Diet Talks@Mac
Balancing between class schedules and irregular meal times can be difficult. And, being able to find healthy, suitable options can be even harder! However, regardless of your dietary choices or needs, there is bound to be an option on campus to suit your tastes. We interviewed four students with varying diets on their favourite campus meals, and their tips on eating healthy!
Vegan DIET
NAME: Madeline Donnelly
YEAR: 3
PROGRAM: H. Life Sciences
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: McMaster Dance Club, Volunteer Dance Teacher at a retirement home, and works at a bridal shop
1. What is your diet? Any pros or cons?
My diet is vegan which means that I don’t eat any animal products or animal by-products. The pros of the diet are that I am guilt-free, I feel healthier, and I always get my servings of fruits and vegetables. It can also bring about interesting dinner conversation! Some cons of being a vegan are eating out (in terms of cooking surfaces and cross-contamination), getting asked where you get your protein, and being a magnet for ethical debates.
2. Favourite places to eat on campus? Best campus meal?
Bridges is definitely my favourite place to eat on campus! But, I also enjoy the spinach wraps at La Piazza, the ‘Make Your Own Salad’ at Centro and the hummus pitas from A La Carte.
3. Tips on how to stay healthy with this diet.
Experiment! Variety is key, there are so many interesting vegan foods out there and trying them makes it easier to answer the classic ‘where do you get your protein?’ question.
4. Personal craving
When I first went vegan I constantly craved canned tomatoes (weird, I know). Recently though, I’m having a huge avocado obsession.
Gluten-Free DIET
NAME: Chantal Labonté
YEAR: 4
PROGRAM: Honours Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: VP External PNB Society and Volunteer Coordinator for the MSU Peer Support Line
1. What is your diet? Any pros or cons?
I follow a gluten-free diet. Personally, eating gluten-free has increased my quality of life; although I am rather restricted when I eat out due to possible cross-contamination, I understand that is not worth cheating on the diet since I get very sick if I do.
2. Favourite places to eat on campus? Best campus meal?
East Meets West Bistro (in Mary E. Keyes Residence) has several dishes that can be made gluten free. Their chef has experience with people with celiac so they understand the concerns of someone like me. They take every step possible to avoid cross-contamination and their staff members are very knowledgeable. I really enjoy their nachos and pizza.
3. Tips on how to stay healthy with this diet.
Some people choose to eat gluten free as a means to lose weight. Although cutting out gluten and wheat may lead to weight loss; it is important to keep in mind that specialty gluten free products (muffins, cookies, bread) usually have large amounts of sugar.
4. Personal craving
Recently, I have been craving Chinese takeout (egg rolls and chicken balls) and Subway sandwiches! I have yet to find a gluten free Chinese restaurant or gluten free subs that compare to Subway’s.
Lactose-Free DIET
NAME: Erika Geremia
YEAR: 4
PROGRAM: English program
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Worked at 1280 and Google Student Ambassador for McMaster
1. What is your diet? Any pros or cons?
I follow a lactose-free diet. Although I find having lactose intolerance quite easy to accommodate, it is super restricting to someone who loves ice cream, milk shakes, and other dairy products. Even so, there are many different accommodations at McMaster geared towards people who can not ingest lactose, such as Starbucks and Union Market. One of the main issues that comes with this restriction is the cost increase in buying lactose free milk, almond milk, or soy in comparison to buying regular milk. One of the pros of this dietary restriction comes from the potential increase of
vitamins and nutrients in some dairy alternatives.
2. Favourite places to eat on campus? Best campus meal?
On campus, my favourite place to eat is The Phoenix. The atmosphere combined with an extensive menu makes it a great place for students to go. I really enjoy their spring rolls and their sandwich selection.
3. Tips on how to stay healthy with this diet.
- Make sure that you are getting the minerals you need through lactose-free alternatives that don’t upset your body.
- If you really have a craving for something with lactose in it, there are pills you can buy that may prevent a negative reaction from happening in your body.
4. Personal craving
Forever craving pizza.
Omnivore DIET
NAME: Muhammad “Muneeb” Shoaib
YEAR: 2
PROGRAM: Chemical Biology
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Teen homework club volunteer and Badminton
1. What is your diet? Any pros or cons?
My diet differs depending on the day of the week and if I’m in school or not. As an omnivore, I eat a broad spectrum of foods, but generally in a day I will eat oatmeal with milk, sandwiches, granola bars, fruit and pasta with meat. My diet is pretty structured so that it helps with digestion, also I try to incorporate different types of foods. Unfortunately, my diet lacks variety and vegetables for the most part.
2. Favourite places to eat on campus? Best campus meal?
In my opinion, the subs are the best value in terms of meals on campus as they have a variety of vegetables and are very filling. However, one of my favorite places to eat on campus would be Bridges and East Meets West Bistro.
3. Tips on how to stay healthy with this diet.
Adding more vegetables to this diet would be beneficial. The hard part of this is that vegetables are sometimes pretty expensive and they can spoil quickly.
4. Personal craving
I personally crave sweet things (i.e. baked goods) because they are satisfying, and meat because it is filling.