Healthier food options found at the commons

By Maria Perry |Staff Writer|

Limited food options at CSUSB should make students think twice about what kind of nourishment they need to be consuming.

The two main on-campus food locations are the Student Union and the Commons.

I think the Commons provides more healthier food option than the Student Union. While it may still serve a lot of greasy food, the Commons at least gives people the choice between eating healthy or eating junk food. The food is prepared right after you order, making it fresher.

The Student Union has mostly fast food places while the Commons has different stations where students can get food.

In our hectic and often rushed schedules, we tend to go for what is fast and affordable.

We tend to buy food that we find most satisfying, in taste, quality and desire. Sometimes we are influenced by where our friends tend to congregate.

When asked how he decides where to eat, student Luis Muñoz said, “In the Student Union because I like that they have more of a variety of food. The Commons just becomes too crowded and I don’t know that many people in the Commons, while I know more people in the Student Union.”

When asked whether the Commons or the Student Union had healthier food Muñoz said, “I would definitely have to say the Commons. They have more access to vegetables and fruits while the Student Union has more greasy Junk food.”

Student Eloy Carlin uses a different method when it comes to choosing where to eat.

“I don’t really look at the healthiness, I just look at the quality of the food. If it tastes good, I eat it,” said Carlin.

Julian Szutu, when asked about which is healthier was indifferent to both locations.

“The Commons because everything is freshly made,” said Szutu. “In reality, it’s all fast food here, minus the fruit stand outside.”

The Student Union still has healthy options such as Subversions, a sandwich place, and the Coyote Market, a snack store which allows the students a little more choice. Although it still has mostly junk food.

These places give the students more freedom in deciding what they eat and how their food is prepared.

Only downside about the Commons is a large number of people wait in line, sometimes it takes a while for your order to be taken and food prepared.

While one venue may be healthier than the other, they both still need some improvements.

John Shiplay and Luis Muñoz both recommended vegetarian or vegan food places for those that are vegetarian, vegan, or just want to have a healthier diet.

Most of the people I interviewed also asked for more diverse food places such as authentic Mexican, Chinese, or Vietnamese food.

At the end of the day it all comes down to our eating decisions and what we put into our bodies, even though the school provides us with limited options, they have not limited our ability to choose.