Brooke Egerman

Dr. Gabriela Rios

ENC 1102
6/9/14

How does being on a college budget affect students access to quality food?

Tsiberman, Lana. "Campus life nurtures bad eating habits." The Connection. N.p., 19
Apr. 2010. Web. 4 June 2014. <http://www.crcconnection.com/2.9558/campus-life-
nutures-bad-eating-habits-1.1369574#.U46dCl7xUxc>.

In Campus life nurtures bad eating habits, Lana Tsiberman provides evidence
that the college lifestyle creates bad eating habits that lead to long-term effects.
Specifically, Tsiberman argues that the rush of college life leads students to sacrifice
nutritional values for cheap and fast, but less nutritional options. As the author herself
puts it, Some of these bad habits include constantly eating on the run, fast food, and not
eating enough wholesome food. Although some people believe if students have the
money for college, then they can afford to eat healthy, Tsiberman insists that because
students are always on the run and have a small budget, they dont have the time or
money to eat the correct diet. In sum, then, her view is that students are in a way
influenced to make bad diet decisions, and it negatively impacts their studies.
I agree with her. In my view, the argument that Tsiberman makes is completely
true. For instance, from my personal experience I know that what she says is quite
accurate and Im constantly influenced to make bad dieting decisions by cheap prices and
fast food. In addition, I find that if I do make the bad decision, then I feel lethargic the
next day. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that students would buy these
foods regardless. Yet, I would argue that students buy these foods because of the low
prices and speed of delivery. Overall, then, I believe campus life does nurture bad eating
habits --an important point to make given I live in an environment shaped by this every
day.


Kolodinsky, Jane, PhD., et al. "The use of Nutritional Labels by College Students in a
Food-Court Setting." Journal of American College Health 57.3 (2008): 297-302.
ProQuest. Web. 5 June 2014.

In The use of Nutritional Labels by College Students in a Food-Court Setting,
Jane Kolodinsky explains the affect of nutritional labels on college students food
choices. Specifically, Kolodinsky argues that providing nutritional information does have
an impact on the choices students. Although some people believe that students would eat
unhealthy either way, Kolodinsky insists that it is the prices and lack of time that pushes
students to choose the unhealthy, fast foods. As the author herself puts it, Despite the
overall positive feedback about labeling, several other factors came into play regarding
food purchases namely, price and convenience. In sum, then, her view is that when
given the proper information, students are more likely to choose the healthier option, but
if the unhealthier option is cheaper or faster, students are likely to choose that.
I agree. In my view, the argument that Kolodinsky makes price and convenience
can affect the food choices students make. For instance, if a student is on their way to
class and the line for the salad is longer than the line for pizza, the student will likely
choose the pizza. In addition, if getting a bag of chips is cheaper than a fruit salad, the
student will likely buy the chips instead. Some might object, of course, on the grounds
that there are plenty of college students that do eat healthy. Yet, I would argue that price
and convenience do play a role. Overall, then, I believe that college students budget can
affect their food practices --an important point to make given the amount of students in
college and the affect on their health.

Radcliffe, Shawn. "Nearly 60 Percent of College Students Are 'Food Insecure'."
Healthlines RSS News. N.p., 30 Jan. 2014. Web. 8 June 2014.
<http://www.healthline.com/health-news/food-nearly-60-percent-of-college-students-
food-insecure-013014>.

The article Nearly 60 Percent of College Students are Food Insecure by
Shawn Radcliffe talks about how food insecurity (meaning unable to find or afford safe
and healthy foods) is affecting college students and their life. Furthermore, the author
argues that the inability for students to afford or find nutritious foods is crippling
students physical and mental health. This was all found in a new study published in the
Journal of Nutrition and Education, which stated that 59% of students at a midsize
university in Oregon were food insecure at some point during the previous year. That
means they had limited or uncertain access to nutritious and safe foods. Some people
say that college students choose not to eat healthy, but this author argues that it is not a
choice, but a crisis where students dont have access to nutritional foods either due to
money or inability to find it.
I agree with the author. As a college student I would love to eat nutritional foods
such as fruits and vegetables, as well as make homemade food every night, but on my
budget, I cant afford a diet such as that. Produce is typically one of the most expensive
things at the grocery store, and fresh cut meat is also at a large premium. So while some
may argue that I make a choice to not eat healthy, I would argue that I cant afford to
make the nutritional choice and eat what I would prefer. I believe most college students,
given the access to nutritional food at an affordable price would pick that over the less
healthy option at a similar price, which is an important point to make given that this is a
pandemic that is affecting the lives of every college kid in the country.

Ware, Gabrielle . "Eating Healthy on a Budget - Not So Impossible After All."
Northland's NewsCenter: News, Weather, Sports. N.p., 19 July 2013. Web. 8 June 2014.
<http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Eating-Healty-on-a-Budget---Not-
So-Impossible-After-All-216166141.html>.

The article Eating Healthy on a Budget- Not So Impossible After All by
Gabrielle Ware talks about how even though its hard to eat healthy on a college budget,
it is doable. She tells of different cheap ways that students who are tight on a budget can
still eat healthy. She talks about this through the story of a college student who has the
typical tight college budget, and yet still eats healthy. A few things students can do that
she states are Frozen vegetables are easy to keep and they dont go bad. People think
that oh I have to get fresh produce and itll go bad. I buy it and it spoils and Im throwing
away money. Buy more frozen vegetables. While some may argue that the choices
college students have for nutritious food still isnt as healthy as it could be, the author
states her argument, that it is doable for a college student to be healthy.
I partly agree with what the author states. I think that while it is possible to eat
healthier than most college students do, I also think that fresh produce and other healthy
options that would both taste good and be healthier are not affordable or easily attainable
for college students. She is saying that there are a select few healthy foods that students
can afford to buy, but I would argue that the fact that students only have a few select
options is an issue in and of itself, a good point to make, given that healthy eating is a
problem that plagues college students across America.

King, Evan. "Students rely more on convenience, price when considering food options."
Flor-Ala. N.p., 17 Feb. 2011. Web. 8 June 2014.
<http://www.florala.net/news/article_1574daf4-3a21-11e0-8bc5-00127992bc8b.html>.

The article Students rely more on convenience, price when considering food
options by Evan King talks about students unhealthy eating habits due to the
convenience and low price of fast foods. Furthermore, the author talks about how
students just buy food based on price and convenience, and dont necessarily care about
what is in it as long as it is cheap and convenient. The author states that According to
boundless.org and their campus culture survey, it is estimated college students eat an
average of six to eight fast food meals a week. These high numbers are more than likely
due to convenience and price, both of which are highly important to college students.
Although some may argue that students would eat these foods even if they knew what
was in it, the author argues that one of the main reasons students eat it are that they dont
know whats in it, and if they did, they would be less likely to consume it.
I agree with the author. I think that if fast food chains had to include the
ingredients and nutritional information clearly with each item, students would be less
likely to consume them. I would argue that students buy these items just based off of the
price and convenience, and dont even think of what is in it. I find some of the
information in this article disturbing about just how bad some of the fast food is for you,
and I feel that if other students came in contact with information such as this, they would
be less likely to consume it. An important fact to make, considering that obesity is a
major issue in America, and a students low budget leading them to eat this food can only
lead to an increase in obesity.

Pelletier, Jennifer E., and Melissa N. Laska. "SFX by Ex Libris Inc.." SFX by Ex Libris
Inc.. N.p., 25 Sept. 2012. Web. 9 June 2014.
<http://resolver.flvc.org/ucf?genre=article&atitle=Balancing+Healthy+Meals+and+Busy
+Lives%3a+Associations+between+Work%2c+School%2c+and+Family+Responsibilitie
s+and+Perceived+Time+Constraints+among+Young+Adults.&title=Journal+of+Nutritio
n+Education+%26+Behavior&issn=14994046&isbn=&volume=44&issue=6&date=2012
1101&aulast=Pelletier%2c+Jennifer+E.&spage=481&pages=481-
489&rft.sid=EBSCO:Education+Full+Text+(H.W.+Wilson):83532945>.

The study Balancing Healthy Meals and Busy Lives: Associations between
Work, School, and Family Responsibilities and Perceived Time Constraints among
Young Adults by Jennifer Pelletier and Melissa Laska searches to analyze how
perceived time constraints and economic situations impact healthy eating habits. Their
results of the survey were Women, 4-year students, and students with lower
socioeconomic status perceived more time constraints; students with lower
socioeconomic status were less likely to have a healthy balance. Having a heavy course
load and working longer hours were important predictors of time constraints among men,
whereas living situation and being in a relationship were more important among women.
In sum, their results were that the lower the socioeconomic class, the more perceived time
constraints there were, and therefore, the less likely the person was to have a healthy diet.
I agree with these findings. As a college student I know that I dont eat as healthy
as I once had. With the lower socioeconomic status that comes with being a college
student, I do feel like I have more time constraints, and have switched to some of the less
healthy, but cheaper and quicker alternatives. Some people may say that you can buy
healthy foods for cheap as well, but I would argue that healthy foods arent as convenient
and easily available as the less healthy alternatives, an important point to make, as the
lack of healthy diets is a huge problem among college students and other people of low
socioeconomic status.