So you are off to college. Congratulations. You are one of the lucky. You are taking the first step towards a better future, yadda yadda yadda. You’ve heard all the same boring, Hallmark-esque advice about school and your future. The only real advice you need is to have fun, and take it seriously, but not too seriously. College is not the end all be all of life. But, when it comes to eating at college, you may need some help. Here are some of the best pieces of advice that you will get considering food and eating.
1) Do not buy a meal plan if possible. If you are lucky enough to get a free ride/scholarship that includes free meal plans, then great. Enjoy. If mommy and daddy are paying for everything, then take the meal plan. If not, don’t. It is always overpriced and not tasty. The food will be exactly like the food in high school cafeterias. Aren’t you trying to escape from the old high school life? Why eat the same?There are many other options.
2) Snack bars should be avoided at all costs!! The only reasons to visit a college snack bar are if you work at it, or have a crush on the girl/guy who works there. Their prices are higher than anywhere except at professional sporting events. College snack bars will charge you more than twice for a candy bar or drink than what you will pay at any local convenience store. There is no reason to waste your money.
3) Eat at local/hometown restaurants. Again, college is about trying new things and discovering who you are as a separate entity from your parents. Why would you want to eat at McDonald’s everyday? You know exactly what a Big Mac tastes like. You do not know what a hamburger from the local hometown restaurant tastes like. Try it. You will be surprised.
4) Freshman 15. The old Freshman 15 myth which says that freshmen will gain 15 pounds during their freshmen year is realistic, but it doesn’t have to be. Many freshmen gain 15 pounds because they eat junk all day and do not exercise. (Plus, there’s the alcohol, but that’s a separate issue.) As for the bad food, truth is that it is your freshmen year. You shouldn’t be eating the finest dining every day. If you can, great! But if not, just be careful. Try to mix in good food (salad, healthier cuts of meat, vegetables) as much as possible. As an added bonus, if you are a guy, having healthy food at your place will impress the ladies much more than having chips and cookies. Trust me on this.
5) Avoid the cliched food. Don’t buy Ramen noodles just because that is the old stereotype associated with freshmen. You don’t need to eat mac and cheese everyday. Remember, you are in college to become an individual, not to be like everybody else. You can buy cheap alternatives that are just as tasty and will impress your new friends. Just visit your local grocery store and let your imagination run wild. Have fun.