When attending any type of university, food is one of the main sources of nutrition we rely on to get us through the day. But what if I told you that the diversification of foods is just as essential as them being present on campuses? 

Here at Eastern, we have three dining centers available to students: Stevenson Dining, South Quad and the Martin Luther King Jr Union (home to spots like Chick-fil-A and Qdoba). 

If anyone is anything like me, then you’d know that anything eaten for more than three days consecutively will cause you fatigue from trying whatever food it is, but it’s even different when it’s on a college campus. 

When eating at the dining centers mentioned, I always notice consistency. But not amongst just the dining centers architecture, but the actual menu items for students as well. 

When the menu items are mainly the same, how much you switch them up becomes just as apparent as the choice to keep the actual food itself the same. I know menus are changed on a two-week basis, but what’s being offered must change too. 

The same items on the menu at South Quad rotate every two weeks with the same food options, which can be quite unfulfilling at times.  

On the other hand, we do have the Martin Luther King Jr Union. This experience provides a bit more of a variation of items, in which you can choose from a literal corn dog or a rice bowl with meat and beans. 

With the exception of the Union, diversified food options aren’t amongst us as much as I’d prefer. 

Furthermore, preference isn’t just the issue, it also comes to a point where you have to consider allergy restrictions and dietary restrictions students may have. 

I’m allergic to things like peanuts and fish, which happen to be served within dining centers quite frequently. Gluten-free options are offered, in addition to meals cooked to avoid cross contamination. These items don’t go unnoticed, as they help the students who have certain dietary restrictions, but what if someone wants fresh produce? 

Given our busy class schedules, we are juggling between work and home life. A meal where it’s different yet nutritious is vital. 

As a result, I want to conclude by discussing that if these changes were implemented, I feel the turnout for student to campus ration would increase, due to the fact there’s something to actually live on campus for, as opposed to getting food from the supermarket. 

All in all, food is a non-negotiable in our lives. We don’t debate whether we deserve it, but the quality of said food isn’t always in our power. College is an experience of the unexpected, but even sometimes we want the unexpected, even when it comes to what we eat on a day-to-day basis. 

Tyrone Naylor can be reached at 581-2812 or tnaylor@eiu.edu.