College Student dependent on Cafeteria Food

Noley100

College has taken it's toll on me-in the form of thirty pounds in two years. I want to eat healthier, but I'm limited to what I can eat because I have to eat in the cafeteria. A typical list of options on any given day includes pizza, french fries, fried food to go with the french fries, a "healthier" option, often a meat that has been processed or frozen and reheated, a starch, a "vegetarian" option, which is usually starch mixed with a small amount of veggies in a white or other fatty sauce, and a choice of two vegetables, which have usually either come from a can or are overcooked. The only other option we have is the salad/sandwich bar, but I went to make a salad at both lunch and dinner today, and the only options they gave us aside from lettuce was shredded carrots, cucumbers, cheese, celery, green bell pepper, and WHOLE jalapenos. WHOLE ones. What kind of salad can you make from that? So in result I skipped the salad bar and went for the less healthier options.

Any advice for a college student with no disposable income, trying to eat healthy, and avoid a lot of starch?

taramaureen

The salad bar actually sounds OKish...I'd go with one starch option from the main line and then a big salad. It's not much but it's healthier.

mmoonstars

does your college have a way to provide feedback to the food people?

We had Bon Apetit for catering/food at my college and they had a board that you could write on a napkin on with feedback/suggestions. You also had the option of emailing the head chef/manager.

Also maybe don't discount the less healthy option if you can pull off the breading or do a controlled portion?
Does your school put out a menu ahead of time so that you can plan or pre budget your calories on MFP?

Hope these ideas help!

celticcateyes

Can you eat from both the salad bar and the regular food for a decent price? The recommendation I have given undergrads (and other individuals eating in a cafeteria) is to fill half your plate with salad/veggies, then the other half with other food options. Picking the lowest calorie options from things like pizza is still important too. Also, avoid ADDING in calories (high-fat dressing, ect).

mmj1115

This is my first year in college, and I also am dependent on cafeteria food. I suggest eating off the salad bar every day, at least before your main meal. Eat a salad, or fruits and veggies, first; then if you are still hungry go onto other food. One trick I like to use is if I'm still hungry I get another glass of milk or juice, it's a great filler with a healthier alternative! We can be accountability partners, and make sure we are both eating healthy in a non healthy environment!

EmilyTwist1

I'm also in college, living on campus, so I understand what you're going through. First off, if your school has more than one cafeteria, check them all out, as they might have different offerings. Find out if they post the menus for the week online (my school does that). This can help with knowing when they're serving healthier foods/foods you like, and they might even post nutritional information. I've come to accept that while I'm on campus, I won't be able to eat the healthiest foods, but canned vegetables and frozen meat are better than fries and pizza. You could also try talking to someone at the school and see if they can change up the menu options to add healthier foods more often. If that doesn't work, see if you can find others at your school who feel the same way and get a petition going.

Noley100

We used to have a feedback board, but they just took it down within the last week. It's really unfortunate, because sometimes it did actually seem like they were listening to your requests.

We have the food options online, but they were never accurate last year. Since we have someone new in charge of food services, I suppose it can't hurt to look. Although looking right now, they didn't post much that was accurate for yesterday.

It's hard to eat in the cafeteria when everything there is either unhealthy or unappetizing. I try, though, but when the best food they have is the worst food for you, it's even more difficult.