2008 Woodie Awards
UA needs more healthy food options
Freshman Confessions
Brian Washburn
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: Opinion
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With all the recent discussion of the upcoming tobacco ban and the decision of the UA to maintain the campus' public health, I believe the administration is overlooking what could be a much bigger problem for students on campus than tobacco use.
Heart disease has surpassed smoking as the No. 1 cause of preventable death in America. While second-hand smoke does harm people, passers-by have the option to walk in the opposite direction. However, we all have to eat to survive, and sometimes over-indulging during a nightly visit to your dining hall of choice can give way to a widely known college nightmare.
The first year of college can bring on an array of new opportunities and experiences for freshmen. A prominent experience mentioned throughout the nation is the dreaded after-effect of sitting in the dorm all day, partying too much or ordering those late night pizzas: the "freshman 15."
While every UA student might not take part in those particular activities each day, everyone is affected in one way or another by the never-ending supply of tasty treats offered daily on campus. When you are offered a buffet at Broughevery day, or Burger King and Chick-Fil-A in the Union every night, the idea of sticking to a healthy diet might just run right out of your mind once you find that a double whopper, fries and an extra-large soda comes in just under the $6.50 allotted for Late Night at the Union.
Basing your diet on deep fried potatoes, greasy pizza, soda and chocolate chip cookies for lunch, and maybe even dinner, is basically the same as ordering a big silver platter piled high with clogged arteries and heart disease (not to mention an unflattering look, at times). I know these are not the only options served in the dining halls or the Union, but when the only semi-healthy options offered are processed meat for sandwiches and sometimes not-quite-ripe fruit, the greasy pizza starts weighing more and more heavily on your mind as you slide down the line toward the sandwich bar.
Heart disease has surpassed smoking as the No. 1 cause of preventable death in America. While second-hand smoke does harm people, passers-by have the option to walk in the opposite direction. However, we all have to eat to survive, and sometimes over-indulging during a nightly visit to your dining hall of choice can give way to a widely known college nightmare.
The first year of college can bring on an array of new opportunities and experiences for freshmen. A prominent experience mentioned throughout the nation is the dreaded after-effect of sitting in the dorm all day, partying too much or ordering those late night pizzas: the "freshman 15."
While every UA student might not take part in those particular activities each day, everyone is affected in one way or another by the never-ending supply of tasty treats offered daily on campus. When you are offered a buffet at Broughevery day, or Burger King and Chick-Fil-A in the Union every night, the idea of sticking to a healthy diet might just run right out of your mind once you find that a double whopper, fries and an extra-large soda comes in just under the $6.50 allotted for Late Night at the Union.
Basing your diet on deep fried potatoes, greasy pizza, soda and chocolate chip cookies for lunch, and maybe even dinner, is basically the same as ordering a big silver platter piled high with clogged arteries and heart disease (not to mention an unflattering look, at times). I know these are not the only options served in the dining halls or the Union, but when the only semi-healthy options offered are processed meat for sandwiches and sometimes not-quite-ripe fruit, the greasy pizza starts weighing more and more heavily on your mind as you slide down the line toward the sandwich bar.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Caroline
posted 10/11/07 @ 10:47 PM CST
I agree that a greater effort could be made to have more fresher and less over ripened fruits and vegetables. Also, I think healthier options have been improving in the 3 years I've been around. (Continued…)
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