College meal plans are easy and convenient for students who live both on and off campus, but it is not always easy to eat a healthy diet in the dining halls. Students who follow a gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan lifestyle sometimes find it challenging to find options for them, especially when first-year students who live on campus are required to buy one. Luckily, USF makes it easy for all students to find healthy, delicious and easy options. Here at Her Campus we are all about healthy eating! We have composed a list of tips for eating healthy in the dining halls here at USF:
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Fill up your plate with veggies
We always heard our mothers tell us that we should eat our vegetables because they are good for us and like always, our mothers were right. Vegetables are great sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, dietary fiber and more! USF Dining ensures that they are fresh and abundant daily, so be sure to fill up your plates with veggies!
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Choose lean protein sources
While pepperoni pizza and hamburgers can be delicious, they are not the most nutritious options on the menu. Choose a leaner option like roasted or grilled chicken, turkey, fish, beans, nuts and nut butters, and legumes! Check out the stir-fry station in the dining halls for lean, vegetarian protein sources mixed with healthy vegetables and filling whole grains!
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Dine at Champion’s Choice
Champion’s Choice is a newer dining hall on campus that is designed to provide healthy dining options to athletes, students with special dietary needs and any student that enjoys living a healthy lifestyle. They have everything from a vegan station to freshly ground peanut butter! It is a great way to eat a bit healthier without sacrificing delicious food!
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Grab fruit on the way out
USF Dining Halls always have both cut up fruit as well as portable fruit. So, take the portable fruit as a grab-and-go snack! Fruit is a healthy snack option filled with dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Plus, it is sweet and there are always different varieties in season.
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Drink water!
Soda is tempting and plentiful, but drinking water is so important. Water is vital and it helps you stay hydrated in sunny South Florida, so be sure to drink a lot of it! Sometimes, the dining halls will make fruit-infused water to add a bit of flavor, but it is easy to do yourself as well!
Collegiettes™, it is possible to stay healthy on a meal plan! Be sure to stay active by exercising too. The USF Campus Rec Center is a great option and free for all students! Follow these tips and you will be living a healthy lifestyle.