For many students during the semester, maintaining healthy eating habits can be challenging. Between late-night study sessions, busy class schedules and a tight budget, nutrition often takes a back seat.
Students struggling to maintain a diet while managing college life can schedule a one-on-one counseling session with a licensed dietitian for $25. Sessions support areas such as weight management, sports nutrition, eating disorders and overall wellness.
Dining on campus
Through prepaid meal plans, Maverick Dining offers a wide variety of meals that fit different dietary needs, from plant-based options to protein-packed dishes, through prepaid meal plans. Menu items are marked with icons for vegetarian, vegan, high-protein or climate-friendly, making it easier for students to find what fits their lifestyle.
To further support healthy eating, Maverick Dining hosts monthly wellness tables and teaching kitchens, offering students a place to learn nutrition tips and try new foods. They also offer digital guides, including a vegan and vegetarian dining guide and a food allergy and specific diet guide, that help students navigate dining options.
Marketing senior Lizeth Alvarez said she typically goes to Connection Café in the University Center for her go-to campus spot. At first, she was hesitant to try the chicken tofu because it was a vegetarian option, but after giving it a chance, she said it tasted surprisingly good and similar to chicken.
Chick-fil-A
Even at fast food spots like Chick-fil-A, students can get healthier options, whether it’s grilled chicken nuggets or the grilled chicken wrap. Vegan or vegetarian students can enjoy options like the Cool Wrap (without cheese or chicken), as well as the Chick-fil-A waffle fries and hashbrowns.
While Chick-fil-A may not be the healthiest option, depending on what you order, its lighter menu items can provide nutrition.
Panera Bread
Panera offers a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups and breakfast items, giving students plenty of options to grab a quick bite out of while keeping nutrition in mind.
Many items stay under 500 calories as well, making it easy for students to eat smart while on the go to their classes.
Subway
As of Sept. 10, the Subway inside the UC now has a Fresh Fit menu with protein-packed sandwiches, which offers students a healthier alternative meal.
The menu includes the following:
Grilled Chicken and AvocadoHam and Turkey StackerSeasoned Steak and AvocadoTurkey and Ranch Delite
Each sandwich has at least 20 grams of protein and fewer than 500 calories in a six-inch, allowing students to eat the sandwich they enjoy while focusing on their health.
Nursing sophomore Chisom Umeh said she believes that Subway is a somewhat healthy option for students among the fast food choices in the UC.
Shake Smart
Located in the Maverick Activities Center, Shake Smart offers students a quick and convenient way to refuel after exercise or other activities.
“I feel like it’s relatively easy to eat healthy on campus if you look for the right options,” architecture freshman Dylan Nguyen said,
To help support students further, UTA also hosts the Food for Thought series each month during the fall semester. These sessions are free and open to all students, held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays over Microsoft Teams.
@tracysansomjr