What should you say to your college kid when he or she comes home for Thanksgiving having all too clearly gained the notorious Freshman 15?
Not. One. Word.
So says Daphne Oz, author of “The Dorm Room Diet” and daughter of famed cardiovascular surgeon Mehmet Oz. Daphne Oz knows what it’s like to be an overweight adolescent in a health-conscious family.
Because she lost weight when she went to college, Oz also knows how to navigate the stresses and temptations of campus life without packing on the pounds.
Oz, 24, insists that silence in the face of the Freshman 15 is a parent’s best strategy, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you.
“This is your child’s first time at home since leaving. They want to come back to their comfort zone. You will end up in a massive family feud if you get on their case for packing on a few extra pounds,” Oz says.
Jane Jakubczak, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at the University of Maryland at College Park’s health center, agrees.
“Have your child lead the conversation,” she suggests. “She will probably bring it up.”
Several studies have found that when first-year college students gain weight, it’s typically more like five pounds, not 15. But that’s still enough to be noticeable, especially now, Jakubczak notes, when everyone unpacks warm clothes they haven’t worn since last winter.
Nibble around the edges
Even if you never actually talk about weight, there are things you can do — and others you shouldn’t — to help your daughter or son (yes, the boys gain, too!) learn more healthful habits. (These tips are also useful when dealing with a kid who has expressed a willingness to talk about his weight.)
Don’t scrutinize what they eat on Thanksgiving. Instead of asking, “Do you think you need that extra helping of stuffing?,” focus on letting your child enjoy the traditional food that makes the holiday special.
Do make it easier not to overeat, though, by serving the feast on smaller plates, Oz suggests. And start a tradition of serving soup or salad before the main meal.
Do invite your kid grocery-shopping and help him or her learn to choose healthful items. Stock the kitchen with fresh fruit and whole- grain cereals, and be sure to place them at eye level in the fridge or pantry. Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter.
Do model healthful eating habits such as drinking milk and eating breakfast. Jakubczak says parents might be surprised by how closely their kids watch them.
Don’t just sit there. Incorporate physical activity (after-dinner walks, a football toss in the yard) into your family’s Thanksgiving traditions, Jakubczak says.
Nutrition 101
If your child does broach the topic of weight gain, you can go a bit further in helping him or her get on a better track back at college:
Advise your child that it’s OK to indulge in a special treat once in awhile, such as a sliver of birthday cake. Skipping altogether leads to a sense of deprivation and perhaps more cravings. Even pizza’s fine sometimes, Jakubczak says, so long as your kid decides ahead of time to enjoy just a slice or two, and preferably veggie-topped.
Brainstorm activities with friends that don’t involve food. “Instead of a coffee date, get a group of friends to take walks around campus,” Oz says.
Explore the services your kid’s college offers. Most have health centers whose staff can help devise a healthful eating and exercise plan and suggest ways to manage stress, sleep schedules and other factors that can lead to weight gain, Jakubczak says.
