As busy college students, it can often be a struggle to find the time, space or money to prepare healthy, delicious meals every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Luckily, UNC offers some great dining options to choose from when you’re on the go and the hunger pains strike.
While some of your favorite menu items can be yummy and convenient, they also have the potential to be disastrous to your waistline. Not to worry! Here are a few suggestions you can reference whenever you find yourself in line at Alpine or headed to the Agora for late-night (grilled cheese, anyone?). Stay fueled and fit with these quick picks next time your stomach starts to growl.
Alpine Bagel Café
Pick It!
Hint: When selecting your bagel, choose whole-wheat varieties for added protein and fiber!
Rise N Shine-358 calories, 8.7 g fat.
Sometimes, less is more. Perfect any time of the day, this tasty sandwich consists of simply an egg on a bagel of your choice.
Pilgrim’s Pride-331 calories, 2 g fat.
Get beyond the Thanksgiving-themed name. This bagel is delicious year-round and is piled with turkey, lettuce, tomato and other veggies of your choosing. Gobble, Gobble!
Skip It!
Hint: Avoid greasy, calorie-laden condiments such as mayonnaise, cheese and creamy sauces whenever possible. These can often pack an extra 50-100 calories.
Cali Club-691 calories, 32 g fat.
The bacon, cheese, avocado and mayo make this bad-boy a dieter’s worst nightmare. If you must indulge with some of this Cali-style goodness every once in a while, save half for later.
Chick, Chick, Chicken Salad-524 calories, 21.3 g fat.
Chicken Salad is a repeat offender for having a healthy rep, while boasting some startling nutritional stats. Steer clear of this mayonnaise-laden sandwich, and try making your own chicken salad with fat-free mayonnaise or some plain Greek yogurt.
Dining Halls-Lenoir and Rams Head
For some, one of the most enticing aspects of college is being able to make your own choices, especially when it comes to what you eat. However, it’s easy to go overboard when faced with a plethora of delicious foods. Carolina Dining Services has come up with a 500 Calorie Plate so that you can plan what to eat before you even step foot in the dining hall. Knowing exactly what foods you will seek out for your meal can be an essential step to preventing mindless grazing. Here is an idea of what is recommended — and what to avoid — from CDS.
Pick It
Cajun Grilled Chicken Breast, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Collard and Corn on the Cob-344 calories.
Pulled Pork BBQ, Macaroni and Cheese, Spicy Southern Greens-412 calories
Skip It
Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers and Hot Dogs-Any of these processed, high-fat foods are okay in moderation, but avoid making them a part of your daily routine. The starchy buns provide unnecessary calories, and red meat is often high in sodium, which could leave you bloated and lethargic. Opt for veggie burgers or black bean burgers, and try them bunless or as lettuce wraps.
Penne Cacciatore, Toasted Ravioli-These pastas are loaded with cheese and cream-based sauces. If possible, look for whole-wheat pasta options and pick tomato or marinara sauces over alfredo, pesto or other creamy choices.
The Agora
Pick It!
Fish Tacos-208 calories, 7 g fat
With only roughly 200 calories per taco, you can enjoy two of them for a filling meal that’s less than 400 calories. Not to mention, fish is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which help improve your mood and memory.
Spicy Black Bean Burger-120 calories, 4 g fat
Get creative here. Top your black bean burger with salsa, avocado, a slice or two of cheese, and you still have a meal that’s delicious, high in protein and figure-friendly. You won’t even miss the meat!
Skip It!
Grilled Cheese Sandwich-670 calories, 46 g fat
Shocked to see how high the calorie count can be for a seemingly innocent childhood (and adult) favorite? Blame it on the added amounts of butter, oil and — obviously — cheese. Try stocking the fridge in your room with whole-wheat tortillas and string cheese for a home-made “healthified” version of a grilled cheese, next time the craving hits.
Soft-Serve Ice Cream Cone-200 calories, 12 g fat (based on ½ cup serving)
Soft Serve is often understood to be a healthier alternative to ice cream. While it does have less calories and fat than the real stuff, it should still be consumed as an occasional treat. Additionally, it is difficult to stick to a ½ cup serving size, so you can bet that the amount of soft serve with which you fill your bowl is almost double its serving size.
Sources
http://www.dining.unc.edu/500CaloriePlate.aspx
http://www.alpinebagels.com/nutritional.html
http://www.calorieking.com/
http://granvilletowers.com/dining.php?cat=4
Alpine Bagel (photo): http://www2.qsrmagazine.com/articles/ones_to_watch/118/alpine-1.phtml
Dining Hall (photo)
http://www.princeton.edu/facilities/info/dining/residential/locate/whit/Whitman_0199_w3.jpg
Dining Hall (photo)
http://www.princeton.edu/facilities/info/dining/residential/locate/whit/Whitman_0199_w3.jpg
Black Bean Burger (photo)
http://simpledailyrecipes.com/855/deluxe-black-bean-burgers/
Alpine Bagel (photo): http://www2.qsrmagazine.com/articles/ones_to_watch/118/alpine-1.phtml