Tater tots. Calzones. Perogies. Bacon. Kraft Dinner. Bacon. White cheddar Kraft Dinner. Bacon. Perogie meat lovers pizza. Chicken strips. Did I mention bacon?
Eating well at university is a challenge, especially when you’re living in residence and the cafeteria offers BACON every morning. When you walk into the cafeteria at eight in the morning, dreading Anthropology 100 and regretting watching “Family Guy” until 3 AM, and there’s a plate of fluffy waffles dripping with strawberry syrup prepared for your speedy consumption, you’re not going to hold up your hand and say, “Not today. It’s Raisin Bran for me.”
You won’t wake up and beeline it to the caf for a nice steaming bowl of bowel-regulating oatmeal or, as my roommate puts it, “mush.” After a three hour night lecture, you’re not going to drag yourself three minutes from your dorm for a wilted spinach salad. I’m basically just illustrating my own life here, but let me tell you: those burgers and yam fries will catch up to you. As teens going on twenty-somethings, we might have fast metabolisms, but we cannot fully resist the powers of the trans fat.
I’ve never been one to watch what I eat. But when your body is under stress and craving calories to feed your industrious little brain, you’re going to consume roughly the same amount of food as a small horse. Or not eat at all, which is also something to look out for. Or you’ll be one of those lucky ones who eats as they always have and don’t experience any significant changes.
Regardless, the “freshman fifteen” isn’t that far-fetched. It happens more often than not, but, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very manageable with moderation. Eat your greens. Try to avoid pizza for dinner every night. Watch out for beer. Sign up for an exercise class twice a week (they’re cheap!). Eat with other people! I found that I was less inclined to frequent the burger stand when I had a gym buddy who preferred the surprisingly diverse salad bar.
Also, I found that once I moved out of residence and into a house with other people, I ate healthy, balanced meals more frequently. Cooking together is a great way to ensure healthy meals for everyone. Plus it’s fun to figure out different recipes and discover your hidden enthusiasm for zucchini.
Another tip: meat is expensive. There are other great ways to get protein, like quinoa, tofu (I know, I know, but lightly fried it’s super tasty), and almond butter.
There are many online recipes for students as well, such as www.studentrecipes.com.
Ok and I’ll say it: I eat oatmeal almost every morning now. Quaker Oats Peaches and Cream is the bomb.
~Nadia Grutter
