The Logistics of the College Diet

            Amongst college students, there is a trope known as the Freshman 15 in which first-year students gain about fifteen pounds. The causes for this weight gain are varied but there is no doubt at least one is inherently tied to the food college students are eating. But what does this situation look like at Johnson & Wales?

            A survey of students currently enrolled at the university gives an incredible amount of insight into this question. A big factor in the decision of what to eat comes down to scheduling. 64.7% of respondents feel that having enough time to eat depends on the day in which the outcome can vary drastically. If a student only has the fifteen minutes between classes, their only option is grab and go meals, which is either sushi or something microwaveable. Because of time constraints, there is almost no time whatsoever to sit down and eat said microwaveable meal—let alone actually having access to a microwave.

            Another major indicator of these eating habits comes down to preference; are the students actually enjoying the food that is served? Survey results indicate that almost half (47.1%) of the students outright do not like the food that is being given to them and when you don’t like the food, you just don’t eat it. One student even admitted, “It’s gotten better but it’s still not really worth a meal plan most of the time.” With meal plans being the primary source of food for students on campus, what other options are there? Most college students (even those with part-time jobs) don’t have enough disposable income to spend on restaurants or other fast food. And unless the student has a kitchen or other method of cooking, groceries aren’t very practical either.

            Finally, on the subject of healthy options, the majority of students who responded feel that the food served is only sometimes healthy enough for them, 58.8% to be exact. But this concept has mixed reviews as some students believe there are healthy options but because they make up one or two out of the five options, the food is still unhealthy overall. Others think the options are generally healthy but there is not much in the way of accommodations for dietary restrictions, particularly during lunch or dinner rushes and for grab and go meals. Regardless of the theories, one concept is for certain: students need healthy meal options.

            All in all, the logistics of a college student’s diet are a myriad of intersecting systems that must learn to work together to function properly. Between busy student schedules and the available options on or off campus, maintaining a balanced diet and healthy eating habits becomes nearly impossible. But the situation doesn’t have to be so bleak; there are solutions—if only temporary. On busier days, students could pack a few snacks to nibble on throughout the day until there is time for a meal. Best recommendations would be foods with a low caloric density so as to feel fuller on less food. Examples include fresh fruit, lean meats (like turkey jerky), and veggies with hummus.

            Let’s face it: college is difficult. Homework, extracurriculars, and personal social lives provide enough stress to manage. Isn’t it about time we get a break with our diet?