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Five Tips for Eating in the Dining Centers

A chef makes stir-fry in an industrial-size wok.

Our tips for eating in the dining centers are based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) MyPlate diagram.

MyPlate is the current nutrition guide published by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, a food circle depicting a place setting with a plate and glass divided into five food groups. Vegetables and fruits represent half of the plate and proteins and grains represent the other half. Dairy is the smallest portion.

The Tips

  1. Eat Balanced Meals - A great way to ensure you are getting optimal nutrition is to model your plate after the USDA My Plate Guidelines. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables, a quarter of your plate a lean protein source and the other quarter a whole grain. Also, strive to include three servings of low-fat dairy per day.
  2. Be Creative! Use multiple stations in the Dining Centers to create healthy meals. For example, on Taco Day, utilize the Taco station for ground beef and salsa. Then visit the salad bar to get salad greens, black beans, corn, peppers, etc. Combine all ingredients and you'll have a healthy taco salad! Don’t be afraid to try new things!
  3. Choose Water - It is important to stay hydrated throughout the day in order to stay focused and alert. Water recommendations vary based on gender, height, and weight, age, activity level, etc, but the common recommendation is to drink eight, eight-ounce glasses of water per day.
  4. Don’t Skip Meals - Consistency is key and hanger is real! A steady eating schedule will help prevent overeating and low blood sugar. It will also help you stay happy and focused.
  5. Ditch the Diet Mentality - It is important to make nutritious food choices in our dining centers, but this doesn’t mean you can never have a Bearcat Claw again. All foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle. Stick to portion control and everything in moderation.