CHLOE KOWALYK
Managing Editor
Eating healthy with the limit of a meal plan and the dining halls on campus doesn’t need to be a tricky task.
In fact, it can be pretty easy to enjoy a nutritious meal to keep your mind and body healthy while away at college.
Whether you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, face dietary restrictions or are simply just looking to nourish your body with healthier options, here’s an in-depth guide to eating healthy with a meal plan.
Next semester, the following dining halls will be open: Cranston Marche, Willy C’s, Starbucks, Café Mason and Café McEwen. In addition, the C-Store will also remain open next semester.
Each location offers both vegan and vegetarian options.
The allergen information and a key to the ingredients in each of the menu items for all locations (with the exception of the C-Store, which has food still in their original labels) can be found at https://fsa.fredonia.edu/.
Cranston Marche
At Cranston Marche, students can enjoy an array of healthy menu options served in an all-you-care-to-eat format.
Students can access fresh salads and fruit, soups and freshly made sandwiches and wraps.
Cranston Marche also serves grilled foods, including salmon, grilled veggies, cod and various seasoned chicken breasts.
For breakfast, students can get yogurt with granola toppings, as well as eggs and other healthy breakfast options.
Cranston Marche also offers vegan and vegetarian versions of many of their dishes, and students with dietary preferences or restrictions can ask staff for any substitutions.
Willy C’s
Similar to Cranston Marche, students can also enjoy healthy options at Willy C’s. Students can find vegetable boats with cheese, celery, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli.
Additionally, students can order salads, subs, fruit cups and grilled chicken breasts daily.
While the menu at Willy C’s is much smaller than at Cranston Marche, students can filter menu options by vegan/vegetarian preference. By doing so, the items will be restricted to only vegan and vegetarian options, with vegan options highlighted in green.
This filtering option, added to the ordering kiosks last year, helps students safely navigate through the menu.
Starbucks
The campus Starbucks offers many healthy and enjoyable options.
Starbucks’ calories and nutritional information is listed on their website, https://www.starbucks.com/.
However, some of the healthiest options include sous vide egg bites, gluten free and vegetarian breakfast sandwiches, whole grain oatmeal and avocado spread for bagels and other menu items.
All of Starbucks’ menu items list whether they are vegetarian or vegan right in the display case.
Many Starbucks drinks are low in calories or are safe for those with dietary restrictions.
For instance, Starbcuks offers refreshers, which are much like juice and can be served with dehydrated fruit inside. These drinks often run just over 100 calories, making them a sweet summer drink for those of us looking for healthy options. Refreshers can also be made with coconut milk, which makes them into popular, specialty drinks like the afamed “Pink Drink.”
Drinks at Starbucks can also be very easily customized. The company offers a wide variety of nondairy milks, including almond milk, oat milk, soy milk and coconut milk, which helps those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies drink safely.
Customers can also order their drinks without whipped cream, syrups or other high-sugar additions.
Café Mason and Café McEwen
Both Café Mason and Café McEwen offer healthy options — especially for students on the go.
The cafés offer many vegan and vegetarian options, such as sandwiches, fruits and nondairy milk for coffees.
Each of the vegan options have stickers right on the food item’s packaging to show students if their option complies with their dietary needs.
Students can also order soups, salads, cauliflower pasta, wraps, black bean burgers and overnight oats and berries.
Both cafés are great ways for students to grab healthy snacks on the go, in-between classes or for an easy meal on a busy day.