Last year when I walked into the dining hall for the very first time, I was star struck. Never-ending fruit bar, croissants and warm chocolate chip cookies, Sunday morning omelets and the oh-so-delicious mac n’ cheese night…There were so many options, and yet I quickly realized—as I’m sure everyone else has, too—that BC students stick pretty religiously to three main food groups: non-fat, plain greek yogurt, salad, and grilled chicken. The health culture at Boston College is impossible to miss, especially with people running back and forth from the Plex, taking the Million Dollar Stairs instead of the Maloney elevator, and skipping meals or counting calories. The obsession is so addictive and contagious that even professors remark on the intensity of the BC student when it comes to diet and exercise.
Given the importance of healthy eating, it is important to note a few discrepancies within the BC diet of yogurt, salad, and chicken. Most importantly, this diet is screaming for variety! Eating the same few things consistently leaves your body lacking essential nutrients and vitamins that you simply can’t obtain from eating from just one or two food groups.
The Federal Drug and Food Administration proposes a few nutrition guidelines that can help you shape your plate a little better as you navigate those twisting and growing lines in Lower (or any other dining hall on campus). When you look at your plate, about half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables, a quarter of your plate should be protein, and a quarter of your plate should be carbs—whole grains when possible. In addition to this, it is beneficial to drink a glass of water with your meal, and to maintain calcium levels by drinking milk and consuming other dairy products.
The Office of Health Promotion and the nutrition-specializing Health Coaches promote these guidelines on campus with clever tag lines that are easy to remember and easy to share with your friends. Some of them include, “Make half your grains whole,” and “Go lean with protein.” They also encourage students to make their plates as colorful and diverse as possible, offering a more satisfying meal. Look out for their signs in every dining hall that offer entertaining and helpful tips and tricks for creating the perfect meal. Add some color to your plate, eat all things in moderation, and keep in mind that variety is key to a truly healthy diet! Don’t be afraid to break the BC diet mold and find your own way to healthy.
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