#maristdining

Today, more and more students are coming into college as vegans or vegetarians. It can be difficult starting out a new chapter of your life to begin with and worrying what you can eat at the dining hall shouldn’t be an added stressor. Never fear, vegan and vegetarian options abound in the dining hall! You’ll find several delectable dishes at the Vegetarian Station for lunch, including Cauliflower Buffalo Wings, Stuffed Poblano Pepper and Parmesan Asparagus; and for dinner: Singapore Rice Noodles! And did you know that Simple Servings sides are ALWAYS vegan? You can check it all out on the online menu or Bite app (a free app available to download to your phone). Look for the user-friendly vegan and vegetarian icons next to each dish. 

You can always find a plant-based soup at the soup station. If this doesn’t suit your taste buds, move over to the deli where a vegetarian option is always offered as a special. Even better, you can create your own protein/grain bowl at the salad bar. 

Worried about not getting enough protein? There are various vegan options offered at the salad bar and the grill. The grill offers veggie burgers daily and proteins at the salad bar includes tofu, hummus, edamame and more.  For our vegetarians, the salad bar also has eggs and various cheeses to choose from. Worried about breakfast? Marist offers a diabetes-friendly vegan/vegetarian breakfast protein bar loaded with granolas, Greek yogurt, hummus, pumpkin seeds, black beans and more! Just feeling a bowl of cereal? There are now various options of plant milks including soy, almond and coconut to choose from. 

If you still need more assistance meeting your needs, book an appointment with Registered Dietitian Marie Murphy, who can help create a plan that will work for YOU!

It’s a bizarre thought that almost two years from today I began my Nutrition and Wellness Communications internship with Sodexo. And what an enlightening two years, to say the least!

On paper, it might seem that the most important things I’ve learned have to do with allergens, macronutrients, mindful nutrition, and so on... no surprises there. In truth, however, the most impacting lesson I’ve learned from Sodexo is a more developed definition of wellness.

I used to think that wellness was a very independent sort of thing. You can stick to a healthy eating regiment all you want, exercise as often as studies recommend, and take care of your body, all of which are important. But without a healthy environment, a group of people who support and encourage your growth and effort, wellness is not whole. It’s this wholesome feeling of healthy community Sodexo gave me that I will miss the most when I’m in Florence next fall.

As you begin your summer transition - whether you’re starting a new job, finding your way back to an old community, or simply soaking up the sun - remember that wellness is loving what you do, and who you do it with. If you feel appreciated by, and appreciation for, the people surrounding you, you can expect an infinitely more wholesome sense of wellness and happiness.

Sodexo, I will miss you!

Happy Summer -