The Secret to the Dining Hall

By Trudy Holmes '19

There are many different approaches to what the ideal human diet looks like. Nutritionists debate whether the human diet should be plant or meat based, grain free or grain dependent, and several other differing outlooks on what to eat and what not to eat. After looking at a few nutritionists’ take on diet, it seems that they all share one thing: moderation is key. No matter if you are on some trek to lose a significant amount of weight or just looking to better your diet, moderation is king. Research shows that at every meal, your plate should be made up of at least 50% produce, which splits into 30% vegetables and 20% fruits. The other 50% should be comprised of 25% protein and the other 25% for grain, an additional protein, or produce. So how does that translate into the EHS diet?

Here’s what your plate should look like at buffet dinner. Fill your plate with a bed of lettuce. If you like a more leafy green, opt for the kale or mixed greens; if not, go for the romaine or spinach. Then put on whatever toppings you like from the salad bar as not everyone is a salad eater, and at least the toppings can make it palatable for some. Then go into the servery and if the main meal is something like chicken breasts, put that on top of the salad as your 25% protein. Try and opt for just some oil and vinegar at the table rather than a creamy dressing.

At seated meals try and stay away from a plate loaded with pasta or any main starch dish. While some carbohydrates are good, your diet should not be centered around them. If the main dish is in fact a pasta, get a chili. The chilis are rather filling and are packed with nutrients from the beans. In addition to the chili, have some of the salad and or vegetables to balance out the protein.

In addition to balancing out your meal with good proportions of vegetables, meat, and grains, make sure you drink enough water. Studies show that you are supposed to drink half of your body weight in ounces everyday.

While this diet is not a form of weight loss or bulking up, try it as a day to day way to maintain a healthy and cleansed body.

“Nutrition.” Nutrition | Federal Occupational Health, foh.psc.gov/calendar/nutrition.html.

Shaw, Gina. “Water and Your Diet: Staying Slim and Regular With H2O.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/diet/features/water-for-weight-loss-diet#1.