Satisfying your cravings on campus isn't easy when you're looking for a meal that won't saddle you with saddlebags. Students looking to eat healthy and keep the calorie count low should know what foods to avoid when checking out Putnam's or the Commons for dinner. After surveying dining options for students on campus, there are six foods on campus to avoid for students looking to keep their figures and eat healthy.
Some of the most convenient foods on campus are also some of the unhealthiest and highest in calories and fat, according to Anita Hathaway, a dietician with Campus Dining and Shops.
"Fast foods are convenient for students in a hurry and are cheap," Hathaway said. "Foods that are better for you are high in price."
Fast foods are some of the most popular options for students, but end up helping to pack on the pounds. The most disastrous food for any diet on campus is Burger King, according to the Nutrition Action Web site. The Burger King Quad Stacker contains 1000 calories, with 30 grams of saturated fat. That alone is over half of the recommended caloric intake for many students, and one and a half days' worth of saturated fat.
French fries, which cost students less than a dollar, can also pack on as much as 590 calories and 30 grams of fat per serving, according to the Fantastic Foods Web site.
Some students live off of their caffeine intake for the day. Notorious for being overworked and exhausted, most students need a cup - or nine - to get them through the day.
Students aren't always conscious of what they're consuming in their Starbucks delights - many drinks that the Starbucks on campus serves up can be the equivalent caloric intake of one whole meal for the day. According to the Nutrition Action Web site, a Starbucks Venti (20 ounce) Caffe Mocha with whipped cream contains 490 calories and 16 grams of fat. So before you go sucking down your third cup of joe for the day, beware of what you're taking in.
Similarly, whether you call it soda or pop, the most common thirst-quenchers for students usually contain somewhere between 100 and 300 calories. An eight-ounce can of regular Pepsi contains 100 calories.
For students who just need to satisfy their caffeine craving for the day, consider diet sodas, as well as new products like Coke Zero, which contain no calories and taste about the same as regular soft drinks.
Ranking third would be some of Sbarro's pizza slices, which might seem like just a snack to students. However, a slice can be just as fatty as other fast food meals that add bulk before bathing suit season. According to Sbarro's nutritional information, a plain slice of cheese pizza contains about 460 calories, with 13 grams of fat. This number significantly increases when toppings are added.
Yet another "snack" are those tasty donuts to which students often treat themselves. A convenient breakfast snack, many people don't consider what they're taking in while munching on a cream puff.
According to Hathaway, donuts and other pastries are empty calories and are gone within the blink of an eye, while still leaving students hungry.
Tim Horton's doughnuts generally range between 250 and 360 calories, according to their online nutritional information. A single timbit can also set a student back 60 calories for each single bite. Dunkin' Donuts are only a slightly better choice, with donuts somewhere between 150 and 300 calories.
When Bosco Sticks were introduced to the Campus Dining and Shops menu last year, students couldn't get enough of them. Since then, they've been a popular choice of students on the run, but cost 210 calories per stick, according to Market Day Produce. Each stick also contains 400 mg of sodium, 15 grams of cholesterol and eight and a half grams of fat.
As much as students on campus enjoy chicken wings, fried chicken and mozzarella sticks from Putnam's, these choices are also high in fat and high in calories.
"The Student Union (is) the place where the fried chicken is and all the fried foods (are) offered," said Andy Robinson, a junior social sciences major.
Putnam's snacks, such as cookie packages or a bag of chips, are generally grabbed on the go and also add unnecessary calories, according to Hathaway. These too are empty calories, which will leave students less hungry but heavier.
According to Forbes.com, students take away with a snickers bar 266 calories, and 11 grams of fat. For the average mini-bag of Doritos, students will consume 140 calories and seven grams of fat. For the sweet tooth, a mini-bag of Famous Amos cookies contains 290 calories and 14 grams of fat.
While finding healthy options on campus can sometimes be difficult, hope still exists for students looking to stick to a healthy diet, according to Cindy Youngers, assistant director of Campus Dining and Shops. As a start, this semester UB is using no trans-saturated fat oil in any of the foods cooked in dining halls.
"We receive no subsidized food; we are an independent company and have an intense purchasing program," Youngers said.
Despite similar changes to encourage healthy eating, students should still be aware that if they're going to consume any of these high-calorie and high-fat products, they should eat in moderation.
"Half of the time I eat whatever I want, but the other half I go to Subway and get a turkey and ham sub on wheat bread because it's less fat and not too much dressing," Robinson said. "Since I play a vigorous sport, I eat pastas on campus and stuff like that to get carbs."
Others just need to know how to make healthier choices to avoid the hidden fats of campus life.
"I buy groceries and then I am able to prepare my own meals once in a while," said Natalie Ramsahai, a sophomore nutrition major. "(Then) I have something healthier that I enjoy cooking."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
