The excitement of your first year of college comes with a side of fear—fear of gaining the infamous freshman fifteen. The mandatory freshman meal plan, which includes unlimited meal swipes and $150 Dooley Dollars, can make it difficult to find health dining options. Taking advantage of the unlimited meal swipes at late-night at the DUC, or using your Dooley Dollars to consume all-you-can-eat Chick-Fil-A or Pizza Hut is no way to avoid the freshman fifteen. But don’t worry, HCE has got you covered.
Dining at Dobbs (DUC)
Walk into the DUC and you’re immediately confronted with tons of different options, ranging from pizza to made-to-order stir fry. With you’re unlimited swipes, it’s hard not to try everything.
It’s tempting to grab that slice of delicious
-looking (but really not that great) slice of pizza when it’s the first thing you see when you walk in. Focus on the nutrients you need, and design your meal around that. Head to the grill and grab some grilled chicken and vegetables. Vegetarian? The salad bar and stir fry stations both have tofu. If the sandwich line is too long, head over to the bread lane and make yourself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Three Things to Avoid:
1. The waffle maker
2. Dessert station
3. French Fries
COX
Cox is a great alternative to (or altogether replacement for) the DUC—the food is significantly better, the options are healthier, and the lines are shorter. There are pre-made meals for students on-the-go, and you can always just grab an apple between classes as a snack. But of course, there are popular fast-food stations as well,
including Pizza Hut and Chick-Fil-A.
Stear clear of Chick-Fil-A and Pizza Hut, and head for the sushi, salad bar, or most student’s favorite—Boar’s Head Deli to build your own sandwich (but beware, those chips are really addicting).
Three Things to Avoid:
1. Fast Food
2. Fried Chinese Takeout
3. Sweet Tooth Cravings—the Krispy Kreme’s can be very tempting.
Zaya’s
This Mediterranean restaurant on campus serves many epicurean dishes, ffrom fresh falafel and Chicken Shwarma to traditional American cuisine. Open until 2am, Zaya looks really good when you’re headed back to
your dorm after a night out on the row. Zaya uses fresh ingredients and compliments them with wonderful flavor.
Three Things to Avoid:
1. Classic American Diner Meals
2. Their classic American breakfast options at 2am
3. The pints of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream
Einstein’s
We all love Einstein’s—especially when we need some bread on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday morning. But
these delicious bagels do nothing for you nutritionally. And the pre-made salads and sandwiches can be deceiving.
Three Things to Avoid:
1. High-calorie toppings
2. Bagel Poppers
3. High sodium salads and sandwiches
College changes eating habits. You have to adjust. Explore the food Emory offers (and definitely check out the farmer’s market every Tuesday), but make healthy choices. The key to enjoying your meals and staying fit is moderation and flexibility. Don’t kill yourself if you give in to your Krispy Kreme craving—just don’t make a habit out of it.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Emory chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.