We surveyed a few campus students to find out how they feel about the food choices on campus. Here is what they had to say:
Me: Do you think our campus is promoting unhealthy habits?
Student1: “I do think that our campus promotes unhealthy habits because the only healthy option that they have in the campus center is a salad bar that closes way earlier than the other unhealthy foods”.
Student 2: “I mean the campus center does have that salad place and jazzman’s which offers salads and sushi which is pretty cool… but I also feel like they could do a lot more to actually promote healthy food. Just because those places exist doesn’t mean that many people know about them”.
Me: How do you feel about the lack of healthy food vendors in the new campus center extension coming fall 2017?
Student 3: “I think it’s about time! (ha, ha). They’ve been building that place for months now. I am excited about the Starbucks though. I think out of everything they’ve only added one extra salad place. That’s not good you know but then again who really makes the effort to eat healthy in college”.
Me: What do you think the University can do to promote healthier eating habits on campus?
Student 4: “They can definitely start by offering more low-calorie meal option in both the dining halls and in the campus center, a lot of that stuff is fried too! Maybe some more grilled options too. I feel that the university can get creative in making healthy foods appealing to students. Adding a frozen yogurt spot or a fruit salad place can be options to make healthy food fun on campus”.
Everyone has heard of the freshman 5 and if you haven’t it is when freshman gain an extra 5 pounds their first year in college, however, that freshman 5 can quickly become the junior 25. As the university continues to promote unhealthy eating habits and include sugary and greasy foods in the campus center and dining halls they are also encouraging things such as obesity, and diabetes. Obesity and diabetes are main concerns but are less likely than the direct and immediate effects of eating unhealthy such as laziness, sluggish behavior, and gluttony. We need change!