The resolutions made at the beginning of 2015 can still be a reality for students choosing to dine on campus.
As chain restaurants such as McDonald’s, McAlister’s Deli and Sonic recently “slimmed down” their menus and added nutritional information, more options have become available to consumers with varying nutritional needs.
New options and nutritional information both on and off campus can benefit students.
This information can help students make better food choices.
Grace Jeanfreau, a sophomore biology major, said students should “be conscious of portion control” according to their own appetites. Jeanfreau also said students should be willing to find substitutions such as fruit and protein snacks in place of fries and chips at these dining facilities
Students who live in on-campus housing are required to purchase one of the meal plans ULM offers.
These meal plans include a fixed Flex Dollars amount and a weekly meal allowance in the Schulze Cafeteria.
Leslie Lamartiniere, a sophomore elementary education major, said she chooses to eat at the SUB because of lack of time to stop and eat at the cafeteria.
However, Lamartiniere said the cafeteria “has a large variety of healthier foods.” She also said that she does not pay close attention to nutritional information but thinks other students would if they knew what information they could access.
Students using these meal plans might question the availability of menus and information regarding the calories, fats, sugars, sodium, and carbs in their meals. Accessibility to this information can help students keep weight under control and prevent excessive weight gain.
Aramark Dining Services provides campus dining options. Jessica Pratt, Aramark’s marketing manager, said nutritional information is available. This information will soon become even more accessible through several technological means.
“Each café has a nutrition card by it that describes the food and also lists the nutritional information. In the SUB, many of the menus list the calorie content,” Pratt said.
Pratt also said Aramark has partnered with MyFitnessPal and has listed all of their products’ nutritional information on the mobile application. She also said the updated campus dining website will soon list all of the nutritional information and will include full menus.
Nutrition and calorie information can be found both online and on campus at respective dining locations. Students who have specific food allergies can request a booklet to help them make healthier choices.
Those people with other special dietary needs such as such as vegetarians and individuals with diabetes or lactose intolerance also have additional options. The cafeteria and the SUB will now serve meals specifically to them upon request.
