Food: What are Usually the Best Choices in the Dining Hall?

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"Dorm food isn't as bad as it is put out to be. And, in the first two weeks of the semester, you may actually enjoy the food. But, after those first two weeks, you'll start missing those home-cooked meals that mom makes"and long for something other than dorm food."  Brian Bamberger, University of Illinois

You've heard of the phrase "feast or famine"? That could apply to the first month of a college freshman's diet.

Why feast? Four words: All you can eat. Enough said.

Why famine? The food may be fine, but don't expect home cooking. Finicky eaters may be in for a rough ride.

Unlike at home, where a big refrigerator holds most of your favorites every day, the options are, in some ways, more limited at school. There's the dining hall, where most freshmen eat most of their meals; the limited food items students keep in their dorm rooms; and restaurants and fast-food joints located around campus.

Since it's not practical to cook much in your dorm, and it's not really affordable to eat in restaurants regularly, dorm dwellers tend to eat most of their meals in the dining hall"for better or worse, feast or famine. This chapter explores how students manage to eat what they want, take advantage of what's available, and stick to a reasonably healthy diet.

 Welcome to the dining hall, where the food is plentiful, the cups and plates are unbreakable, and the servers seem to use ice cream scoops to dish out everything from peas to potatoes to stuffing"it's something to do with consistent portion sizes, we're told.

The good news: Of the dozens of students asked about their dining hall experiences at schools around the country, only a few truly pan it. Almost all agree that the dining hall is what you make of it.

In other words, those who eat pizza and french fries every day will probably complain about the offerings, even as they start packing on the pounds as a result. Those who try different things on the menu and don't expect a gourmet meal every time they sit down usually find the food to be pretty decent.

Brian Bamberger (University of Illinois at Urbana"Champaign) says there's always something good to eat in the dining hall, although it often involves looking beyond the main hot dish. "The salad bar, sandwich bar, and cereal selections can salvage any meal. These often-healthier options allow for variety that won't make you tired of eating the same thing day in and day out."

Students repeatedly cite the salad bar as an example of making the most of your meal plan. And they're not talking about just lettuce, tomatoes, and a scoop of dressing.

You probably won't find finely prepared mixed-ingredient salads in your dining hall, and even the most extensive salad bar may not easily impress. But by taking the time to customize your meal, you can find something that matches your tastes and is healthy at the same time.