy snack is cucumber with laughing cow cheese.

    lecaton at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  102. lunchmeat and cheese roll-up
    lah0824@aol.com

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

    ReplyDelete
  104. My favorite healthy snack is baby carrots!

    majesty1983@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  105. I am following finance foodie on twitter!

    majesty1983@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  106. I re tweeted the giveaway! =)

    majesty1983@gmail.com

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

    ReplyDelete