The University of Memphis harbors an abundance of restaurants on and near campus that include healthy and nutritious options to help students stay atop their studies.
Healthy eating has become more popular among college-aged students as some try to break the stereotype of gaining the “freshman 15,” the idea that students going into college will gain about 15 pounds their first year from an improper diet.
Mallory Cox, an alumni dietitian major at the U of M, advocates for the benefits of not only physical health but mental health, as well, through eating healthy food.
“Food is equally important to the health and strength of one’s mind and inner body as it is to the outer body,” Cox said. “The absence, for instance, of a diet that includes protein and complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains or fiber) can greatly affect not only mood but also physical energy.”
Cox stresses the importance of eating healthy because of the impact it has on students’ ability to learn and perform in the classroom.
“For a student, this could mean higher stress levels or feelings of being constantly tired. It is important that students are aware of what it is they are fueling their bodies with in order to achieve their most optimal educational performance,” Cox said.
Because full-time students spend much of their time on campus, selecting healthy foods at campus dining locations is essential to keeping a healthy diet.
Matt Perry, the district marketing manager at Aramark, helps Tiger Dining find more healthy eating options for students.
“Tiger Dining provides multiple resources for helping students make well-informed, healthy decisions when dining on campus,” Perry said.
Perry and the Tiger Dining team supply students with calorie information located on all menu boards on campus, monthly health and wellness programs, gluten-free options, vegetarian entrees and sides, as well as resources in the Green Zone at the Tiger Den which provides vegan options.
Kennedy Key, a worker in the University Center, spends most of her time on campus. She eats many of her meals on campus and said she is happy with the selections from the restaurants.
“The U of M has done a fantastic job with incorporating healthy foods into their PODs and restaurants so that students like me don’t have to feel like their only options are fried foods and fast food chains,” Key said.
Key tries to stay healthy by eating less fried food and more of the healthy fruit, vegetable and grilled options at Tiger Dining locations.
“My go-to while I’m on campus is picking up a fruit smoothie and a Caesar salad from the POD, or grabbing grilled chicken and a side of fruit from Chick-fil-A,” Key said.
Many healthy options are available around campus for on-the-go students with off-campus jobs and housing.
Mary Morgan Hawkins, an organizational leadership major at the U of M who juggles her job and education, said healthy food is what keeps her at her best throughout the semester.
“I am a full-time student and work full time, so I have to give 110 percent always,” Hawkins said. “Since I’ve started dining at restaurants with healthier options, I have seen my energy levels rise drastically, and I’ve noticed I am less exhausted at the end of each day.”
Hawkins said the university area off campus has some of the best healthy restaurants. Her favorite restaurant is City Silo in East Memphis which provides healthy alternatives to anything sold in a typical cafe or market.
“This area has awesome places to get nutritious options that are all between five and 15 minutes from campus,” Hawkins said.
Along with a plethora of fresh restaurants surrounding campus with healthy food selections, there are PODs located in various buildings around the U of M campus. These stores stock quick, on-the-go snacks and meals for students in a rush who don’t have the option to leave campus.
