Options slim for health-conscious students

Smoothies, fruits and subs are healthy options at the Student Union. Photo by: Devin Loretz

As is the case for most universities, the decisions for UNLV campus foods unfortunately are made based on convenience rather than nutrition or health benefits. If there were more options for healthier foods on campus, it could help encourage students who live on campus to begin healthier eating habits and others like vegetarians, vegans or dieters maintain their healthy eating habits more easily.

Healthy food options may be minimal and hard to find on campus, but they are out there hidden and mixed within all students resources. Many students look for cheap and quick food which is why many fast food places, as seen in our Student Union and the Sidewalk Café, are chosen. Finding food options for vegetarians, vegans and dieters is difficult and one must look harder to find something satisfactory.

Most food on this campus is geared toward quick and easy, and that usually means unhealthy,” said Lori Andersen, graduate assistant in the health promotion department. “I would love to see some changes on the campus for some different options.”

The health promotion department’s mission is to assist individuals, groups, organizations and communities in adopting, maintaining and enhancing lifestyle activities that are important to good health.

The Center for Health Promotion (CHS) is a site of learning opportunities for students. This is a place where students can get answers to their questions concerning personal eating habits.

Debra Meyer is the registered dietitian responsible for planning healthy meals for those who live or eat on campus in the Dining Commons. Meyer is available for students Tuesday through Thursday to make appointments at no charge to discuss anything related to health and nutrition. Meyer also offers helpful handouts and nutrition tables that can be found in the Dining Commons.

“The average weight gain for freshmen in college is four to six pounds,” Meyer said.

This information was gathered from a study Meyer did. The study suggests that the reason for the weight gain may be from a decrease in exercise and activity level in individuals who were active in sports in high school but do not continue participating in college. Also, mindless eating trends increase during the evening as well as eating for emotional reasons like boredom, loneliness or stress.

“There are several great selections on or near campus, you just have to take a close look at the menus and familiarize yourself with your surroundings near campus,” Meyer said. “We strive to educate our students to become wise consumers in the area of stress management, exercise and nutrition,”

Meyer suggested a few hot spots within walking distance of campus for students who want more choices than what is available on campus. Paymons Mediterranean Café, 4147 S. Maryland Pkwy, is a popular restaurant with many meat-free options. Nearby, there is a Sunflower Market, 3365 E. Tropicana Ave., and Vons on the corner of Tropicana Ave. and Maryland Pkwy. There are also a few Mexican restaurants within walking distance that provide meatless, lard free beans for vegetarian style burritos.

With a little investigation of the menus around campus many options for vegetarian, vegans and dieters were found.

The Balance Café in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center is one of the hot spots for finding great food to fit a healthy eating lifestyle. Sandwiches can be ordered anyway you like with many vegetables to choose from and avocado and greens. Trail mixes with nuts and fruits, yogurts and vegetarian canned soups can be found. They also have hummus and delicious milk-free smoothies. There is usually one hot vegetarian soup per day.

In the Dining Commons there are more great selections for vegetarians, vegans and dieters. This place has the most options. The Dining Commons provides a vegan pizza daily, vegetarian soups of the day, occasionally a vegan chili and vegan entrees. There are stations to make your own sandwiches and salads. The bars include tofu, hummus and fresh vegetables. Classics like grilled cheese and veggie burgers can be found in the grill area.

“The Dining Commons offers a pretty good variety, but about a year into it I get sort of sick of the same foods. It would be nice to see more options,” said Praveen Hangawette, a sophomore resident at UNLV. “It sucks that I will be here for eight years.”

The SU has a few veggie-friendly options. Sub Connection can offer great meat-free subs or wraps. Order a cheese or vegetable pizza, cheese or vegetable calzone or salad at Pandini’s. Jamba Juice offers many organic foods and they use non-fat frozen yogurt in their smoothies. They also have vegan all-fruit smoothies. Taco Bell has a menu that promotes their lower calorie items. Panda Express does not offer any vegetarian entrees as each entree is cooked with a chicken base.