Eating well on a college campus

kkjay
kkjay Posts: 62
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I live on campus and there are three dining halls to choose from, but two are only open certain times. I find it challenging to find healthy foods to eat, especially without getting sick of them within a week since its the same things. I go to a smaller school, so there aren't as many options as there are at other schools I've seen.

One dining hall has attempted to promote healthier eating by instituting a red-yellow-green light system based on calories. However, I have yet to actually see any foods considered “healthy” or a green light, even the salads and sandwiches they prepare. I always get fruit, sandwiches and chicken if they have it. I only drink water and occasionally milk/OJ for breakfast.

At another I completely avoid the fried food section and usually only go for the fruits/sandwiches, but it's getting repetitive fast and the meat is so processed I don't think it's really that good for anyone and tastes...bleh. I was also surprised to find the yogurt they sell is 200 calories, so I buy my own now. I also work here, so I see how most of the food is prepared and know how unhealthy it can be(and how many calories it is).

I don't live in a suite with a kitchen, so all I have available is a microwave. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has ideas on foods or how I could change it up. I am a college student, so I don't have endless amounts of money to spend buying food, especially since healthier food seems to cost more sometimes. I manage to stay within my calorie limits and am losing weight, but eating similar things day after day is getting boring and I need to stay motivated! Anyone having similar problems?

Replies

  • MaegyS
    MaegyS Posts: 9 Member
    Hi! I too live on a small college campus. I am having some of the same issues. Dining halls are limited and I only have a microwave. I've been trying to avoid the obvious things now, like cutting the red meat and stopped snacking into the night. I tried to buy some fruit for myself in the room but it gets expensive and most of the times it goes bad before I am able to eat it. Our dining halls also try to focus on a local, natural food source but there's always grilled cheese and fries. It also seems like they don't actually put too much effort into the fruits and vegetables, but sometimes they have a stand with healthier options but it isn't always open when the dining hall is.

    I just wanted to let you know you are not alone! I am finding it difficult to find food here on campus but I have been struggling to stay to a diet (it's the fried foods!). If you have any tips I would love to know!
  • kkjay
    kkjay Posts: 62
    It is so hard it seems to try and find good foods since even the healthy options aren't that healthy! I don't know about any tips... But I just try and stay away from fried foods and stick to sandwiches and fruits. If I want to have something else I just make sure to keep my portions under control. I found out the mozzarella sticks alone (which I've never eaten) are 860 calories and this healthy appearing flatbread is at least 600, neither being good for you anyways. So I guess if you have to eat something that isn't that good, at least try and not eat too much of it. Wish I could be more help but I'm having a similar problem haha.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I'm going to school part time and if your student union food choices are as bad as ours, I definitely feel for you. I don't have a lot of great ideas because it's been a long time since I've had to use just a microwave to cook for just me but my suggestion would be to do a search on the web for something like: healthy microwave recipes. I found these sites with a quick perusal:

    http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,healthy_microwave_meals,FF.html
    http://allrecipes.com/recipes/everyday-cooking/campus-cooking/microwave/
    http://www.food.com/recipes/microwave
  • kkjay
    kkjay Posts: 62
    Thanks! I'll have to try them.
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