Eat This, Not That: Student Union Style

It’s been a long day. You wander into the Wildcat Food Court for some dinner after the three hardest mid terms of your life, and you automatically head for the Papa John’s line…again. Sound familiar? Eating well in the Student Union can be a challenge, but it is absolutely doable. Her Campus has some great tips for a healthy diet on a meal plan.
 
1.  Panda Express: Did you know that instead of getting rice or chow mein in your Panda Bowl, you can get mixed vegetables? They’re delicious, and have much more nutrients than rice could ever hope to have. After that, try to avoid the infamously delicious orange chicken. The Beef and Broccoli not only has vegetables in it, but it’s sodium content is much less than that of many other meat entrees.
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2.  Chick-fil-a: Who doesn’t love Chick-fil-a? While this fast-food chain is known for being healthier than other options like Burger King, fried chicken can really only be so good for you. Try the Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich; it comes with lettuce and tomato, which the regular chicken sandwich doesn’t! I know waffle fries are too good to be true, but once in a while, try opting out for a fruit cup instead.
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3.  Papa John’s: Oh, Papa John’s. Most college students have quite a love-hate relationship with this pizza place. While Papa John’s caters to our 2 A.M. pizza needs, and is the chosen dish of many college get-togethers, we can also hold them responsible for feeling the need to put in a few extra hours at the gym. Pizza is almost never good for you, so the best solution here is to just not eat it. However, we are in college, and pizza is just a part of living the college lifestyle. If you’re going to get pizza, look for a veggie pizza (nutrients!) or chicken pizza (protein!).
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4.  Like Papa John’s, Burger King isn’t the most desirable place to eat. But again, like Papa John’s, it’s just a part of being a college student. Plus, sometimes it’s the only place open late at night in the food court. At Burger King, the chicken sandwiches are by far more nutritious than regular burgers. With that being said, like Chick-fil-a, grilled chicken is always your best option. If you want to cut at least 200 calories off your sandwich, go bun-less! You can get your sandwich lettuce wrapped and it’s just as tasty.
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5.  On Deck Deli: Who doesn’t love On Deck Deli sandwiches? Here’s the trick to a healthier sandwich: change your bread. Studies have shown that the darker a bread is, the better it is for your body. On Deck Deli has a huge selection of different breads, so mix it up! Be sure to stick with light mayo and fill your sandwich up with good veggies like cucumber, tomato and avocado!