Vegetarian in College?!
Vegetarian in College?
I just started college this year and am having a hard time with the food choices (they lie when they say there are vegetarian options). We have to have a meal plan and I am getting really sick of pizza and salad. Are there any ways to get more interesting food that won't cost a lot? There is a health food store down the road, but they are pretty expensive.
Answers:
I know what you mean, I had the same experience in college. Until I got out of the dorms, it was rough. I ate a lot of cereal, salads, rice, etc...
You've probably paid for the meal card as well, so it's difficult to fork out more money for good food. It sort of depends on the type of college town you are in..if more 'liberal', then you may find housing cooperatives that are vegetarian and allow guests to come to the meal. Madison, WI, for example, has tons of those. People who live there are a great resource as well for finding cheap veggie eats.
It's tough without a kitchen. If you have a hotplate, noodles are an option, but those also get old real quick. But, you could try to keep it interesting by making a peanut sauce or something...that doesn't really take a kitchen to make (peanut sauce).
Essentialy, you may just have to tough out this year and get into housing (i.e. NOT dorms) as soon as possible. One nice thing about the housing coops is that in many, you pay a 'flat' monthly rate for food (back in the early 90's, I paid only 60 bucks a month) and the home is stocked with veggie food for the month. And...you can really learn to cook there.
You may also consider getting off of the meal plan and finding food elsewhere.
I remember that they also advertised 'veggetarian choices' and that helped sell me on the food plan. When I got to the school, it simply wasn't true. Good luck! Veggies for victory!!!!!
How about veggie sandwiches? Or do the Boca burger route. I personally love beans and rice like red beans and rice (sort of spicy cajun flavor) or black beans and rice (with sour cream and onions). You can also try the packaged pasta - noodles and sauce.
Since you are already paying for the meal plan, I would try to focus my efforts on the cafeteria, rather than purchasing a lot of food outside of your meal plan. Fill out a comment card and/or talk to someone in the cafeteria about the lack of vegetarian options. Offer specific suggestions about what YOU would like to see them serve.
Someone almost like u here. Read maybe it will help:
http://weight-loss.fitness.com/recipes/7...
There is also this book, cheap. about 12 bucks:
The Starving Student Vegetarian Cookbook : Over 150 Recipes For Qick, Cheap, and Delicious Meals (Paperback).
U might like this site too, lots of recipe:
http://www.useekufind.com/vegetarian.htm...
http://www.bootsnall.com/guides/05-03/ve...
Where do you go? Depending where you are at, you may be able to get them to serve more options. The smaller schools will be more likely to listen. Get some friends together and start up a campaign for more food options.
Since you are paying for the meal plan, I would try to get more vegetarian options in the cafeteria. These links can help you with that:
http://www.peta2.com/college/cyc-veganiz...
http://www.peta2.com/college/c-eatupspea...
http://www.vegsource.com/jo/qa/qadining....
As far as cheap things to keep in your dorm and not bother with the cafeteria:
http://www.vegcooking.com/shoppingguide....
http://www.peta.org/accidentallyvegan/...
http://www.vegcooking.com/backtoschool.a...
http://www.vegcooking.com/transition.asp...
http://www.vegfamily.com/vegan-teens/col...
http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post...
Just call your school and tell them you want vegetarian options, and you feel the misrepresented the veggie options when you bought the meal plan. The same problem occured at my school, but when some people complained, they started offering a lot of vegetarian foods. We now have a huge salad bar, fruits, breads, french fries, green beans, etc. They also make interesting veggie dishes, like portabello sandwhiches, veggie wraps, and veggie stir fries.
Good luck!!
Can you buy your own food and cook in your dorm? There is a great book called "The starving students vegetarian cookbook" and it's wonderful.
You can get whole grain pastas. They are super good for you and fairly cheap. Get a different veggie to go with them every day. One day have zucchini, one day spinach, one day kale.
Whole grain bread for sandwhiches. With cucumber, tomato and cheese if you like. If you aren't vegan that is.
Quinoa is a very hearty grain. You can make a large batch of it. Make it porridge style for brekkie. Have it soup style for lunch.