First-Year-Flab Facts

In your first year at university, there are many excuses to max out your kilojoule intake – from late-night booze binges to all-night pizza pig-outs. But recent studies in the US have shown that female freshmen (first-years) typically gain an average of 3kg during their first semester. It may not sound like a lot but it's still enough to make your jeans a bit too tight.

New York nutritionist Jennifer Andrus suggests starting off the day healthily. 'Eating a healthy breakfast – such as whole-wheat toast with low-fat cottage cheese – will keep food cravings at bay during the day,' she says. Also consider cutting back on booze. According to a kilojoule counter from The Daily Telegraph in the UK, a can of beer contains between 260kJ and 585kJ, depending on whether it's a light beer or a regular one. 'Down four beers, and pizza, every weekend, and you may just become a little too bootylicious!' says Andrus.

Author: Lelethu Lumkwana