Even before “Fast Food Nation” and “Supersize
Me” came out ““ though I was definitely encouraged by
them ““ I’d been trying to eat a lot less fast food.
In-N-Out Burger is one of the few exceptions to the rule. But in
general, I attempt to eat fun and health-conscious meals.
Thanks to some friends with tastes for the strange and
ultra-healthy, I’ve been introduced to new fruits and grains
such as rambutan and quinoa, respectively. We like to shop at Whole
Foods, eat relatively tasteless cereals, and cook together.
So when these friends and I go to campus, it’s not too
surprising that we find most things too greasy and lacking in basic
nutrition to eat on a daily basis.
I realize fast food is usually, by common definition, greasy and
lacking nutrition. And by no coincidence either ““ fat makes
food cook faster and hotter, as well as making the meal cheaper and
feel more filling than other components of a meal.
As a student with an almost non-existent budget, I hate to
suggest that we need to make price a secondary concern on our
checklist for food consumption. Still, with the research that keeps
coming out about the health risks involved with eating too much
fast food too often, reason stands to suggest that eating fast food
is actually more costly.
Saving a few bucks in college is not going to offset the
thousands of dollars I could spend fighting heart conditions
““ already in my family history ““ which fast food could
worsen.
Obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol are only some of the
issues being linked to diets that are low in nutrients and high in
fast-food intake. Weight issues in women are then linked to ovarian
cancer. Maybe health care wouldn’t be such a big problem if
it weren’t for fast food sending us to the ER.
But all that aside, I’d like a better selection of healthy
meals at campus eateries. There are a few options I’ve seen
““ like a vegetarian submarine sandwich offered at LuValle and
a vegetarian option at the new Mediterranean-style Athena’s
on Bruin Walk.
As it turns out, these options are a direct result of student
suggestions. According to Roy Champawat, associate director of
operations and business development for food services, students
expressed an interest in healthier meals through periodic surveys
and evaluations.
These healthier options were “designed with a flavor
profile” in order to serve students who were displeased by
the meals offered. “We have a very diverse student
body,” said Champawat. “In order to give a satisfying
experience to that student body you need a relatively diverse set
of menus and culinary sensibilities.”
He described an oil-free tuna sandwich, a turkey pesto wrap,
fresh fruit cups and vegan wraps in the Kerckhoff Coffee House.
These lines, called the “Natural Selections” and
“Good for You” menus can be found at Stacks Deli, the
Bomb Shelter and other campus eateries.
The items on their menus are evaluated according to how well
they sell, as well as by a student advisory committee and the
on-campus Student Nutrition Committee. At the same time,
they’re very sensitive to price concerns,” Champawat
said.
While all this is very reassuring, the eateries have only begun
to implement these changes. There are still very few healthy
choices, as compared to the barrage of greasy foods offered, and
people are hesitant to buy healthy choices unless they taste good
too.
This won’t change until we hold ourselves to a higher
standard and try to experiment with the healthy options on campus.
Our feedback is very important as well ““ and it’s being
well received. “You can never have too much feedback,”
Champawat emphasized more than once during the interview.
I don’t want to get rid of all the greasy cheap foods on
campus though. I’ve got a weakness for fried food like
nothing else, and pizza is a staple of campus life. Burgers are an
American staple. And I’d like to see hot dogs somewhere on
campus for when I get the urge for a really meaningless snack.
Still, when that little voice pops into my head and starts
complaining that my body needs nutrients to function ““
especially in those really intense classes ““ I need yummy
healthy options. And I’m sure others do as well. Food
services has responded to our suggestions.
Now let’s take advantage of their attention and help them
make a great-tasting healthy menu.
Hashem is a third-year English and sociology student. E-mail
her at nhashem@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to
viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.