By SAND Member Iris Puthoff
There are many overwhelming aspects of entering college as a first-year student. The dining halls tend to concern many students, as they offer pretty much any type of food that you could ever want (other than a home cooked meal, of course). Those looking to eat healthy should know that there are ways to navigate the dining halls to find healthy food options that allow you to still maintain a balanced diet.
When first getting adjusted to college, it is a good idea to visit each of the dining halls to get familiar with what type of food they offer and at what times of the day. You can check the Miami website for nutrition facts and a list of the food that is offered each day. This can help you to plan for meals and how to schedule them around classes.
Once you make it into the dining hall, it is a good idea to take a full lap and see all the food that is offered that day. If you don’t, it will be easier to keep adding unhealthier food options as you see them. You’ll add some fries to your plate, then see that your favorite pizza is being offered, and then you’ll see those delicious chocolate brownies that “you just have to have” because they are never there. Now don’t get me wrong, it is completely fine to have fries, pizzas, brownies, and anything else you want to eat. For those trying to eat somewhat healthier, however, taking a lap around the dining hall can help prevent piling on the junk food every day.
An easy way to eat healthy at the dining halls is to take advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are nutritionally dense and provide many health benefits. There is a wide array of fruits and vegetables offered, so there is bound to be something you like! My personal favorites are grapes, cantaloupe, green beans, fresh potatoes, cauliflower, and carrots. A quick tip would be to fill your plate up halfway with fruit and vegetables. This is an easy way to make sure you are eating a balanced diet while also preventing you from eating a plate full of greasy dining hall food.
Special diet students can meet with Miami’s dietitian from the Demske Culinary Support Center in Oxford to discuss dining options, such as the allergen stations. These areas not only provide food for special diet students, but also provide a wide range of healthier eating options for all students to enjoy. There are also many vegan and vegetarian options available for students.
One final tip for navigating the dining halls is to have a dinner buddy! It can be hard to find time to sit down and eat a meal in college. Having a dinner buddy can encourage you to go out and eat a full nutritious meal at the end of the day. It can be a great way to unwind, relieve some stress, and have someone to support you in making healthy decisions.
And don’t worry, there’s always room for that brownie on your plate every once in a while.
References:
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/fruit
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/vegetables
When first getting adjusted to college, it is a good idea to visit each of the dining halls to get familiar with what type of food they offer and at what times of the day. You can check the Miami website for nutrition facts and a list of the food that is offered each day. This can help you to plan for meals and how to schedule them around classes.
Once you make it into the dining hall, it is a good idea to take a full lap and see all the food that is offered that day. If you don’t, it will be easier to keep adding unhealthier food options as you see them. You’ll add some fries to your plate, then see that your favorite pizza is being offered, and then you’ll see those delicious chocolate brownies that “you just have to have” because they are never there. Now don’t get me wrong, it is completely fine to have fries, pizzas, brownies, and anything else you want to eat. For those trying to eat somewhat healthier, however, taking a lap around the dining hall can help prevent piling on the junk food every day.
An easy way to eat healthy at the dining halls is to take advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are nutritionally dense and provide many health benefits. There is a wide array of fruits and vegetables offered, so there is bound to be something you like! My personal favorites are grapes, cantaloupe, green beans, fresh potatoes, cauliflower, and carrots. A quick tip would be to fill your plate up halfway with fruit and vegetables. This is an easy way to make sure you are eating a balanced diet while also preventing you from eating a plate full of greasy dining hall food.
Special diet students can meet with Miami’s dietitian from the Demske Culinary Support Center in Oxford to discuss dining options, such as the allergen stations. These areas not only provide food for special diet students, but also provide a wide range of healthier eating options for all students to enjoy. There are also many vegan and vegetarian options available for students.
One final tip for navigating the dining halls is to have a dinner buddy! It can be hard to find time to sit down and eat a meal in college. Having a dinner buddy can encourage you to go out and eat a full nutritious meal at the end of the day. It can be a great way to unwind, relieve some stress, and have someone to support you in making healthy decisions.
And don’t worry, there’s always room for that brownie on your plate every once in a while.
References:
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/fruit
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/vegetables