1. Participate in food production to the extent that you can. Although living in a dormitory limits your ability to grow food, there are still things you can do to overcome your lack of space. Herbs such as basil and rosemary are easy to grow, and are compact enough to fit into your dorm room. Perhaps try to ask the college to permit students to have plots to grow their own food (if available). Any opportunity for a "green initiative" makes an institution look good.
2. Prepare your own food. Purchase a smaller meal plan, and make use of communal kitchens to cook your own food. You will be healthier, your food will taste better, and you should encourage other students to do the same.
3. Learn the origins of the food you buy AND the food that is served to you in the cafeteria. Schools should be encouraged to incorporate local produce into their food, to keep students healthy and support the local economy.
4. Learn everything you can about the food economy and the technology of industrial food production. You may not know what you are putting into your body. On average, food travels 1500 miles to make it to your table. Eating locally would also lessen fossil fuel impact on the earth.
5. Learn what you can about nutrition. Most students eat whatever sounds good, not is good. You might suffer from it in the future...for example; did you know your body can no longer digest milk fats? All that excess milk you drink stores deposits of calcium in your joints, contributing to arthritis later in life.
I think that you have some good ideas to help college students out with eating healthier. The fact about food travels 1500 miles before it reaches the table is alarming and it should motivate people to try and find the local fresh food markets. Also, although the use of communal kitchens are limited for some people, it is a great way to try cooking for yourself and make some new fresh food.
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