Being a full time student for three years has taught me about the various challenges that come with trying to eat healthy on campus. The amazing pizza snaps, unlimited sushi and more free pizza at club events are only a few of the foods that are hard for me to resist. At the end of my freshman year, I realized I was not happy with my eating habits as I was barely incorporating any fruits or vegetables into my diet. Beginning sophomore year, I decided to try a month of healthy eating in the cafeteria. That month I not only felt healthier, but I also realized the incredible healthy options the cafeteria provides for us students. Because of this, I began writing down meal ideas that were both healthy and appetizing. As students, we are constantly in a rush, looking for foods that are convenient and satisfy our appetite. Below I have written down some tips on how to navigate the Beren Campus Cafeteria in a healthy way that is both delicious and nutritious!
- Say Yes to Whole Grain: Whether you are eating a bagel for breakfast, or making a panini for lunch, eating whole grain bread over white bread will provide you with more nutrients and help you stay fuller longer. On Wednesdays, I love making an Avocado Panini. I place half of an avocado, one mozzarella stick and some tomatoes in two whole wheat slices of bread.
- The Salad Bar: The salad bar is a fantastic section of the Stern cafeteria. The salad bar includes a variety of fruits and vegetables and lean proteins such as tuna or grilled chicken. Salads are a great source of nutrients and can help one feel full and light at the same time. If creating salads stresses you out, the cafeteria has pre-made salads available for lunch and dinner. The salads include feta cheese salad, salmon salad and chicken salad.
- Snacks: Picking healthy snacks can be challenging when rushing to class. Eating one to two snacks per day can curb one’s hunger and help a person feel more energized throughout the day. When choosing a snack, try to pick options that include both a protein and a carbohydrate. Some healthy ideas for snacks are an apple and peanut butter, a bag of popcorn and a cheese stick or an apple and a yogurt.
Being healthy in college can be hard, but it is very manageable! The cafeteria provides so many healthy delicious options. While there are only three tips listed above, there are obviously many more ways to be healthy when choosing a meal in the cafeteria. Look out for upcoming Nutrition Club events which will help teach more ways to incorporate healthy living into the college experience on the Beren Campus!