Healthy food kicks on campus

Is it really so hard to stay healthy at university? Hannah Solle critiques the local cuisine…

It is agony resisting the offers of half-price Oreos or 89p bags of Haribo in Rootes Grocery Store; trust me, I know. Whilst treats might be okay once in a while, a substantial and healthy lunch is what will really help to power through the mountains of work we all have. Quick sugar fixes will only provoke spots and possibly even lead to weight gain – so, instead, if you are dieting or just fancy a change of lifestyle, here are a few of the healthy options on campus:

Dirty Duck – Jacket Potato with Cheese and Beans £4.00/£3.60

Pretending to crave a salad is just a big fat lie, we all love the carbs. A jacket potato is the best option to stay healthy and, more importantly, full. Out of all the available toppings at the Duck to go with a jacket, beans and cheese is probably the best all-rounder. Despite the fact that the cheese and onion option may be slightly lower in calories, beans are much more filling and are a good source of fibre, which means that you are less likely to have to make that mad, self-denying dash to the vending machine after lunch.

Bar Fusion – Thai Hot and Sour Soup £5.50

To escape revision for a bit, visit Bar Fusion to taste this soup for lunch. The main flavours are chicken and shrimp, which, whilst not initially sounding substantial, does contain noodles (the age-old student favourite). It is quite expensive in comparison to some other lunch options on campus but if you feel pretty #yolo about buying junk food from Rootes Grocery store, then you can definitely justify this healthy treat!

The Bread Oven – ‘Skinny Bird’ Baguette £2.95

As it hints in the name, this baguette is the perfect choice for when you crave bread but do not want to indulge in lots of extra calories due to a heavy filling. This baguette is filled with turkey, hummus, lettuce and tomato. Turkey is low in fat and has a very similar taste to chicken, so you aren’t missing out on flavour. If you’re trying to get lean then its good news for you as the chick peas in the hummus provide an extra protein boost!

The Library Café – Sushi

Prices for food in the chillers are determined by price bands. Sushi is in one of the more expensive price bands but is a great alternative to a sandwich, especially when trying to cut down on carbs. Although Sushi does contain rice, you’ll feel less like you might explode than if you’d just devoured a whole French stick – oops. The rolls are filled with vegetables and fish, boosting omega 3 levels, a key component of the diet which is often overlooked in Iceland fish fingers, beans and chips – student style.

University House Restaurant – Omelette made to order

Omelettes offer an opportunity to miss-match whatever you fancy and are very healthy, with eggs being a great source of protein but also having low calorie and fat content. Omelettes are a great chance to pack in some of your 5 a day during lunchtime without really realising it. Served hot and freshly made, they are a satisfying choice which has the potential to be as nutritious as you like – swap cheese for extra tomatoes or mushrooms to really embrace the health hype.