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ASPIRESPRING2016

WISELY on campus While it may seem like your campus has it all, a recent study has found that not all college campuses are created equal when it comes to healthy eats. According to researchers at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, only 12 percent of entrées and 36 percent of main dish salads served in and around the school were found to be healthy. The case study assessed California Polytechnic State University (commonly known as Cal Poly), a large public university in the Central Coast region of the state, and found that only 36 of 314 entrées and 11 of 31 main dish salads served at two on-campus food stores and 37 off-campus food stores were classified as “healthy,” according to standards set by the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS). In addition, “healthy” entrées were only available in nine of the 18 oncampus dining venues. In a world where the Freshman 15 is a legitimate issue (the struggle is very, very real), the lack of healthy dining options on and off campus Eating BY MEAGHAN MCGOLDRICK can be just as unsettling as it is totally lifechanging for some college students. Though, as we said, not all colleges are created equal – and that means there’s hope! In August, 2015, the website Greatist compiled a list of the 15 Healthiest Colleges in the U.S. Among them is Washington’s Whitman College, known for its healthy eats. According to Greatist, the food in Whitman College’s dining halls is made entirely from scratch with seasonal ingredients sourced from farms within 150 miles of the Walla Walla campus. Also on Greatist’s radar: Bowdoin College. This private liberal arts college located in Brunswick, Maine is said to promote a healthy standard of living across the board, boasting food that is prepared entirely in-house (alongside the college’s very own bake and meat shops). Still, for those that didn’t make Greatist’s list of stellar schools for eating well, there are ways to keep a healthy diet (even in a world where fast food often reigns). Keep your mini- fridge stocked with healthy snacks, pack your own lunch and – of course – make time for the gym! So, whether your school slacks in “good eats” or boasts an array of healthy alternatives, the important thing is to try your best. After all, the Freshman 15 is real, remember?


ASPIRESPRING2016
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