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FEATURED ARTICLES           Wednesday, September 08, 2010                                Email to a Friend

Campus Eating Know-How:

With Some Help from the Experts

Stephanie Herold

Which resident student has not heard the following familiar grumblings at their native mess hall: “This food sucks”, “I’m not satisfied”, “Who wants to grab a shawarma?”

Bad taste, ill nutrition, and overall dissatisfaction are considered by many to be hallmarks of the campus food experience. Dining halls grapple with the challenge of satisfying students of diverse tastes everyday, people who live off-campus often don’t know what to cook, and fast food outlets can offer very unhealthy food and get pretty expensive to eat at all the time.

The campus eating experience has not been completely ignored; food providers such as Sodexho are making strides to serve local fresh produce, for some people chicken wings and canned pineapple does not a meal make, and fat food eateries such as Subway offer lower fat options. Still, however, the role of each student in their own food destiny cannot be ignored. If we’re unhappy, what can we do?

Registered Dietitian Ellen Desjardins M.H.Sc., spoke about the challenges of Canadians eating today at the Women’s Health Forum and Expo on January 18th. She identified many ways for all of us to eat better, some easily adaptable or specifically targeted at students. My favourite of her mantras was, “Don’t be a passive victim.” This sums up the main point of her lecture; take an active role in what you eat.

What you put in your body does affect you, and if you’re unhappy with how you’re eating after you’ve left home or started commuting, it’s up to you to take matters into your own hands. Don’t be afraid, food is not threatening- it’s usually even dead. Remember, one of the worst things that can happen in the kitchen is that you’ll end up with bad food, which is still probably better for you and would cost less than a bacon cheeseburger meal. Below are some tips to keep in mind when you’re eating at school.

1. Think about what you want to eat for the week… “Think about what you’d like to eat for each meal during the week…and then buy six cans of tuna or whatever you like.” The point is to think ahead. Desjardins suggests going to the grocery store with some friends, and stocking up on things you’re actually going to eat during the week. Do not just grab random selections and put them in your cart because they look kind of yummy (I love pomegranate seed salsa!…Is that marshmallow spread? I can’t believe they even still make that...*plunk*). In addition, try to think of what you want from the food groups listed in Canada’s Food Guide; protein, dairy products, vegetables/fruits, and the food group affectionately known as carbs. Buy something to fulfill the guidelines of a balanced diet.

2. Make big batches of simple foods... “Try to stay away from packaged food…instead get a can of beans, some tomatoes and maybe meat, and make a stew.” Desjardin’s point is to make simple food yourself out of fresh or frozen ingredients, and make a lot of it when you do. That way you won’t have to adopt the crusty persona of the “Iron Chef” every night. This will also curb your reliance on packaged food, which is often unhealthy and expensive. Have a chili week, or adopt some camel style and store it for later. Either way, that’s another meal you know you’re eating healthily at and not paying too much for.

3. Get A Lunch Bag, and Graze…“Don’t let yourself get to the point where you’re starving,” says Desjardins. She suggests packing such snacks as whole wheat crackers, hard-boiled eggs, trail mix, and fruits. Some of her favourite snacks are nuts. She says any kind will do, with peanuts winning points for their superior cheapness, and in my opinion, skeezy bar appeal. She says not to worry about the fat content of nuts. They contain healthy plant oils, and are full of fibre. Plus they’ll fill you up and prevent you from binging later (on things like marshmallow paste).

4. Traditional “Treats” are not Treats... In the question and answer period of Desjardins’ talk, a spectator asked her which treats (ie. often over-processed, packaged junk food) were best to indulge in. Desjardins’ answer was simple: “Those kinds of foods are not treats for your body!” She explained that your body does not enjoy having to cope with all those extra saturated fats, and calories. If you want a real treat, change the way you think of this word, and eat something good for your body. Feeling good after your meal will become the treat, even if it does seem cheesy. If you want a treat for your taste buds and body, try to please both with some fruit, flavoured yogurt, or any type of creative snack (except for not fluffer spread on yesterday’s muffins).

So put aside your notions of Hell’s Kitchen, and baby sized food practically garnished with a tutu. Find what healthy foods you like to eat, and get a hold of them. You are what you eat; eat well, and be well.

Other Healthy and Filling Snack Options as Recommended by Ellen…(get out your grocery list)

“Hummus, guacamole (both can be made at home cheaply, and because they contain lemon juice, they last quite long), low fat cheese, bananas, coleslaw, noodle soup packages, peanut butter, tomato j uice, canned bean salad (in oil & vinegar dressing - it's delicious). Also tofu is sold in wonderful flavours these days that are designed for snacking. All these foods you can eat lots of, without feeling guilty”!

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