Whether you are a freshman with on-campus housing and a dining plan or a senior in your own apartment, healthy eating at college is achievable and it doesn't need to involve deprivation or dieting.

• Make room for fruit: Most campus dining halls offer a variety of whole fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, and oranges as well as cut fruits like melon and berries. Add cut fruit to your salad, a bowl of yogurt or cereal or, for a sweet treat, pile berries onto a small bowl of frozen yogurt for dessert. Grab a few pieces of whole fruit to take with you as a simple and healthy snack on the go or in your dorm or apartment.

• Expand your horizons: Most dining halls offer an all-you-can-eat meal plan. Instead of overindulging use the opportunity to try new, healthy foods your may not have had before. Experiment with unsweetened milk alternatives like almond and coconut milk, whole grains and vegetables that are new to you.

• Mix and match: Grab the entrée of the day like a piece of grilled chicken or even a slice of pizza and pair it with a salad instead of sides like butter-laden veggies or french fries. You can even ask for a plain piece of chicken or steamed vegetables and make it tastier by heading to the pasta station for some tomato sauce to use as a topping.

• Bring your own: Sure, the dining hall is free but that doesn’t mean you can't supplement what is offered with your own food. Bring a handful of nuts to add to your salad. And if the dressings that are offered are not great you can bring that with you as well.

• Cook! A sure-fire way to eat well and save some money is to use your kitchen. Avoiding processed foods is important to a healthy lifestyle. Instead of eating a meal from a box, experiment in the kitchen. Create simple, healthy recipes and don’t be afraid of making too much. Leftovers mean meals for days to come.

• Eat Less Meat: Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. Grains, beans and rice are inexpensive staples that can easily act as the main component of a meal. Add fresh or frozen vegetables and simple seasonings are you have good-for-you grub on a college budget.

• Limit the Junk: The less junk food you have hanging around your apartment or dorm room, the better. Here are some simple foods to keep on hand to satisfy snacking cravings.

Katie Cavuto Boyle, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian, personal chef and owner of HealthyBites, LLC. See Katie's full bio »