Dorm-life is a major lifestyle change, often associated with weight gain.

Many first year college students battle the freshman 15. But one college campus is making sure students have the healthiest options possible.

The commons on Augustana's campus offer a smorgasbord of healthy food. From lemon and cucumber water to a huge salad bar, students are being taught how to avoid the extra weight.

“We do teach the students how to eat healthy off of that salad bar,” General Manager of Dining Services Craig Pearson said.

Each tong is color coded.  If it's green, students can load up on the item, have as much as you want. If it's yellow, slow down, that item has more calories. If it's a red tong, eat it sparingly, very sparingly.

“They give you a lot of options so it's easy.  You can eat unhealthy obviously here too, but there's pretty healthy options too,” Augustana Sophomore Heidi Nelson said.

Sophomores Heidi Nelson and Ashley Morin had concerns about gaining weight when they first moved away from home.

“I would say last year it was a lot harder to figure that out because obviously my mom always cooked for me and everything so I know it was good. But here there are so many options,” Morin said.

Healthy and unhealthy, but it's up to every student when it comes to what choice they'll make.  The sophomores say while they haven't gained any weight, they understand how easy it can be.

“You're up late studying and it's just convenient to have a snack,” Morin said.

A lack of exercise, stress and alcohol also play a role in weight gain. But should it really be called the Freshman 15?

“Statistics show that over a seven month period, it's generally about five pounds. But if you keep that pattern going, you end up getting 15 to 20 pounds overweight very quickly over a couple year time period," Pearson said.