When you think of a typical college student’s dinner, two words probably come to mind: ramen noodles. College students are notorious for having a less-than-healthy diet, but it’s time to stop accepting this fate.
We talked with OhioHealth physicians Dr. Jane Balbo and Dr. Krista Duval, who see patients at the OhioHealth Campus Care at Ohio University, to learn more about how college students can make the most out of what they eat.
What makes a diet good or bad?
With lots of information at our fingertips and new diet recommendations coming out all the time, it can feel like we’re making informed decisions about our health. But it’s not always that simple.
“It is kind of tricky to make a blanket statement for everyone about what a good diet looks like, and what a bad diet looks like, and how that would impact them,” Dr. Duval said.
Some diets can be very restrictive of what people can and cannot eat, which can have negative consequences. It can be hard to generalize what foods are “better” because everyone is different.
Dr. Duval clarifies that balance is a part of a “good” diet. “You should try to choose whole foods or minimally processed foods whenever possible. But you know what? You should also eat things you enjoy, like chocolate chip cookies,” Dr. Duval said.
Dining halls: Enjoy them while you can
Stepping into your campus dining hall for the first time can be exciting; there are tons of options to choose from, you don’t have parents telling you what to eat, and you can go back for as many plates of food as you want. And for a while, it’s great… until you get bored.
If you get sick of the dining hall, you’re not alone! A lot of college students tend to get bored of the dining hall after their initial excitement, especially if the menu doesn’t frequently change. However, it’s important you try to mix up what you eat as much as you can.
Get creative with what you eat at the dining hall. Try something you haven’t, go to a different location, or maybe even try some new food combos. Without a parent watching over what you eat, it’s important to take care of yourself by getting the necessary vitamins and minerals that come from a variety of food groups. Not to sound like your parents, but don’t forget to eat your daily fruits and veggies!
As a senior in college writing this, I recommend taking advantage of dining halls while you have them. When your meal plan ends, getting and making food is all on you (I’m talking grocery store visits, cooking, cleaning, and more), so enjoy the food that’s prepared for you while you can!
Dr. Duval and Dr. Balbo offer recommendations for students who may not be on a meal plan anymore:
Campus resources
Planning and preparing your own meals may seem a little daunting at first. If you’re looking for resources to help you get started or you have specific goals that you want to achieve through your diet (like managing your weight or building muscle), your college may be able to help. Some universities offer nutrition coaching or nutrition counseling to help you better take care of yourself through your diet.
Many colleges also offer resources to students who might not have access to fresh, frozen, or canned foods. Here are a few colleges around Ohio that have food pantries for their students (note: this list does not include every college in Ohio that has a food pantry):
- Buckeye Food Alliance at The Ohio State University
- Cats’ Cupboard at Ohio University
- Bearcats Pantry at University of Cincinnati
- Miami Cares at Miami University
- Flash’s Food Pantry at Kent State University
- Campus Cupboard at The University of Akron
- Food Pantry at The University of Toledo
Plan ahead
Grocery shopping and cooking can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience. Buying a lot of ingredients, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, can also add up to a huge grocery bill. However, there are ways to include all your food groups while sticking to a budget:
- Make a grocery list. To avoid moldy produce or a pricey grocery trip, plan your meals for the week before you hit the store. Pick recipes you may want to try and only buy those ingredients. If you’d rather buy your groceries in bulk, pick recipes for foods that freeze well so you can make big portions at once.
- Meal prep. If you can make time, meal prepping can be a great option for busy college students. You can prepare food for just a few days or a full week. Check out our Pro Tips for Meal Planning.
- Split costs with roommates. If you live with roommates, try making a list and shopping together. Not only is it cheaper to split the bill, but you can have fun trying new recipes and cooking together!
Leaving the nest and really taking care of every aspect of your diet for the first time can be difficult. But, with some resources and planning, you’ve got this covered!
About the Authors
College 101 is a collaborative series between OhioHealth Marketing and Communications Interns Katie Emmons, Alice Demith, and Erica Wetzler.
