Viveca Stucke ’26
Opinions Editor
Throughout my journey in college, a challenge for both myself and many of my peers has been navigating our nutrition as we transition into independent living. During my childhood, my mother instilled in me a strong appreciation for vegetables and a well-rounded diet. She encouraged broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and creatively incorporated ingredients like squash, cauliflower, and even eggplants (despite my reluctance) into our meals. Her methods ensured that my sister and I received essential nutrients and grew up with an understanding of a balanced plate, recognizing how food served as a primary source of energy.
However, as I approached my time at college, I encountered Kimball Dining Hall, to which I share a rather complex relationship with. Initially, I struggled with Kimball, harboring a sense of frustration towards it because it lacked the delectable and scrumptious dishes that my mother used to make. I found it challenging to accept Kimball’s role in my life as it represented my adaptations to a new reality.
Once I made the change, progress came gradually. Instead of prioritizing a balanced diet, my focus shifted onwards: seeking out meals that brought me happiness, improvising with the options at Kimball to create comforting dishes, rather than nourishing ones. At the times I did not go to Kimball, my hunger was supplemented by Croads mozzarella sticks or Kraft Mac and Cheese cups from my dorm. However, paired with inadequate sleep, these meals were not sufficient to sustain my day to day lifestyle. I found an absence in the energy that I needed, inspiring me to seek alternative sources like Celsius or Cool Beans coffee.
However, this year, I decided to embark on a new approach, viewing Kimball through a fresh lens so that I could best utilize it. I began by braving the omelet bar, embracing one of my favorite meals and kick-starting my day with a healthy source of protein. However, my true sanctuary emerged at Kimball’s Stir Fry and Pasta Action station, where I found grace, light, and a beacon of hope.
The control granted by this station has empowered me to create balanced meals that are tailored to my preferences. With the option to select my favorite ingredients, I can choose my favorites to create the perfect dish of my choice. The wide variety of vegetables offers the opportunity to incorporate more of what I love into my meal, allowing me to optimize my nutrients and make a more informed decision about what I consume. In addition, the selection of protein ensured a well-rounded diet, guaranteeing a broader spectrum of nutrients.
Since adopting this method for my meals, I have experienced a significant boost in energy levels throughout the day, and I have even noticed improvement in my overall health. Nutrition is often overlooked in college, yet it is undeniably vital, but tropes like ramen noodles and mac and cheese cups often dominate the diets of students. However, by taking more control over my food choices through my new methodology, I have become more mindful, recognizing the crucial role of a well-balanced diet in fueling me through my schedule.
Featured Image Courtesy of Holy Cross Magazine
Copy edited by Lauren Backstrom
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