MCT Campus

Bad nutritional habits have become an epidemic in our country. We hear it on the news and in the classroom and everyone has their own theory of where these bad habits are derived from. Some say it starts in the home, but when an individual leaves home and goes off to college, any great eating habits they have developed are overcome by unhealthy on-campus eating choices, especially in the case of San Diego State. In the ring of eating options such as Panda Express and Sbarros Pizza, there is Sub Connection and Salad Sensations, but that is not nearly enough. We as students need more healthy alternatives for on-campus eating.

According to www.californiaprojectlean.org, “American children obtained 50 percent of their calories from added fat and sugar (35 percent and 15 percent, respectively), and only 1 percent at diets that resembled the Food Guide Pyramid.”

While this is an alarming statistic, it does not surprise me one bit. Just take a look at all of the unhealthy establishments we have here on campus such as Taco Bell and Rubio’s. These terrible eating habits form as children lay the foundation for bad habits later in life.
California Project Lean offers some eye-opening facts that SDSU should consider. First, “About 25 percent of what adolescents eat is considered junk food, such as deep-fried foods, desserts, regular soft drinks, candy, cookies, pies and cakes.” If you take a look in the East and West Commons, I’m surprised that only 25 percent of what we eat is junk. For those who live on campus, the percentage is considerably higher with only two establishments offering a decently healthy meal.

It is not just the food that is contributing to this epidemic, but what students are drinking as well. Adolescents are building a framework early for long-term diseases such as osteoporosis. “Female adolescents and young adult women (ages 9 to 19) do not meet the recommended intake for calcium … ” If you go and try to find milk on campus, chances are that it will take you a while to search through the sea of sodas and coffee that are offered as a quick way to quench your thirst. “Soda consumption has almost doubled in the last 20 years,” according to the Web site. This is a major contributor to the development of osteoporosis later in life because the lack of bone development during your early years can’t be made up later in life.

These are just a few important examples of why SDSU needs to overhaul its dining options. Students are indirectly trying to tell the university that, they too, want healthier places to eat. I walk into the East Commons on a regular basis and I seem to notice a trend. If you take a look at the amount of students in line for Sub Connection and compare it to the pizza place across the way or even Panda Express, there always seems to be a longer line. I believe that not to be a coincidence, but a clear cry for change.

Don’t get me wrong, it is great that we have an abundant amount of choices and some fine eating establishments on campus to dig ourselves an early grave, but eating at most of these places on a regular basis has drastic long-term implications for your health.

As mentioned above, school is just one of the many sources that contribute to what type of eating habits we establish down the road. Taking this into consideration, it’s time to oust the old, unhealthy establishments and bring in the new, healthier ones.

8212;This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.