What I Eat in a Day: College Edition
JESSICA SIGSBEE // FLAT HAT MAGAZINE
Hello, fellow material girls. Like many of you out there, I eat food. So today, I’d like to take you on a journey chronicling what I eat in a day as a full-time college student. I feel this is an important topic to cover as many students have difficulty maintaining a balanced diet while away at school.
My fascination with healthy eating began after stumbling across an article by the Princeton Review ranking the College of William and Mary as one of the top colleges with the happiest students. This made me wonder: what sets students at the College apart?
Well, it all comes down to our balanced, nutritious, and delicious diets. Now, you might be wondering: “Didn’t a federal health inspector find several health hazards in many of our dining halls?” And to that, I say, yes. But in the words of an unnamed administrator: “Give me a break.” And how can we argue with that?
So, without further ado, let me take you through my WIEIAD.
10:55 a.m.: I begin my morning by waking up five minutes before class and snorting a line of stale Hot Cheetos dust to get the endorphins going. In my extensive dietary research, I found that spicy foods and corn-based products are full of great antioxidants that help boost the immune system.
11:30 a.m.: With my sinuses cleared and my immune system fully boosted, I make my way to Aromas Daily Grind for my coffee fix. I order a medium iced chai with oat milk to ensure that the hot barista knows I’m gay.
11:45 a.m.: I finally make it across campus and arrive at my 50-minute class 45 minutes late. Fortunately, I get out just in time for lunch and make my way to Center Court.
12:00 p.m.: Once swiped in, I meander through the dining hall, considering my meal options. I get a plate of chicken, and as I bite in, my taste buds are greeted by the delectable flavor of raw chicken. This makes me briefly consider the pros and cons of going vegan. However, I’m quickly snapped to my senses once I remember that the lettuce is kept too warm to consume and — allegedly — riddled with E. coli. While some may consider this a danger, I appreciate the variety of food-borne illnesses to choose from. With my appetite fully satiated, I make my way to class number two.
1:50 p.m.: After class, I’m in desperate need of a pick-me-up, so I take a hit of my blue razz vape for that extra oomph to get through the rest of my day. I’m not proud of this one, but we all have our vices.
4:30 p.m.: With classes finished for the day, my caffeine high begins to wane, so I swing by Wawa for a Bang Energy (this is the only bang I’ll get for a while). With drink in tow, I head back to my dorm to watch TikToks, longing for the touch of another human being.
6:00 p.m.: When dinner time rolls around, I head to my favorite dining hall, Marketplace. After nearly a year on campus, I have yet to figure out what constitutes a meal swipe. From what I have deduced, a sandwich, chips, and a drink costs three meal swipes and my first-born child. With that in mind, I settle for a Boar’s Head pickle.
12:00 a.m.: After a long day, I unwind by shotgunning a Natty Lite and finishing off a bag of Cinnamon Toast Crunch I found in my roommate’s snack stash. With my belly and heart full, I lull myself to sleep by listening to my inner demons battle for dominance.
Thank you for joining me on my “What I Eat in a Day” journey. College is a tricky time for finding a meal plan that works best for you. I can only hope that my experiences can serve as a roadmap for becoming a healthier, happier student.
Until next time,
I.B.S