Time and convenience are the main factors that influence the choices a college student makes – especially when it comes to diet. A quick bite to eat on campus isn’t always the healthiest.
However, UB Campus Dining & Shops (CDS) has made efforts to include a variety of healthier options for students. These locations on campus cater the most to students who keep time and their health in mind.
Jamba Juice
Jamba Juice, located in the Student Union, is a go-to for many students who want to implement a healthier lifestyle. The smoothies at Jamba are advertised to provide students with the servings of fruit and vegetables that are recommended by nutritionists everywhere.
“Getting those servings of fruits and vegetables is one of the most important things in your diet,” said Lori Bendersky, a CDS nutritionist.
Jamba also offers a variety of healthy breakfasts such as oatmeal and yogurt bowls, which contain fiber, an important nutrient for digestion.
“I usually go to Jamba Juice all the time,” said Kaitlyn Arnold, a freshman dance major. “Considering my major, healthy eating is important to me, so I usually look out for the healthier places to eat.”
Edgy Veggies
Edgy Veggies is another staple in terms of healthy eating on campus because of its fresh signature and custom salads.
The initial location in Putnam’s received so much traffic that it was expanded to Bert’s Dining Center.
“We take feedback from students, and Edgy Veggies usually had high traffic,” said Raymond Kohl, the marketing manager of the CDS. “We decided to open up another location, which also received high volume consistently.”
Edgy Veggies is another location Arnold visits frequently due to its greener selection.
Seasons Café
One of the newest additions to the UB dining scene is Seasons, a café located in the Center for the Arts.
In addition to a healthy menu, which includes salads and flatbread sandwiches, Seasons offers a juice bar, which gives students access to freshly made green juice. One of the most innovative features of the café is its seasonal menu, which changes to use the produce that is in season.
“We wanted to get something that was really healthy, and used local produce for the most part,” Kohl said.
The café has been a favorite for some students.
Matthew Myles, a sophomore digital media studies major, frequents the café regularly. He recently decided to become more conscious of his health and dietary habits.
“I’ve been recently trying to cut out the unhealthy food from my diet and Seasons has a really good selection,” Myles said.
Alana Kelley, a senior English major, also enjoys the café. She is gluten free and a vegetarian, so finding food on campus is typically difficult for her.
“I usually go to the noodle house for food, but I’ve started going to Seasons too,” Kelley
said. “I can eat there and the food is really good.”
On the Go
CDS is aware a lot of students don’t have time to wait for their food to be made, so quick healthy snacks are the perfect alternative.
At most on-campus cafés and shops, fruit bowls, trail mixes and drinks such as Naked Juice are available. Vending machines have also received a healthier fare – Lays Baked chips and local organic chips have been included in the machines.
A refrigerated machine was recently put in Alumni Arena. It offers healthier options such as Greek yogurt and sandwich wraps.
“We had a lot of students talk about wanting something healthy to eat after working out, and close so they wouldn’t have to go to [the Student Union],” Benderskey said. “Putting in that machine really made it easier for them to quickly get something and get on with what they’re doing.”
Crossroads Culinary Center (C3)
For those who have a little more time to sit down and eat, Crossroads Culinary Center (C3) in the Ellicott Complex is a favorite among students.
It features several food stations that offer everything from pasta to desserts and healthy soups and salads. C3 is also home to Strictly Vegetarian, which offers vegetarian fare to students. The station also offers a change to non-vegetarian students to try meatless meals.
Marissa Smith, a junior undecided major, is a vegetarian who struggled to find things to eat on campus.
“I think UB had really come a long way,” she said. “They definitely did a good job with C3 and the food is really good.”
While the healthy fare is there for students, it’s still up to them to make the right choices. According to Kohl, students can definitely maintain a healthy diet on campus, as long as they are proactive about what they choose.
Thanya Theogene is a staff writer and can be reached at news@ubspectrum.com.
