The sight in Jazzman’s shows a sea of students swarming around the coffee vats and an endless line and the register. Its barley possible to navigate efficiently through the mass of students, and the last thing most are thinking about if how fattening their muffin or even their Asian salad really is.
Nutrition is something that floats in and out of college students’ minds and it’s not always the top priority when it comes to deciding on what to order at their local dining hall. Sure, heath and fitness is extremely important, especially during those young adult years, but it is something that is difficult to maintain on a college campus.
Many may think that they are making the right choices when it comes to their eating habits on campus, but many couldn’t be farther from the truth. High amounts of fat and calories are disguised by healthy-looking foods and many are falling for the foney assumptions.
Think that coffee and blueberry muffin you love in Jazzman’s “can’t be that bad for you?” Well, get ready to face reality because that dinky little muffin is going straight to your already blossoming beer-belly.
In Jazzman’s, a blueberry muffin contains 535 calories, 20 grams of fat and seven grams of saturated fat.
“I was surprised to hear how bad they were,” said sophomore elementary education major Daniella Rende. “I will re-think what I’m eating here now.”
Other popular picks like the Santa Fe Focaccia and the Smoked Turkey BLT are surprisingly harsh on your health. The Santa Fe contains a staggering 758 calories, 38 grams of fat and 10 grams of saturated fat. The Turkey BLT is not much better. It holds 555 calories, 33 grams of fat and six grams of saturated fat.
Believe it or not, a Big Mac from McDonald’s is in close comparison to both of these sandwiches. The Big Mac has 560 calories, 30 grams of fat and 10 grams of saturated fat. Ouch. Instead of hitting up Jazzman’s to satisfy your hunger, you may as well waste your calories on a delicious McDonald’s burger.
Laura Goodfield, a sophomore biotechnology major, was also shocked upon hearing how loaded with fats and calories the foods on campus really are.
“I think it’s hard to find healthy things to eat here on campus. Its hard because I think most people go to the gym and work out and come here [Jazzman’s] and eat something they think is healthy, but it’s not,” she said.
“I think the salads would be the best thing to eat here,” Rende said, but she also surprised to learn that the Mexican salad contains a whopping 706 calories, 53 grams of fat and 13 grams of saturated fat. That’s all before you put a splash of dressing on your lettuce.
Now before you scurry off to the gym and hop on the treadmill for the next three hours, consider this. There are some healthy choices one can make while dining on campus. The Jazzman’s salad has a reasonable 115 calories, 3 grams of fat and 0 grams of saturated fat. The Roasted vegetable sandwich only has 398 calories, 9 grams of fat and 2.25 grams of saturated fat. This meal is a perfect choice for our animal-friendly vegetarians and vegans and will also fill the much needed vegetable servings we all need each day.
When is comes to picking your meals on campus, stay away from cheesy Paninis, they are only fat and carbohydrate heaving. Try salads with a vingerette dressing and substitute greasy fried chicken with tasty grilled pieces. When is comes to picking out breakfast, try a biscotti instead of that sugar-filled muffin or scone.
College is already hectic enough with schoolwork, jobs and organizations to attend to. If you try and stick to healthy meals and exercise, you will feel enhanced and posses more energy to tackle those demanding days we all face.
Heidi Huffnagle, the manager at Jazzman’s, said that alternitive meal choices are avaivalbe for tsudents upson request.
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