Fish Wish

In the mind of a trying-to-be health-conscious college student, walking into Johnson and Hardwick Cafeteria can be a bit discouraging.

There’s nothing to eat there. Or perhaps
the student just isn’t looking hard enough.
And that’s where the problem lies. A tray of cold fruit, cold whole-grain cereal, and whole-grain bread doesn’t sound too appetizing to a student once he’s just come in from the blistering cold Philadelphia
air.

J&H and the cafeteria in the Student Center do have healthy eating options. But those options don’t have much variety.

That factor is a deal breaker for dieters
– it’s greatly discouraging.

There is a “Vegetarian/Vegan Corner”
at J&H, but it’s not nearly enough to accommodate everybody (especially since it’s not available on Sundays).

One crucial component that both J&H and the Student Center lack is fish. Where is the fish? Beer-battered cod at J&H doesn’t count. Sushi at the Student Center is great, but it can’t substitute for a fillet of tuna or salmon.

A fish entree available for lunch and dinner is a wonderful alternative for people who want to eat healthy, yet also desire something hot that feels like a proper entree. Fish is filling, yet light. It’s not high in calories and it feels like a proper meal.

Although the demand for fish is great, the thought of fish provided by J&H, sitting in the steaming pans for extended periods of time is a turnoff.

While fish might not be on the menu yet, Temple has made one good decision toward healthier food choices. In September, Dining Services hired its first dietician, Julie Rhule.

Rhule is available for personal meetings
with students who wish to have nutrition
consulting or have questions about their diets or eating habits.

This is a great option for Temple to offer its students. College is a place where people constantly struggle with their weight. Stress from classes and social situations call for nutritional sustenance – that’s why it’s called comfort food. It’s a good service to provide students with guidance seeking that seek comfort through victuals.

The choices at Temple’s two cafeterias
aren’t vast. The food that is classified as a “bad choice” for dieters are quite tempting. In the absence of fish and other healthier eating options, Dining Services has made a wise choice of hiring Rhule.

Perhaps she can go catch the fish.