College prep: Navigating the dining hall

Navigating the college dining hall can be overwhelming. Though every school has different selections, the all-you-can-eat buffets give you the freedom to pile on the food and often result in one too many plates of brownies and pasta.

The key is to survey all the food choices before you start loading up your plate. Once you’ve seen everything available, you can make smarter choices.

Be sure to craft a balanced meal with some lean protein, complex carbs and fresh veggies. Try to stick to one plate, unless you’re getting more veggies. Resist temptation and skip the sweets.

– Devin Thompson, The Boston 100