3 steps to eat healthy at your college dining hall 😋

Welcome to your university's cafeteria!

Suddenly, you're faced with a variety of food options and limitless portions.

Deciding what to eat has just gotten easier...or has it?

With a little planning, you can navigate the pitfalls of eating healthy at your university’s cafeteria.

Eating healthy can be a struggle, especially when burgers and fries, pizza, or tacos are so satisfying!

Making healthy food choices daily may be difficult but not impossible. It'll help you:

• Improve your mood

• Sleep better

• Boost your academic performance

• Support weight management

• Eat foods that really fill you up

• Watch portion sizes from empty-calorie foods

• Be smart about beverages and drink more water

• Add one piece of fruit or serving of colorful vegetable to every meal

• Balance out your plate with these three important nutrients: carbs, protein, and fiber

Use the one-quarter rule:

• One-quarter of your plate = protein (usually best if cooked with fat)

  • Eg. chicken, fish, tofu, chickpeas

• One-quarter of your plate = a starchy carbohydrate , preferably one that’s high in fiber

  • Eg. yams, corn, squash

• Two-quarters or half of your plate = non-starchy vegetables

  • Eg. broccoli, salad greens

• Establish an eating routine using your schedule

• Figure out which dining hall works best for you

• Review the cafeteria’s menu for healthy options

• Know where the healthy options are in your cafeteria

• Have a “meal game plan” before heading to the cafeteria

• Once in the cafeteria, stick to your "meal game plan"

For a healthy cafeteria eating plan: