In fast paced college life, students are constantly juggling academic responsibilities, social engagements, and personal growth. Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet often takes a backseat. However, the significance of healthy food choices cannot be overstated, as they play a vital role in fostering physical well-being, mental acuity, and overall academic success.
As students, our experiences in the college dining hall shape not only our daily routines but also our overall well-being. From quick bites between classes to leisurely meals with friends, the dining hall plays a central role in campus life.
Here at Cortland there are different options of food to eat. The main two being the dining halls Nuebig and Bistro, where you use meal swipes as a form of payment. The rest of the food places located throughout campus are dining facilities that you use meal exchanges, dining dollars, or connections for.
Although there are multiple options with different types of food and places to choose from, sometimes it’s still hard to make healthy decisions with each meal. Reasons for this could vary from allergies, certain diet, preference, or the main one being that if you run out of dining dollars and dont have the money to add more to your account, you’re kind of stuck with what the dining halls have to offer each day.
A survey was done with thirty seven random students here at Cortland, asking their opinions on the dining services and whether or not they thought there were enough healthy options to choose from, and what improvement can be made for the future.
Providing nutritious options in dining halls encourages students to make healthier choices, reducing the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.
It is important as student’s we get our moneys worth from the dining halls that we pay for, but majority of students would rather spend money else where, more than twice a week than eat on campus.
Neubig and Greens and Grains are the number one picks of on campus restaurants with the healthiest food options.
What improvements could be made to the dining halls, if any?
To summarize all 37 responses the majority had similar answers:
-More options of food
-More dining options on the weekends
-Change up to menus more often
– Healthier food options
-Neubig takeout to be longer, and have more options
-More vegetable and salad options
– The healthy food being replenished more often ex: Neubig salads
-Things look less appealing when it is the same meals over and over again
– Listen to the students to understand what people want in the dining halls
Addressing the shortcomings of dining hall food is essential for fostering a healthy campus environment and empowering students to make informed choices about their diets. By prioritizing the provision of nutritious and balanced meals, universities can support the holistic development of their student body, promoting lifelong habits of wellness and resilience.