2 weeks from now I’ll be back on campus in my scruffy little dorm room. I’m actually quite excited, but totally unprepared and unpacked. Last year, I was new and still finding my bearings. I had no idea how to balance being a foodie in such a limited area. But this year I feel I’ve got that down. And since so many of you have asked the details about being on campus either a) because you’re curious or b) because you’re going to be in the same situation, I thought I’d lay it all out there.
1. I have a CSA share.
I put this first because it’s the one I’m most excited about. In Rhode Island, the farmers’ market scene is very big. Last year it used to be held right on my front lawn; how crazy is that? This year I made sure to get a share. I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with this produce. I expect to eat a lot of salad with cut up vegetables. But I’m excited!
2. I will shop at Whole Foods/local markets.
For things I can’t get from my CSA share or the dining hall, there’s always the grocery stores. I’m lucky to live just a mile from 2 prominent Providence grocery stores, Whole Foods and East Side Market. If you’re new to the area, you should ask the locals where the best stores are/use public transportation.
I’m also living less than 1/4 of a mile from a convenient store that sells soy and coconut milk ice cream. I’m not sure how I or my wallet feels about that, but I know they’ll be getting my business a lot.
3. I will use the kitchen to make my own food.
This is something I didn’t do at all first semester and became a pro at during the second. My dorm last year had a kitchen with a stove and oven, and I made sure to get the same this time. Better yet, it’s only 2 floors below me instead of 3—hallelujah!
4. I will eat at the dining hall, too.
Just like last year, I have a meal plan. And I’m here to say that the dining hall isn’t that bad, at least not where I go to school. There’s always a full salad bar and usually some good cooked veggies to pick at as well. Besides, it’s easier to say “Let’s meet at the dining hall” when eating with people.
If you’re new to a college and have concerns, definitely check out your college’s website for information. I recently found out that my dining hall can prepare special meals for people with allergies(mostly Amy’s organic brand) if you give them enough notice. Even if they don’t offer that, I’m sure the people there will want to help in any way they can.
5. I will (inevitably) eat more raw.
As an effect of the CSA share and the dining hall salad bar and all those times I don’t want to cook/won’t have the equipment, I’m positive I’ll be eating more raw(not that that’s a bad thing). I’ve been following Gena and Averie’s blogs for ages and I’m excited to try more of their recipes and sauces.
Even though this is all 2 weeks away, I was “practicing” with a very simple, very dorm-friendly breakfast.
It doesn’t get much simpler than banana and oatmeal. The choc-a-lot vega mix is something I’ve blogged about before. It’s delicious, full of protein, and we were lucky enough to get them in our HLS swag bags.
The banana made it nice and thick while the oatmeal made it kind of chewy. There was no water/no cooking necessary. It was the perfect way to finish off a Naturally Nutty jar.
Trust me: You want this in your life.
Do you have any tips for new college students who might be reading this that I haven’t mentioned? Leave them in the comments. Overall, I would say if you’re new to an area the best thing you can do is just ask around with your questions/concerns. Everyone was new somewhere once.
It sounds like you have an excellent plan of action! I wouldn’t add much more to it, you got it under control. You’re so lucky to have all those options, especially Whole Foods. Very cool.
Jenn
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“steal” fruit from the dining hall or greens for smoothies! i would smuggle fruit into my backpack to eat later in my dorm room
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That’s a very complete list with great tips! The only thing I might add is seeing if your university or area has clubs and organizations that could help you meet people with similar food/exercise interests. Getting involved and having friends is a powerful tool, especially if you’re new to an area. And I agree, you’re so lucky to have a Whole Foods nearby!
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Jordan Reply:
August 18th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I’m a college freshman this year and there is actually an “exploring health and wellness” thematic learning community, which I joined. I’m excited to meet other health nuts!
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hey, with all the hubbub from the HLS, i just found your bloggy, love it!
well done for having such a fab plan for going back to college! I’m impressed!!
Like Elizabeth, i think trying to find other like minded people will help lots!
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Lots of great tips here! I wish I had a Whole Foods close to my college. My options are Hy-Vee or Walmart, ha.
Other tips: fill up a to-go container with veggies from the salad bar to add to quick dorm room meals; buy frozen veggies; go to a farmer’s market; oats or sweet potatoes + peanut butter make good, cheap meals
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You have a fantastic plan of attack for back-to-school dining. I am a huge fan of CSA shares and have one myself! Sometimes you get the most random veggies so have fun with new recipes
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That is SO awesome that you’ll be getting a CSA share! Sounds like you have the healthy college eating thing down pretty pat. After the first year, I think everything feels easier!
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Aw, love the Ratty! The omelet bar is pretty rocking too…
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I work at a university, and my suggestion is that if you see comment cards in your dining hall, FILL THEM OUT! NOBODY takes the time to do these, but we love all kinds of feedback from students. As university employees, we’d be out of work if there weren’t happy students filling our classes every fall, so we really do want to give you guys what you want (within reason).
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I’m so impressed that you’re getting a CSA and shopping at Whole Foods while in school! That’s awesome. I was lucky enough to go to a school that had a pretty good dining hall as well.
One piece of advice I would give to those in undergrad: don’t be afraid to make your own healthy choices. A lot of eating while in school is social, and while there are some pretty much unavoidable situations if you want to have a social life (what college kid hasn’t ever ordered pizza and wings with friends on a friday night?) for the most part you can find ways to make healthy choices, and people will respect them.
When my friends learned a little more about my lifestyle and how well it worked for me they were intrigued and wanted tips! Don’t be afraid to set a trend
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I would recommend getting familiar with the menus of on-campus restaurants and/or the dining halls. That way you know ahead of time which places offer the most healthful items and which places offer items that you might modify to be healthful. That’s how I survived 4 years of campus eating!
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If your school has a buffet style dining hall, I would recommend bringing containers to store “seconds” in. Also buy your own dishwasher liquid and sponge if you’re using communal kitchens!!!
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sounds like a great plan! college is where i became my most chubby wubby. if i had followed your tips i probably would have been okay! such is life! glad you are taking advantage of a CSA. good for you
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I would say don’t be afraid to supplement the on-campus food options with your own stash in your dorm room (which you will be doing!). When I was a freshman, I always knew that if it was an ‘off’ night at the dining hall and there wasn’t much I wanted to eat there, I could go back to my room and have a healthy snack to fill me up.
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i think the biggest thing that helped me was cooking my own food and being willing to take a chance on new things! plus i watched foodnetwork obsessively…but that might not be for everyone
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I wish I was that diligent about preparing my own foods or getting stuff on my own when I was in college. Of course, we didn’t have as many foods/stores accessible to us. I didn’t have a car… The dining commons was the place to go for food, and it was up to one’s own discretion to pick and choose to eat the good stuff, some of which was not readily available.
Sounds like you are going to have a tasty year ahead!
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I wish I knew all of this back when I was college. It would have saved me a lot of strife.
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Love the list & the new layout (Ive been absent from blogland for too long!!). Enjoy the next two weeks of freedom!
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We have a pretty fantastic salad bar and homemade fresh hummus everyday, so I’m pretty much set there. The unfortunate part is that, though they do have vegetarian options, most of them are white pastas, cheese-based casserole dishes, or things loaded with so much oil or salt that you question the point of it all. I have a co-op nearby and they just put a farmer’s market on campus this year, so I’m looking forward to that.
The biggest problem is that I’m forced to get a meal plan, thus I try to use it seeing as I’m paying for it. So that means not cooking for myself as much as I would like to. Also, though our dining hall is all-you-can-eat, you’re not allowed to bring any containers in or anything of that nature. We can smuggle fruit out, and I take advantage of that, but even that I think they’re starting to crack down on.
If I had to give some advice I’d say smuggle fruits if you can (I don’t recall buying bananas at all during my second semester last year). Don’t be afraid to make suggestions or ask for accomodations at your dining hall. And above all, do NOT be afraid to bring in your own additions. If you want some nuts, a healthy dressing, spices, seasonings, whole-wheat breads, crackers, etc., and they don’t offer it, bring it with you and have them with your meal.
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damn boy, you are mr. trafffic king! I swear every blog i used to go to all of a sudden has had a traffic explosion…so happy for you! now where’s mine? ha…guess i need to go to HLS.
thanks for the shout!
your CSA share. if it’s anything like my CSA share you will have veggies coming out of your ass. basically some weeks you will have SO MANY GREENS you will not know what to do with them. In this case, a vita mix or a juicer would be helpful BUT since you can eat raw food with the best of em, you can probably eat it all raw/fresh. But seriously, the thing about csa’s is that they are awesome but they also force you to become an excellent cook, a varied & diverse cook, and you will truly appreciate both nature, the food, and your skills after 6 mos with your csa, trust me! it’s gonna rock your life!
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I love your plan of action! My daughter will be returning to her campus soon and is really looking forward to getting back to the food! We are vegetarian and she has learned that if at first you don’t see a viable option, get creative! We do this when we travel as well. Her school has really good food and excellent veg options. Often when I visit I prefer to eat on campus rather than at a neighboring restaurant. She is a student athlete so being well-fueled is so important to her. It’s a far cry from my own (Dominos-fueled) college days! Best of luck to you
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Great Tips! Every college student should always be aware of all the possible healthy options out there on campus. And being a student myself (even though I still live at home, I’ll be moving out hopefully soon) I know that we are constantly studying and trying to socialize and have fun all at the same time, and its hard to notice the food we choose to snack on!
I’ve been trying to “practice living the dorm life” by making my family buy healthier snacks, and learning to cook healthier recipes myself! And believe it or not, just by cooking and buying fresh healthy foods really keeps everyone interested in what they’re eating and what they should be eating! Not to mention that I live with all guys too…
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I like your post , very instructing
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