Health and nutrition experts agree that by adopting a few new habits, students can make staying healthy in college much easier.

If your current diet or fitness plan isn’t working for you, diet expert Alyssa Simpson and gastroenterologist Dr. Douglas Schwartz have some pro tips for students who have a difficult time leading a healthy lifestyle and staying physically active.

Despite many college students having busy schedules, studying and working, Schwartz says there are little things students can do to adjust their diet and fitness habits, one step at a time.

Nutritionist and dietitian Alyssa Simpson, who works for Arizona Digestive Health, said that students can avoid the dreaded overeating or snacking by spacing out their meals and snacks every three or four hours, which she said will prevent getting hungry later. This way, students can try to avoid binge eating or eating excessive amounts of junk foods.

“Students can keep their calories down by eating pre-portioned snacks rather than eating out of a large bag,” Simpson said.

One tip that Simpson said to live by is to only eat when you are hungry.

Simpson said if a piece of fruit or a healthier snack doesn’t sound appetizing, it is possible that you were not hungry after all.

Emily Gyan, theatre senior, said she avoids unnecessary snacking by eating vegetable-filled salads and pre-packing snacks for studying in the library.

Nutritionists agree that mixing up the colors on your plate is yet another way students can have a more balanced diet, and eating a variety of fruits, vegetables and meats will help in eliminating cravings for junky and fast foods. The key here, they said, is portion control.

Obesity in the U.S. is directly connected to portion sizes being overly generous, according to gastroenterologist Douglas Schwartz, with Arizona Digestive Health. He said the average serving size could be up to 1,400 calories in a single meal. That is almost one and a half times the recommended daily calorie intake of the average college woman.

Schwartz said that making time for smaller and more frequent meals can help reduce overeating as well as eating junk food. Schwartz also recommends including regular fitness into your routine.

Creating a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money on gym memberships or buying the most expensive food items, according to Schwartz.

“Students can bolster their fitness by walking vigorously, biking or taking the stairs,” Schwartz said.