The student body of Wash. U. is as diverse as any, so it’s no surprise the dining options on campus follow suit. Yes, I too, am often bored with the menus that never change (except for price increases that is), but I acknowledge that Bon Appétit at least tries to offer the vast majority of what college kids like to eat.
The problem, unfortunately, is that what we like to eat is rarely what we should eat. You’ve probably heard that you should “read the labels.” Well I’ve read them, or at least a lot of them, and let me say I found some pretty shocking facts about the food on campus. A few tips and insights:
Who doesn’t love a tasty breakfast burrito to start the day off right?
Well, your heart for one, as just one of these has more than twice the recommended daily amount of cholesterol, as well as your full dose of both saturated fat and sodium. Of course you do get half your calcium, but couldn’t you just drink a couple glasses of milk instead?
For lunch, you’re probably heading to the Danforth University Center (DUC). Well, something tells me the food there and in the old Mallinckrodt food court are about equal in how healthy they are, which is to say not very. Subway (while it’s still here at least) is a great alternative, as it’s both pleasing to the taste buds and the body. Get a foot long turkey on honey oat bread, add American cheese, toast it, and ooh-la-la. There’ve been more than a few times when the thought of that sandwich has been the only thing that’s kept me sane during a mind-numbingly boring morning lecture.
Now here’s a scary thought: one single brownie (yes, those tiny things) has about as much fat as 35 apples. Thirty-five! Seriously, why would you even think about something like that, especially when you’ll probably wind up having an apple anyway after you finish your brownie and realize you’re still hungry? If you absolutely must have something sweet, try a low fat muffin. Chocolate chip, cinnamon pecan, apple cinnamon or the just-debuted coconut…I’m getting hungry just thinking about them. Oh, and they taste as good as (if not better than) bran, blueberry and the like, all of which are loaded with fat and calories.
Finally, for dinner, just don’t eat. Rather, don’t get something you know is terrible for you just because you can. Is a double-cheeseburger with bacon and mayo really going to taste that much better than, say, a hamburger with lettuce and tomato on it? Must you get tortilla chips with your fajita or quesadilla, or wouldn’t rice and beans be just as filling?
And finally, one last word of warning. Never, and I repeat never, eat one of those pre-packaged peanut butter and jelly sandwiches sold in Bear Mart. They are (with the exception of a full order of chicken tenders) the single most unhealthy things on campus. That tiny little sandwich, the one you grab for a “light” dinner, has an unreal 1,333 calories and your entire day’s worth of fat.
I don’t have the faintest idea how something like this is possible, but to think I used to eat them at least once a week is just sickening.
Well that’s about it, though of course I’ve only just scratched the surface. It isn’t all there on Bon Appétit’s Web site, but you can at least get an idea.
Again, I don’t want to play the role of nagging mother here, but it always pains me to see people kill themselves in the gym because they think it’s the only way to avoid gaining weight, when there’s always a much easier option right there in front of them. Of course exercise is always highly recommended, but just ask yourself this: Is it really worth running an hour-and-a-half just to burn off one measly PB & J sandwich? I don’t think so either.
By the way, this concludes my “meddlesome advice” columns for now. Next time I’ll humbly try to force my political views upon you, or something like that.
Brian is a sophomore in Arts & Sciences and a staff columnist. He can be reached via e-mail at brprice@wustl.edu.
Be the first to comment on this article!