So I came home today and realized I've gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks.. lol. I mostly eat at Centro and don't buy incredibly healthy things.
So where can I use my meal plan dollars to buy healthy, filling foods? I've heard Bridges is pretty good. (also, where is Bridges located ? )

Also, I'd prefer cheap, but I know that may not be possible. Also, I just bought a gym membership.

You bought a gym membership? Did you know it is free to use the gym at McMaster? Just use your student card.

Originally Posted by Bhaltair

You bought a gym membership? Did you know it is free to use the gym at McMaster? Just use your student card.

ummm.... not quite buddy.

Gym memberships cost money.

Originally Posted by Bhaltair

You bought a gym membership? Did you know it is free to use the gym at McMaster? Just use your student card.

You pay for Pulse, the weights/cardio area. Or you could just walk in the back door of it and pay nothing, but that may or may not work all the time.

Bridges is in that small building next to Wallingford

You can also get pitas at Keyes. They're pretty filling although the quality of them is dependent on who's making them...

Originally Posted by Bhaltair

You bought a gym membership? Did you know it is free to use the gym at McMaster? Just use your student card.

Pulse.

subway

http://www-athrec.mcmaster.ca/registration/students.htm

My bad, every registered students have a basic membership. Most of the area are accessible except Pulse.

"A Base Membership provides access to the athletic facilities at McMaster (except the Pulse Fitness Centre and Feather Family Climbing Wall). Base Membership privileges include access to open gym time, indoor track, squash courts, pool, outdoor track, saunas, members rates for instructional programs and use of day lockers."

Interesting!

Originally Posted by healthsci1

subway

Too expensive!

Farmer's market isn't too bad, but theres only so much you can do with vegetables and fruits..

Go to Fortinos? You're gonna have to cook your own food but at least you know what's in it.

Try to avoid anything fried (which is really difficult, i know, but it goes a long way). Try sandwiches and salads from the IAHS cafe. the non-fried stuff at bridges is relatively healthy (although rumor has it that the chili on flatbread is ridic fattening, but... yeah).

Also try getting fruits and veggies off campus at metro or fortinos.. it'll be fresher and inexpensive.

Originally Posted by Strategy

So where can I use my meal plan dollars to buy healthy, filling foods?

Haha, you're funny.

On campus, your options are very slim. Bridges is probably the healthiest, but that doesn't say a whole lot. Eating off campus/buying your own groceries are by far the best options.

Fortinos is really close to Mac, its just up Main. I'd heavily recommend it, even if they did stop carrying my favourite veggie dogs. The PC Blue Menu items are all affordable and healthy.

I'd echo the Subway suggestion- $5 foot longs are pretty reasonably priced in my books. Keep in mind though, if you're loading it up with meat, cheese and sauce it can get unhealthy quickly. Try to avoid sauce (or ask for less of it, if you can't live without it), and if you have to eat meat get chicken. Swiss cheese is also the healthiest they have.

Pita pit is another option, they accept your Mac meal plan card, but are a bit more expensive. I haven't tried the on campus pitas, so maybe they stack up favourably. If not, its just a short walk to pita pit! Same advice as subs.

And above all, watch what you drink! Alchohol can be an integral part of your university career, but isn't exactly healthy. If you're drinking sugary coolers or calorie filled beers, that could be part of your problem. Hard liquors are healthier, although if you're mixing you need to watch out for what you're mixing with. Try screw drivers or caesars, instead of say rum and coke.

And on that note, stop drinking pop! Its one of the unhealthiest things you can drink, and its quite easy to drink too much of it if you're buying meals on campus or in resaurants. Juice, water and tea are all healthier choices.

If you sign up for bread bin you'll get lots of great stuff. I think its $12 and then you get $20 of healthy, fresh produce.

Originally Posted by lizziepizzie

If you sign up for bread bin you'll get lots of great stuff. I think its $12 and then you get $20 of healthy, fresh produce.

I just want to clarify that BreadBin is actually a student food drive, specifically for students in need. No offense, but if you're living on residence, you probably have sufficient funds to eat enough, though not necessarily healthily. The Good Food Box is only one of BreadBin's services, in an effort to encourage healthy eating on campus.

That said, it is still a good idea to go for the Good Food Box. The only thing is I think you have to share because it'd be difficult to eat that many fruits and vegetables before it goes bad unless you have a good appetite!

Originally Posted by Marlowe

And on that note, stop drinking pop! Its one of the unhealthiest things you can drink, and its quite easy to drink too much of it if you're buying meals on campus or in resaurants. Juice, water and tea are all healthier choices.

On this same note... if you can go without the juice it would be even better. There's a lot of added sugars in juices and even the natural sugars you're better off to get them from the actual fruits than from the juice. I've cut out all drinks other than water in the last couple months and it's actually made me feel a lot better. So just try it out and if you can't do without the juice than just drink it in moderation.