How can I resolve this urge to just start thoughtlessly snacking? Is there any way that I can see my dorm as simply a sanctuary of rest/relaxation and a place to study - instead of snack-time central?
NOLA gal - About.com User
If you are on a meal plan at your school, you need to make healthy food choices at breakfast lunch and dinner, plus you should keep healthy, low calorie foods in your dorm room for snacks. Make sure that all of your regular meals and snacks provide the nutrients that you need and the right amount of calories. Don't skip meals either. If you are routinely skipping meals you may end up munching on snacks later in the day. Read The Basics of a Healthy Balanced Diet
Perhaps your dorm room doesn't feel comfortable for you so that you seek comfort from familiar foods that remind you of home. Maybe you and your roommate could decorate or rearrange your dorm room to make the room feel more cozy and comfortable. Maybe you and your roommate could also arrange your room so that her late night study time doesn't require a lot of moving around, which can cause noise and disrupt your sleeping time. Our Interior Decorating Guide has dorm decorating advice that may help.
That first year in college is pretty stressful. You are going through a lot of changes. Some are fun, some are scary, but all changes can increase your feelings of stress and anxiety. If you are relieving your stress by eating more food, maybe it would help to learn about other stress-reducing tools. Our Stress Management guide describes her favorite stress relieving tools. She also has several articles on stress and life as a student. Check out Students and Stress.
Our Weight Loss guide also has some help for you. Read Stress Solutions to learn how to deal with your stress without using food. She also has some help to reduce cravings that might be sabotaging your healthy diet.
