Fast food is a major part of a student’s daily life at LHS, with Dunkin’ being a five-minute walk away, Starbucks a simple drive down the road, and three pizzerias just a step outside of the school, it is common for students to indulge in treats during off periods. Though it is a great privilege to be able to leave campus for lunch, some students have taken note that it is a struggle to find appropriate meals nearby that fit in a healthy diet. Sophomore Max LaPlaca declared, “I 1,000% believe that there are no healthy food options at school.”
A classic go-to for lunch is Union Bagel (or just Union as students call it), which is located next to the high school. For the first few visits, one may stick to a plain bagel with cream cheese. A bagel every day is convenient, but nonetheless, it tends to lack nutritional value. A way to enhance the staple is to opt for whole wheat rather than plain. Union also offers add-ons to rolls and bagels, such as avocado or scrambled eggs. If a bagel is not the vibe, they also offer BLTs, which makes for a more well-rounded lunch with protein and vegetables. They have a great range of drinks, from pressed juices that help with nutrition retention, to electrolyte drinks that can restore one’s fluid balance. So, instead of a plain bagel with butter, one looking to have greater nutrition can ask for add on’s to classic items on the menu and pair it with a low-calorie and nutritious drink. While the selection of nearby lunch spots may not scream “healthy food”, students have found alternatives to make do with their options. When asked what the best nearby healthy meal is, junior Kleverson Vilsaint said, “My go to would be the Savino’s ceasar salad slice”, which is a regular slice of pizza topped with lettuce, croutons, and other typical caesar garnishes. Another great place is Hummus Fit, where senior Luna O’Hagen reflected, “I’ve heard that their chicken and rice bowl is very good and has a lot of protein.”
Additionally, O’Hagen brought up an idea that students may overlook with all the nearby choices: “You can pack your own lunch.” This is a great option that saves students money and allows for greater variety. Freshman Ben Singleton elaborated, “I got the school lunch at the start of the year, but now I go home and eat there. The school only has one or two options, and I find eating at home has a wider variety of foods that I like.” With the new cell phone rule, it is common for many to still want to leave school for lunch to use their devices, and thankfully, most of the restaurants nearby allow students to bring in outside food as long as at least one purchase is made.
Many times, students end up getting snacks that they do not need due to the convenience of sweets being so close by. LaPlaca explained, “Drinking water helps to deal with unhealthy cravings”, which limits the need to eat in excess and can also help one’s hydration. Additionally, if you don’t leave the school, there will be less temptation to make a purchase. The cafeteria and the courtyard are great places to eat and get work done. Singleton recommended, “Not going [out] every time someone says, ‘Let’s go to Dunkin Donuts.’ Maybe once every 2-3 weeks you can go, but you can also always just say ‘Nah, I’m going somewhere else.’” Eating healthy while being surrounded by cravings is a challenge. In summary, some of the best ways to eat healthy in school are to create alternatives based on the menu, bring lunch from home, and stay at school to resist cravings. Though difficult, one can surely reap the benefits from a healthy diet after implementing these changes!
