As college students, we seem to always be hungry and short on time. Thankfully, UCI has a plethora of options on campus as well as being conveniently located next to the UTC shopping center which adds even more variety. However, this is both a blessing and a curse. As someone who has vowed to make 2018 the year of a healthier me, I never thought that the hardest part in this transformation would be what I was eating. Originally I imagined my biggest barrier would be snapping myself out of a Netflix-induced stupor to get up to exercise, but despite how much you may work out, diet is the most important aspect in converting to a healthy lifestyle. Sadly as someone who has to run from class to class on a daily basis, it is always so tempting to just grab some Taco Bell instead of hunting down a healthy option at one of the dining hall stations. If you are someone who cannot avoid choosing fast food over alternative sources there are still some options at your favorite restaurants that will not completely derail your fitness efforts.
The holy grail of UTC is of course In-N-Out, a California staple and local hotspot. Now I am just as guilty as anyone in having my fair share of midnight burger cravings, but there is an amazing alternative to curb a burger fix while also cutting out a lot of unnecessary calories. After going to lunch with one of my best friends, who has a gluten allergy, she divulged her love of the “protein style” hamburger to me. Available on In-N-Out’s not-so-secret menu, it is essentially everything that comes in a regular burger minus the buns. Instead of bread it is sandwiched between pieces of lettuce which helps decrease your intake in refined sugar as well as carbs. To make the deal even better, its only 240 calories.
If burgers are not your thing, maybe you’ll prefer to eat more chicken. While chicken may seem like the obvious option when choosing to eat healthier, Chick-fil-A is not as healthy as you may think. I have fallen prey to this logic until I realizing that everything is practically deep-fried. On top of this, one package of dipping sauce can range from 45 to 140 calories. If you want that chicken, however, opt for the grilled chicken nuggets with Zesty Buffalo sauce. The grilled nuggets not only take away excess fat from being deep fried, but once again the carbs are taken out of the equation since it is not a chicken sandwich. Why the buffalo sauce out of all of the options? It’s overall the healthiest choice with only 50 calories a packet. The other sauces are much higher in calories, sugar and fat.
For Chinese food lovers, the Panda Express on campus is usually the go-to as evident by being the restaurant that is always completely packed. Sadly, Asian fast food usually comes hand-in-hand with being high in sugar, salt, and calories. Therefore, the healthiest entree option is the string bean chicken which is relatively low in calories, 190 calories per serving, and also provides 14 grams of protein. However, getting only one entree might leave one hungry so instead of adding a side of white rice or chow mein, try out brown rice and mixed veggies. The brown rice provides more fiber and is full of the nutrients that’s usually stripped out of white rice.
Lastly, Wendy’s has always been a favorite pit stop of mine. Bringing up childhood memories of my mother buying me a chocolate Frosty with fries after acing a test or project, I tend to gravitate towards there when I’m hungry. Conveniently in the UCI food court, it may seem that Wendy’s is the healthiest out of them all as it offers a multitude of salad options. However, do not be fooled as not all salads are as healthy as they seem. The biggest health killer in salads are the dressings which are usually packed with sugar and calories. On top of this, I never feel completely satisfied after eating what is essentially a bucket full of lettuce. Instead of grabbing a salad, Wendy’s chili is the best option. Not only is it a great source of protein because of the meat and beans, but the large size is still only 250 calories. This choice will keep you full while also erasing the guilt that comes along with ordering anything in the largest size.
Fast food is so popular because it provides a quick and usually cheap solution to our hunger pains. Despite the healthier options available, it is not the end of the world if you are in a time crunch. The main takeaway is to be more mindful of what you choose to eat compared to what is available. Most fast food restaurants have all of their nutritional information either on the menus or online. While waiting in line, be sure to take a glance to see which items fit into your meal plan and go from there. However, don’t try force yourself to get that lettuce wrapped burger if all you desperately want is a double double with fries. In that case, indulge and enjoy your cheat meal but skip out on the drink. The easiest way to get off track is by drinking your calories. Sodas, juices, and shakes are high in sugar, sodium, and fat and also fail to make you feel satiated. If all else fails, just get what your heart desires as long as you wash it down with a cup of water.