Worried about packing on the “Freshman 15?” With these sure fire tips, you can’t go wrong when dining on campus. SMU has a wide variety of options sure to fit every taste and craving you might have.
Option 1: Umphrey Lee“Umph” as many students call it can be a hit or a miss when looking for healthy options on campus. Go for the pizza bar and you are pretty much doomed. However, there are many other options available. The salad bar is always stocked with unlimited veggies and toppings to make a meal. Add some turkey or ham from the sandwich isle to get enough protein to carry on with your day. Too lazy to make your own salad? The Spa Cuisine has a new dish almost every meal to satisfy your inner health nut.
Option 2: Mac’s PlaceCalling all McElvaney students! This place will quickly become your second home. Just a few steps out your dorm room and you are encompassed by a wide variety of take home and to-go food options that will never leave you hangin’. Get a strip or two of grilled chicken or put that chicken on a whole wheat bun. Add lots of lettuce and tomato and you are good to go. Mac’s Place also features ready-made salads and vegetarian sandwiches. The best are the Caesar salad and turkey wrap with sun dried tomato pesto. Stay away from high fat dressing and opt for the “lite” versions- there are a few to pick from. Even top your salad off with featured olive oil and vinegar- a low calorie option that tastes good, too. The chicken noodle, tomato and lentil soups are also great choices.
Option 3: Hughes TriggHughes Trig student center has a wide variety of options for healthy eating. Try Java City for a non-fat latte or protein smoothie. Subway is downstairs right next to the tempting, but oh so fattening Pizza Hut. Stay clear from this calorie bomb if you want to avoid that extra freshman baggage. At Subway, stick with the whole wheat bread, add lots of veggies, and stick with lean protein such as chicken or turkey. Want to cut out 150 calories? Leave the cheese behind. Get mustard instead of mayo and top with pepper and oregano opposed to salt.
Chick-fil-A can be a hit or a miss. Chicken tenders would be a big no, and well, we all know about the fries. If you find yourself there with your lunch date, order a side salad and the charbroiled chicken sandwich. This meal provides you with about 400 calories, 20g protein, 35 carbs, and minimal fat. Chicken tenders can have as many as 600 calories a serving.
The Market Place right across from Java City is also a great place to get some healthy snacks for your dorm room. Start at the health food isle and find an array of low fat granola, Kashi Go Lean crackers and cereal, gluten free bread, assorted teas and 100- calorie packs. Great things to also stock up on are canned, broth based soups, such as chicken noodle, lentil and vegetable. The Market Place offers a wide selection of protein bars that can be great for a snack between classes, or a on the go meal before hitting the gym. Stay away from any bar with more that 12 grams of sugar per serving. The best are Power Crunch bars, Lean Protein bars, Balance bars and a few others. Stay away from sugary Cliff, Lara and Power bars. You might as well grab a snickers.
So, as you can see, there are plenty of ways to avoid the dreaded “Freshman 15” at SMU. No worries freshmen, have a great first semester!
Marissa Adamany is a junior business and advertising double major. She can be reached for comment at [email protected].
