While most students begin to dread the college dining hall after just a few weeks of eating there, vegetarians face entirely different challenges. Vegetarians often find themselves choosing between unhealthy food and not eating at all. Avoiding the freshman fifteen seems impossible on dining plans, especially as a vegetarian. Dining plans can be a poor option for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike because large food organizations often provide campus food, offering delicious unhealthy options and not-so-hot healthy options. However, being vegetarian on a campus meal plan is not impossible, you just have to know your options! Here are five tips for vegetarians on campus:
Eat Some Rabbit Food
Though the salad bar seems like the most obvious option, it's important to mention because there are a ton of ways to mix it up when it comes to salads. Your salad doesn't have to be boring and flavorless. Try adding eggs, black beans, or tofu to your salad for a protein boost, add fruit for a burst of flavor, and make sure to top it all off with your favorite low fat dressing. Salad is a healthy, delicious option that can easily be fortified with protein.
Stock Up On Dorm Room Snacks
Even if you're on a meal plan it's a good idea to keep some healthy, fulfilling snacks on hand in your dorm. Greek yogurt, bagels and low-fat cream cheese, and hummus are all great options to keep in the mini fridge for healthy snacks that actually fill you up. It goes without saying that protein bars are always a good choice to keep in your desk drawer in your dorm, along with nuts and trail mix. Finding some quick, healthy, go-to snacks can be oh-so helpful in the long run.
Seek Out Meatless Entrees
While cheese pizza is often the most common meatless entree in the dining hall, many campus dining halls will occasionally offer a veggie or black bean burger, a quesadilla, or even a veggie burrito. Make sure to double check the nutrition facts on said entrees, because vegetarian food isn't always healthy food, but when you see the opportunity to eat something hot, healthy, and vegetarian, make sure to seize the opportunity!
Help Make A Change
If your college dining hall takes suggestions, give them cost-effective, healthy vegetarian meal suggestions- you could even include companies that produce vegetarian food. Simple suggestions like adding black beans to the salad bar can prove to be very effective as well. While writing for a suggestion box doesn't guarantee change, it will at least make the dining hall director aware of your issue. You could also join or form a vegetarian or vegan club at your university to help promote vegetarian options through your campus publications or posters from your dining hall food provider.
When All Else Fails, Eat Dinner in Your Dorm
If there comes a day when you aren't feeling the vegetarian options in the dining hall, cook an easy meal for yourself in your dorm. Healthier choices include meals from companies like Amy's, Kashi, or Trader Joe's in-store brand; these companies offer healthier microwave meals with plenty of vegetarian varieties. Instant noodles, while high in sodium content, can be a cheap, viable option, and healthy if eaten in moderation. Vegetarian noodle options include Nissin Top Ramen brand in the Chili or Oriental flavor. Even fortified cereal and oatmeal can be possible options if all else fails!
