How to not starve on campus

A lot of thought goes into the entire process of eating. What are you in the mood for? Is this healthy or just pretend healthy? (We’re looking at you, Naked Juice). Should you pack a lunch or buy at school? Whether you’re on campus at 7 a.m. or 7 p.m., knowing these few tips can help make your meals a more enjoyable experience.

Know when the rushes are

Every day is different of course because there tends to be more students on campus on Mondays and less on Fridays. However, on any day of the week, prime lunch time usually starts around 12 p.m. and often stretches to about 2 p.m. A good trick if you want to skip long lunch lines is to go to places like Costa Vida and Taco Bell early and order something for lunch. Then, later in the day when you have that break between classes, all you’ll need to do is heat up your food. Wait time shrinks down from 15 minutes to 45 seconds. Knowing the slow times versus the crowded hours can be the difference between a 5-minute way and a 15-minute wait. And as all college students know, time is incredibly important. Also, don’t forget to be mindful of opening and closing times.

Find the free food

There is always somewhere on campus serving free food. The demonstration kitchen in the Student Life and Wellness Center serve free breakfast every Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Every Wolverine Wednesday there is free popcorn at both Scoops locations. Events on campus such as Pizza & Politics also offer an opportunity to learn about current events and eat free pizza.

Find the food sources closest to you

There are places to get food in every building of the school. However, where you are can greatly vary the type and quality of food choices. The Sorensen Center is home to seven different eateries: Costa Vida, Subway, Pizza Hut, Rockin’ Robbies, CupBop, Sushi and Sodalicious. But, in the Computer Science building the only food options come from vending machines. Along with knowing where you can purchase a meal, it is also helpful to know where to find coffee and quick, easy snacks. Across UVU campus are four cafes. Bytes & Brew located on the first floor in the library, Green Line Café in the Physical Education building, Trades Café in the Gunther Technology building and H.P. Café on West Campus in the Health Professionals building.

Bring snacks from home

A handy way to quiet that gurgling stomach in the middle of class is to throw a couple snacks into your bag before heading out the door. Something like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a granola bar are perfect snacks to tide you over. Plus, you will get some protein and save a few bucks. Whether you’re brown-bagging it or splurging on that eight-dollar smoothie, remembering these tips can help reduce stress from eating on campus.