Question: This is my first year at the university, and I'm a vegetarian on the meal plan. It seems so unfair that there are hardly any vegetarian options, and I can already see myself putting on weight. How can I avoid gaining the freshman 15 while on the meal plan?
Answer: I've been a vegetarian since I was about 8 years old, and the bottom line is, you have to sacrifice for your choice, and that's it. During my first semester on the meal plan, I ate the same thing every day - literally. You're not entitled to any extra assistance based on your high moral stances, and I promise you, it will get monotonous. While you'll sleep better at night knowing the cows and chickens that have already been killed (and will probably get thrown in the trash at the end of the day anyway) at least won't have been killed for you, you won't be able to indulge in most of the options at either The Diner or the South Campus Dining Hall. But the good news is, the vegetarian options don't have to be fattening.
First of all, little things like dipping carrot sticks in bleu cheese dressing as opposed to dipping your cheese fries in bleu cheese can make a significant difference in your daily caloric intake. Try and leave yourself more time to eat so you can wait in the Salad Sensations or Sprouts line, instead of getting fries.
Whole-wheat wraps and salads are obviously good options, but when that gets boring, you have to get creative. One of my favorite tricks is stealing the patty from the veggie burgers and constructing my own sandwich or salad instead of eating it with the white bun. Being a vegetarian is the only high-moral road I take, though, so I usually nonchalantly drop the empty bun on the floor to avoid paying for it.
I also think eliminating Late Night is a smart choice, as the options available are obviously catered to insomniac stoners with the munchies.
And, speaking of late-night activities, your drinking habits are as important as, if not more important than, your eating habits. If you find yourself starting to bulk up, it's time to man up. Lounging around the keg at a party, sipping beer all night, is one way to meet guys ... and then have them stop texting you a few weeks later on account of the beer baby you've started to gestate.
Might I also suggest taking the stairs? With no air conditioning in most North Campus dorms, you should be back to your normal size soon.
Esti Frischling is a sophomore studio art major, so she literally has nothing better to do than answer your questions. She can be reached at
estidbk@gmail.com.
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