Dining Hall 411

Navigating the choices in the Dining Halls can be a tricky task. Below we've included a few quick tips for healthy eating in the Dining Halls. If you would like more help planning a healthy balanced diet with dining hall choices, check out the Carolina Dining Services nutrition page.

• Pick the foods you plan to eat ahead of time so you are not tempted by the high fat/high sugar options once you get to the dining hall.
• Drink water throughout your meal so you are better able to guage your hunger.
• Eat a side salad before your meal so you can cross your veggie requirements off the to-do list for the day.
• If they are serving your favorite meal for dinner one night, make your breakfast and lunch selections extra healthy that day!  This does NOT mean to starve yourself all day, just make good choices.
• Try new foods for a change. If you went for pizza or cheeseburger yesterday, try the eggplant parmesan, tofu stir fry of garden burger today.
• Listen to your body. Pay attention to your own hunger cues and don't eat if you aren't hungry. Eat slowly and deliberately and be aware of how full you are so you don't overeat.
• Skip dessert sometimes or share with a friend.  Or, better yet, have fruit for dessert!
• Take home leftovers.