Ditz

Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: Inside the Bubble

Media Credit: Linni Kral

Media Credit: Linni Kral Friend or foe? The grill features standard healthy options like fish, veggies, and chicken, but be wary of the mysterious oil spray that goes on prior to cooking.

A tough decision we've all faced.

After three years as a cross country and track runner for Oxy, I have found my way around the Marketplace and Cooler in search of more healthy foods.

I'm not going to lie, I have a sweet tooth and I know that I am not alone in craving foods that I know are "bad" for me- some people have a thing for greasy food while others prefer junk food. The first thing everyone should learn when trying to eat healthy is that it is okay for you to eat the foods that you're craving. In fact, it's healthy to do that as long as you eat those foods in moderation. That's right, you can eat those chocolate chocolate chip muffins or grill French fries every once and a while. Eating the things that you crave in moderation will stop you from over-eating them, but it's also important to remember not to treat yourself at every meal. Try indulging once or twice a day a week rather than everyday.

Okay, now let's try to make our way through the Marketplace menu. When you walk into the Marketplace in the morning (which you should all be doing), you have the easy grab-and-go pastries, hot cereal, cold cereal, fruit, waffles, and grill offerings. Many people are in a hurry in the morning and want that grab-and-go muffin, but keep in mind that most of those muffins have over 400 calories and 20 grams of fat, which is about one-fourth of your daily intake. If you want a muffin, the best choices are the low-fat ones.

For those of you who made it to the Marketplace bright and early looking for a sit-down meal, here are some tips for you. Don't overlook the cereals and don't be afraid to play with them a bit. Some interesting combinations are oatmeal with peanut butter, oatmeal with granola, or granola with yogurt. If you are feeling in the mood to get something from the grill station, I would recommend staying away from the hash browns. They may seem innocent but they are 519 calories and 17.9 grams of fat for a measly 4 oz. What you really need to be careful of at the grill station, is that although most of the things are pretty low in calories, they are high in fat content. A cheddar cheese omelet is only 206 calories, but it has 14.6 grams of fat and 442 mg of cholesterol. Since your daily cholesterol intake should be less than 200mg, you can avoid the heart attack by ordering your omelets with egg whites only.

Moving on from breakfast, lunch can be a daunting task at the Marketplace, especially with the swarms of people and long lines. For a quick fix hit the salad bar, you can add things like protein relatively easily with the addition of edamame, a hard boiled egg or tofu. When getting a salad, go easy on the dressing, that's where all the fat is hidden. The pre-made salads are generally good for you-just use common sense. If something has nuts, cheese, and a honey ginger dressing, it's probably not going to be as healthy as that baby spinach and fresh fruit salad. Soups are also good for you, the clearer they are the lighter they will be, although many of the heavier soups are still very good for you, such as the chicken and rice or lentil soup. I also recommend checking out the vegetarian items in the freezer; not just for vegetarians, these are great for days when the lines are out the door and nothing looks good. My favorite is the bean and cheese burrito.

Dinner is a good time to try some of the meals at the grill, pasta bar, and homestyle stations but approach with caution. The pasta bar can be a mess with the long line and oil overkill. Also be careful when you ask to mix sauces because they will often give you a normal scoop of each sauce, double the average serving size. When going for sauce if you really want pesto you should ask for a small amount so that your pasta is swimming in it. Another tip is that you can ask to go easy on the olive oil or to have none. And don't be afraid to bring your favorite veggie from the salad bar to have added to your pasta, broccoli's a good choice.

When approaching the homestyle station, it can be hit or miss. Gnocchi with marinara and veggies is healthy, grilled ham and cheese and French fries…not so healthy. Homestyle is also one of the best places to find culturally different foods, such as curries or enchiladas. The grill station is a bit of a minefield with the heavy quesadillas and the oil-sprayed meats. The healthiest things that you can get from the grill station will include salmon or chicken, but try them without buns. Sometimes red meat is good, especially for women, because it contains iron-their carne asada is especially delicious. The vegetables at the grill station are also grease-soaked so I would recommend getting a salad, baby carrots, or vegetables from the homestyle station.

When trying to eat healthy the Cooler should be a last resort, but if you find yourself stuck, try to follow some of the same advice mentioned above for the Marketplace. Salads are pretty good for you, but the dressings can be full of fat. And why not try a whole wheat pizza crust? Fruit, salad, and veggies in the case are pretty good as well, and so is the pita with hummus. There are several snack items that are also healthy, such as fruit snacks, Hagan Daaz fruit and cream bars, soft serve yogurt, rice cakes, cereal, and smoothies.

No matter where you're eating, remember it's okay to treat yourself sometimes-all in moderation.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools