Hey, just wondering what I should be expecting when I step into my first college cafeteria. What is the most common food in college? Please don't tell me it's all instant ramen and pizza left out for too long!
College food can indeed vary greatly by school, but it's definitely not all ramen and old pizza! In general, you can expect a mix of some staple foods and some more varied choices, depending on the day and the meal.
Breakfast options usually include staple items like scrambled eggs, sausage/bacon, pancakes/waffles, cereal, yogurt, and fresh fruit. For lunch and dinner, think along the lines of burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, pasta, salads, and sometimes stir-fry or tacos. Often, there's some kind of vegetarian or vegan options too.
A lot of colleges also aim to offer a rotating menu of different cuisines – you might have a Latin-inspired day, an Asian-themed meal, or a pasta bar, for example. Special dietary needs are typically accommodated as well, with menus including options for vegetarian, vegan, Kosher, Halal, or gluten-free diets.
Despite all that, it's pretty common for college students to have some instant meals (yes, including ramen noodles) in their dorm room for times when they're pulling an all-nighter or want to skip the trip to the dining hall.
Finally, many schools have convenience stores or small food courts with a variety of grab-and-go options, including pre-made salads, microwavable meals, packaged snacks, and beverages.
Remember, the goal is to keep a balanced diet and eat a variety of foods. Consider walking around the cafeteria to see all the options before you decide what to eat.
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