A Discussion on Student Eating Habits

It is a well-known stereotype that students divulge in vast amounts of ramen, microwavable dinners, and macaroni and cheese while in university. 

The stereotype is not based with out reason, as the quick, albeit unhealthy, meals are common grocery items for many universities or college students. 

“I used to stay in dorms, and I bought an entire flat of Mr. Noodles…and I just lived off of it for a couple of months,” said Abbie Johnson, a second-year student at the University of New Brunswick. 

 

The reasoning for such eating habits was a lack of counter space in the kitchenettes the dorms provided and access to fresh ingredients.

Johnson said that while the processed ramen was great for late-night snacks, it took a toll on her health and left her “feeling like trash” and caused her skin to break out. 

In the fall, Johnson moved into her first apartment and rarely goes a day without cooking her own home-cooked meals, or preparing fresh meals for later in the week. 

Now that she has access to a full kitchen, she is now happy to cook to her heart’s content. 

 

“Nothing reminds me more of home than having an actual home-cooked meal, and most of the things that I learned, I learned from my own house. So to bring home with me, why not make my own meals? It’s also a bit cheaper, more affordable, and just a lot of fun to cook with people,” said Johson.

On top of the economic benefits, Johnson finds that it helps her mental health and soothes her homesickness. 

“I find a lot of joy in cooking. I grew up around having home-cooked meals all the time…My love of cooking and my love of baking came from [my mother], so I just keep doing it to this day.”