Here's one way to fight the freshman fifteen -- no cafeteria trays. Dozens of college campuses across the country are banishing plastic trays to significantly reduce food waste, polluting detergents and save on water and energy.

Officials from one trayless campus report students are chowing down less. Makes sense, it's tough enough to juggle a couple plates of food, a drink, sit down and eat it, then saunter back in line for seconds. Perhaps by then 20 minutes has elapsed, about the time needed for a stomach to yell to the brain, "You're full! Don't you dare get back in line!" Students can no longer reach for the corner of the tray and spoon into the butterscotch pudding with crushed cookies on top.

Trayless dining is a terrific idea. Beyond the green benefits, perhaps it will teach moderation at the grand buffet of 'em all, the college cafeteria. Poor athletes, I'll never forget the piles of food and drink University of Iowa football players hauled in on a single tray -- 10 glasses of fruit punch, soda and milk, three entrees and two desserts. As for all those lonely, slick food-haulers, my past Hawkeye days revealed they're rocket-fast on unsanctioned sledding hills!