By: Emma Brown, Nutrition Graduate Student Finding food and creating meals at SIUE just became a little harder. Due to COVID-19, and with fewer students residing and attending classes on campus, the university food and dining had to cut back services. Not to worry, the student athletes on campus can still find plenty of healthy food options at the Morris University Center (MUC) and around campus. You already know the athletic department provides student athletes with healthy snacks in the Vadalabene Nutrition Center, so let’s get started on your campus food exploration. You will learn how to navigate university dining services, create healthy meals at home or in residence halls, and find additional food assistance resources across campus.
You may have already noticed that dining services in the MUC has taken on a new landscape due to COVID-19. There are fewer tables for dine-in seating, as well as social distancing regulations to help reduce meal time gatherings. However, the real change that might impact you is unfortunately fewer available food options. So, when you are looking for food, the Grab n’ Go sections is where you can find fruit and vegetable cups, sandwiches, premade salads, muffins and other options. Chick-fil-a has re-opened and offers grilled chicken options, salads, and a fruit cups for healthy fueling. Entrees offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. This part of the MUC is always open and the menu changes to keep a variety of choices available. Eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy are always offered at breakfast time. The Garden Patch offers fresh salads with a variety of different salad base options, like spinach or spring mix. The salad toppings range from bacon bits, ham, sunflower seeds, tomatoes and more fresh choices. Low fat dressings are also offered at this station. A gluten free station is available right next to Entrees. This section is not very large, but it does cater to the individuals that are sensitive to, or cannot have gluten. Boss Burgers offers breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. Customizable omelets are made fresh upon request during breakfast time. On the other side of campus, Freshens, which is located over in the Vadalabene Fitness Center, offers customizable smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, paninis, and many other fast, healthy options. The hours of operation are all subject to change depending on the status of COVID-19. This can make it hard to plan and be consistent with meals, however, remembering what food is always offered can alleviate some stress caused by food availability. Cooking in the residence hall is a challenge on its own, but once you learn a few tips it will come naturally. The website EatingWell, full website provided in references, provides some simple and healthy meal ideas and recipes that can be made in a dorm or at home. Overnight oats, English muffins with peanut butter and bananas, salads, Greek yogurt bark, and many other delicious options are available on this website. Creativity is always a helpful asset when it comes to making healthy meals and snacks. Even without COVID-19, 34%-59% of college students in the U.S. experience food insecurity. Student athletes are no exception to this saddening statistic. While most student athletes may have more access to food than other students, they still may not be have sufficient enough food to meet the high demand and volume of food needed for optimal sports performance. There is also the possibility that student athletes may have other friends on campus who are in dire need of food. Here at SIUE, the Cougar Cupboard Food Pantry is available to help support any, and all students in need. Please visit the Cougar Cupboard on the SIUE website for more information. I have listed multiple food sources as well as the food that they provide. I hope this information is helpful and makes finding, or even making, meals much easier on and off campus. References
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Contributing AuthorsSIUE Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate Students See More Helpful Nutrition Tips Here
April 2023
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