Being in college may seem like the time to let go of calorie fears and to stuff yourself with take- out pizza, soda and all the French fries D-Hall can offer; however, finding the healthy alternatives may be easier than you think.
If you’re low on money, as the average college student tends to be, then you’re probably surviving off your meal plan. Luckily, the meal plan can help in more ways than one.
One benefit of having meal swipes is having free fruits and vegetables available every single day. D-Hall will almost always have more than two different types of vegetables out on the buffet, as well as the salad bar where you will find raw vegetables and a surplus of fruits.
Another two options for small and healthy on the go meals are “Outta Here” and the café in the Lankford Student Union. Both places have baskets of fruits to choose from and guilt-free meals. “Outta Here” always has a plentiful salad bar and a decent selection of sandwiches to choose from as well as a hot meal option.
The Student Union doesn’t work with meal swipes, but almost every plan comes with Bonus Dollars, and most likely this is where they will all go. At first, the Student Union may seem deceiving with their tempting F’Real milkshakes and candy bars everywhere you turn, but try not to get distracted by the sweet, sugary deliciousness.
The sushi bar will provide a nutritious and satisfying lunch. Another option is Einstein’s Bagels, where you can grab a whole-wheat bagel with a fruit cup or a pre-made (but still fresh) salad. On your way out, you can also snatch up a Naked smoothie and some pretzels with hummus for an in-between class snack.
Despite all the options Longwood provides for its students, the food still gets a bit tiresome. This will be the time to adventure out into the small town of Farmville and pick up some groceries or eat out for a night. Being on the college student budget, Wal-Mart would probably be the first choice for groceries. Stop by and pick up some healthy, low-priced ingredients for a meal to cook in the kitchens of the residence halls.
Wal-Mart is no Harris-Teeter or a Whole Foods, so if you find yourself looking for more organic choices, stop by the small grocery shop called Healthy Living.
The store is owned by Kendal and Wilma Albert, who describe it by saying, “It’s a store providing organic products, sugar-free, vegan ... natural herbs, traditional herbs. We have an open juice bar, open smoothie bar, and we make sandwiches with soy patties, vegan cheeses, vegan mayonnaises.” It would be difficult to make the wrong choice here, whether it’s a trip in for healthy ingredients or just a small stop for smoothies.
All in all, eating healthy while on campus is only as hard as you make it. Staying physically healthy is just as simple. The easiest place to check out is the Health and Fitness Center, where the workout equipment and the group fitness classes are fantastic.
The group fitness classes consist of Zumba, Yogalates, BodyPump and CoreSpin, among others, and they are available to whoever wants to take them. These group fitness classes are a fun way to get in an hour workout with friends and fellow students.
Staying active at Longwood, whether it be at the gym, in the kitchen or in the community, will benefit your happiness, your grade performance and your overall experience here on campus.
Myron Owens is a dedicated employee of Healthy Living LLC, a local heath food option for students.
