Packed lunches less expensive, healthier than cafeteria
By: Michelle Chance
MCC students have a few options when choosing what to eat for lunch: eat fast food off campus, eat at the cafeteria, coffee shop, or hotdog stand on campus, or bring their own packed lunch to school.
So which is the best economical and healthy option?
Brown bag it, according to experts.
“The benefits of packing one’s own lunch are innumerable,” said Lori Zienkewicz, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Faculty at MCC.
“When you pack your own lunch you directly control the quality of the ingredients or food you will be consuming. And, just as important, you control the portion.”
For the busy student on-the-go, fast food in-between class periods is a convenient option. However, according to Zienkewicz, it is also an unhealthy one.
“Some fast food establishments have value menus, but these items are not high in nutritional quality or nutrient density,” Zienkewicz said.
Purchasing food at a grocery store or market and packaging it at home has its benefits, both financially and nutritionally, according to Zienkewicz.
“Packing your own lunch or eating at home is often less expensive than eating out. I tell my students to always buy food, specifically produce, with the seasons,” Zienkewicz said. This allows you to purchase the fruits and vegetables that are plentifully in season, hence on sale, and if you eat with the seasons, you are getting variety throughout the year.”
“In the fall, that entails apples, squash, etc. In the spring, berries are plentiful,” Zienkewicz said.
Additionally, students can ensure a healthy lunch by including colorful options.
“Strive for five colors in the meal, at best. How can you pack a lunch that is full of natural color? Include a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grain items and lean meats, if desired,” Zienkewicz said.
Budget-weary students may worry that eating healthy may come at a higher cost in the checkout line.
This is not the case.
“You can find healthy and affordable food at all grocery stores,” Zienkewicz said. “Whether Wal-Mart or Whole Foods, everyone’s needs can be met. The key to healthy eating is focusing on color and a serious decrease of processed food.”
Healthy options on campus can be found, however can often be priced higher in comparison with brown bagged lunches and snacks.
“It’s too much money for low quality food,” said MCC student, Stacey Yarberry in regards to the meal options at the T-Bird Cafe. “I typically eat at Subway or something that’s convenient and affordable.”
“If a student does not like the seemingly high costs of healthy food on campus, then they should bring their preferred lunch and snack with them to campus.” Zienkewicz said. “Take control of your food intake and pack your own lunch. It’s worth it.”
John Milburn, Director of Dining Services at Chartwells, the company which makes and prepares the food at the T-Bird Cafe, said that the cafeteria offers healthy options that are priced competitively.
“We offer several options including but not limited to: sandwiches and wraps made to order with several choices of healthy ingredients, turkey burgers, garden burgers, low fat turkey taco meat, packaged salads and healthy snacks, sushi, made to order stir-fry, made to order pasta, and other healthy specials,” Milburn said.
According to Milburn, the average balanced meal, including a drink and snack, costs between $6 and $7 at the T-Bird Café.
However, fast food-type options like French fries and tater tots are the most affordable items on the menu.
“We do offer a value menu but it currently does not contain our healthiest items,” Milburn said.
Milburn said that off menu items are available to order, if a student requests it.
“The best thing that students can do when they come into the cafe, is ask. We are more than happy to listen to ideas for new items,” said Milburn. “If there is something that we don’t currently offer and enough people would like it, we would love to offer it.”
One healthy option at the deli inside the T-Bird Café is to get a sandwich as a salad instead, Milburn said.
“This cuts carbs and increases the vegetables that people are eating,” Milburn said. “Sadly, we are asked for off menu requests such as bacon cheese fries more often than we are asked for healthy alternatives.”
