Campus Dining Services’ dining hall food typically provides some variety from entrees to desserts, meats to vegetables, high fat to low. But after 9 p.m., that isn’t the case.
No one who heads to Rollins Late Night or Baja Grill finds a variety of nutritious options. Instead, it’s often foods with more calories than their fast-food counterparts. CDS says that’s because students continue to purchase these calorie-heavy options. It says it’s only supplying what students demand.
But students are stuck between a rock and a hard place: eat unhealthy foods in dining halls, or find an alternative late at night —something that isn’t really an option for many students, who don’t have transportation to buy groceries off campus.
Many choose whatever Rollins Late Night or Baja is serving. CDS is translating that to mean students _want_ that food. If students don’t speak up, healthier options might never make an appearance.
Maybe the majority of students do want unhealthy options, but that doesn’t mean others’ rights to decide between healthy and unhealthy foods should be taken away.
Healthy options can only benefit students. Plenty of students look for healthier options after dark, but there just aren’t any to be found. Emporium Café was meant to be that option, but it closes at 11 p.m. and often doesn’t have much left by closing time. Plus, the food is all prepackaged, and many students getting off work late or taking a study break want a hot meal.
Many students don’t realize what’s in the food they get from CDS. With Zoutrition, CDS spells out the content of its food for students, but the website isn’t marketed much.
With that approach, CDS keeps information from students who are trying to eat healthy. CDS also uses “stealth health,” changing the content of certain items for the better, but not telling students. CDS should realize students are mature enough not to be deterred by the label of “healthy,” and that many actually crave it.
As much as students joke about the Mizzou 22, weight gain is common for college-age students. Many students are on the lookout for healthy options, which in dining halls, are either not there or not marketed. That’s just one more obstacle for students who are trying to stay healthy to hurdle.
In a state that’s projected to have an obesity rate of [more than 60 percent](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2012/9/24/missouri-obesity-ranking-stays-top-15-nationwide/) in less than 20 years, MU should make it as easy as possible for students trying to stay out of that statistic. CDS needs to realize when nutritious options are offered, many students will choose them.
In the same vein, students need to make their needs obvious. CDS is great about reading and responding to [emails](mufood@missouri.edu) and [tweets](https://twitter.com/mucampusdining). CDS is receptive to students’ needs, but it can’t change if we don’t say we want it to. Next time you want some vegetables at Rollins Late Night but the salad bar is closed, or you want something light from Baja, say something. If CDS sees how many students want healthier options, then something will have to change.
