TDR. The lovely Terrace Dining Room that we all know and love. They’re are times when we can’t wait to go to TDR, like Mac n’ Cheese Wednesdays, but sometimes we can’t help but miss mom’s home cooking. Besides missing a nice hot home cooked meal, eating healthy foods in college is harder than eating healthy at home. I find myself grabbing a bag of chips or a piece of cake, which I wouldn’t normally eat at home. It is important to be conscious of what food you are putting into your body while away at college, and although the food options on campus are limited, it is possible to choose healthy and good meals.
Here are a few tips to help you make the healthiest and yummiest choices possible when dining at TDR.
1. Eat your breakfast
I am sure you have heard the saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. Breakfast is an essential part of the day because it gives you the fuel you need to start your day off right! TDR is a great breakfast spot. First of all, there are a variety of cereals to choose from such as Cheerios and Rice Chex cereal. Or, if you are in the mood for something sweeter, they have Coco Puffs and those beloved Lucky Charms. They also have hot cereals such as oatmeal, which is good with just a little brown sugar and raisins. If you are not much of a cereal eater, they have bagels and cream cheese, toast with peanut butter or jelly, and if you are feeling creative, you can make yourself a waffle. Finally, the omelet line is always a good option for something healthy and filling for breakfast; however, the line can get long at times so make sure you plan accordingly.
2. Grab a bowl of soup
You can always count on TDR to have a few soup choices for lunch and dinner. Soup is a great option if do not feel like eating something too heavy. TDR’s turkey chili is one of my personal favorites. I like to add a little cheddar cheese to make it really delicious. The turkey chili satisfies my hunger without making me feel sick or sluggish afterwards. Also, the chicken noodle soup is great if you have been fighting a cold or the flu! If the soup doesn’t fill you up on its own, you can always compliment it with a nice salad from the salad bar. That way you will be getting your protein and vegetables.
3. Use the sandwich bar
The sandwich bar is one of my favorite spots at TDR. They have a variety of sandwich options ranging from turkey, ham, veggies, egg salad to a classic peanut butter and jelly with wheat or white bread, and a variety of condiments such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles. The sandwiches taste just like the ones I make at home. They are fresh and fill you up to get you through the day. They give you a little break from those Subway sandwiches while still using a meal swipe!
4. Skip the dessert—sometimes
As good as that slice of pie or piece of chocolate cake looks, eating dessert every time you go into TDR might not be the healthiest choice. A little dessert once and while never hurt anyone; however, all sweets should be eaten in moderation. The desserts at TDR can be rich and too much of them might leave you feeling sick inside. I recommend skipping dessert at TDR and saving your sweet cravings for some Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream or a fun outing with friends to Max Brenner Chocolate Factory in Bethesda. Since we don’t usually eat dessert all the time, I recommend making the most out your dessert choices and eating sweets that you find truly delicious.
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