Imagine: You just got out of class. It’s 11:20, and it’s time to make sure you get your daily nutrients, keeping in mind your health goals. You pull out your phone to find out what’s for lunch; it’s risotto. “Ugh, I’m trying to eat better, but I don't want ANOTHER salad!” The Gazebo seems too repetitive and the thought of a Gazebo burrito makes you queasy. That overwhelming feeling begins to set in because you feel like there’s nothing to eat: “I guess it’s pizza again,” you think. Does this sound familiar? Eating at Andrews can become more of a chore instead of something enjoyable. It feels like all that's available are carbs and hardly any protein. There are some students who are left with money on their cafe accounts at the end of the year because they just don’t eat there. Other students might have a cafe card full of money but their debit cards are almost empty because of their daily trips to Taco Bell and Baguette. Because of this, you might be wondering if it’s possible to get a proper, protein filled diet while still using money on our cafe accounts.
The truth is eating healthy shouldn’t be this hard. It should be easy and enjoyable. Rachel Keele, Director of University Wellness and Manager for Andreasen Center for Wellness, says, “My biggest piece of advice is to work on your relationship with food. Stop trying to separate foods into moral categories. Instead of thinking of food as “good” and “bad,” take a few moments at meals to tune into how your body feels before you eat, while you eat and after you eat. You might learn that some foods generally considered “unhealthy” make you feel just fine when eaten in moderation, while other “healthy” foods don’t sit well with you. Knowing these facts is valuable information. And if you’re a fast eater, try to slow down and savor. God intended for us to enjoy what we eat.” Ultimately, it comes down to personalizing your meals and discovering what works best for you. What might be “good” for one of your buff friends might not be the same for you. Everyone has different protein intakes due to size, goals, activity, and body composition. However, everyone can benefit from more protein. Keele adds, “Aside from helping us build and maintain muscle, it’s essential for your immune functions and will keep you fuller for longer, so it’s the economical choice!”
It can be hard to get all your protein and vegetables to feel good with a personalized diet. Sometimes, the carb-filled Gazebo can make you feel bloated after. On the other hand, salad can get repetitive and almost feel like you’re eating like a bunny. Having a healthy balance of fruits and vegetables, protein, and carbs is essential to getting your daily nutritional needs. However, it can be more challenging for the dorm residents who have to spend all their cafe money before the end of the year. “If you want to eat better than how you’re currently eating,” Keele suggests, “I’d focus on getting more fruits, vegetables, beans, and protein in your diet. Fruits, vegetables, and beans are high in fiber, low in calories, and packed with nutrients. Eating more of these will provide a host of benefits but will also mean you’re eating less of other things that aren’t as high in valuable nutrients. Start by seeing if you can get a fist-size serving of these plants at each meal and a palm-sized serving of protein. If you feel like you can nail that regularly, increase both.”
There are some outlets to acquire protein upstairs in Terrace Cafe. Some examples Rachel Kelle gives are soy products, egg products, and tofu. If tofu isn’t served at the main counters, you can roam the sandwich area and usually find some slices there. Another great outlet through dairy is cottage cheese (which can also be found in packaged form at the Gazebo), milk, and yogurt. When in doubt, grab some rice, beans, and a source of vegetables. Overall, it can be hard to try and eat healthily if you can’t grocery shop or hardly make your own food. However, what you can make is the best of the situation. Try these helpful tips that Rachel Keele has given and enjoy eating.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.