Strange eaters beware: we know you're out there. Some of you stalk through Clemons library, armed with a bag full of raw vegetables and a super-sized chocolate bar. Still others eat Krispy Kreme doughnuts as if it were their job. And was it you who spent all your Plus dollars on Smoothies and bulk candy from the Pav?
When it comes to food habits, everyone's a little weird.
Whether you've eaten the same thing for lunch since you were five, made a strict New Year's resolution to eat healthier or are just plain sick of dining hall food, the things you choose to eat can say a lot about you -- maybe even more than you'd care to reveal.
Dining Hall Cleansing
When first-year College student Megan Ess goes to the dining hall, she always stops at the juice machine.
"I have this thing about cranberry juice," she said.
Ess, who never drank cranberry juice until she came to the University, says she has at least two cups at each meal, amounting to six or seven a day.
"Everyone says it cleans out your system," Ess said. "Plus, it prevents urinary tract infections."
Other than the fact that she doesn't like to drink the milk at the dining hall, Ess said her other food habits haven't really changed since she came to the University.
Next year, Ess plans to move off Grounds and said she and her roommates probably will eat together. Even though they haven't planned their menus yet, Ess knows one thing for sure: cranberry juice will be involved.
"I'll definitely still do the cranberry juice thing," Ess said. "That's not going to change."
O'Hill Bonding and Post-rush Woes
First-year College student Shannon Wendling said she hasn't developed any odd eating habits since coming to the University.
"The food's okay once you get used to it," Wendling said.
Wendling did admit, however, that it was hard to go back to
the dining hall after eating the food at rush events recently.
"I got spoiled with the rush food," she said.
According to Wendling, though, making the trip to the dining hall is easier when she goes with friends and suitemates.
"We have a weekly 'O'Hill hour,'" Wendling said.
She and her friends use O'Hill as a place to chat and exchange stories.
"It's relaxing," she said.
Food Plan Goes Army-style
Fourth-year College student Tiffany Lyttle said meals can be relaxing for her as well -- but she takes her lunch a little more seriously. In fact, she remembers exactly what she had for lunch five months ago.
Lyttle has a specific eating schedule for breakfast and lunch, according to the days of the week.
"It's quicker and more convenient," she said. "Plus I like organization."
Lyttle sticks to her breakfast of cereal Monday through Thursday and waffles Friday through Sunday, and her weekly lunch agenda is bagels and cream cheese Friday through Monday, peanut butter and jelly on Tuesday and Wednesday and french fries on Thursday.
Though dinner is more flexible, Lyttle doesn't miss a day without Tropical Fruit Punch Kool-Aid.
"I grew up with Kool Aid," she said.
Lyttle hasn't always had a custom of regimented eating. She said she started to establish a routine when she moved to Lambeth after her first year at the University.
"I figured it all out," she said. "I guess it just came to me."
Lyttle emphasized that she sometimes gets bored and strays from her plan. She allows herself to choose foods such as popcorn, brownies, Goldfish and ice cream.
"I still like to add diversity to my eating schedule," she said.
Lyttle confessed, though, that she has some interesting tendencies when it comes to food.
"I have a weird thing where I don't like food touching other food," she said, making a face. "I prefer if each item is designated its own corner."
Also, Lyttle can't stand the sight of salad. In fact, she often moves the paper dividers on restaurant tables so she can't see the salad others have ordered.
"It freaks me out tremendously," Lyttle said. "Lettuce just troubles me."
Yeah, That's Just WeirdE
Fourth-year College student Sarah Witt just can't get enough cream cheese.
"I can eat it like a candy bar," she said.
Witt, who reluctantly admitted eating entire packages of low-fat cream cheese in one sitting, said she eats other strange things, such as turkey-roni and frozen mozzarella cheese.
"I eat a lot of random foods," she said.
Witt, who is training for a half-marathon in April, says her food habits probably don't fall in the normal range.
"I'm always on the go," she said. "I need a lot of snacks."
The idea of snacks takes on a whole new meaning with third-year College student Libby Brennan, who likes to eat Ramen noodles right out of the package.
"I like to eat them hard and crunchy," she said.
Brennan, who says she remembers eating noodles this way since elementary school, says she still eats plain, uncooked noodles several times a week
"It's my trademark," Brennan said.
She doesn't neglect the seasoning packet that comes with the noodles, though. Instead, she said she licks the powder out of the package.
"I eat the seasoning straight," she said.
Brennan said her friends sometimes make fun of her interesting way of eating Ramen noodles, but that doesn't stop her.
"I just like them more when they're raw," she added.
But what is "normal"?
According to Outpatient Nutritionist Theresa Anderson, R.D., snacking on strange foods may be okay, as long as it's done carefully.
"Snacking can be a good thing," she said, "especially for students with crazy schedules."
Anderson also said erratic snacking could indicate a more serious medical condition called pica, which causes people to eat unusual foods such as clay, chipped ice and paper.
"It can indicate an iron deficiency or malnutrition in general," she said.
But crazy munching isn't always serious.
"Sometimes people just flat out like certain foods, Anderson said. "They may have different flavor preferences or just want a particular food because it's soothing to them."
Anderson, who also is the sports nutritionist for University athletes, said strange eating habits could indicate a psychological problem, but they also may just be because students "have nothing else in the house" and are limited because of time, access to a car or storage limitations.
Students should just try to be aware of their eating habits, she said.
"I'd recommend to everyone to eat a wide variety of foods each day," she said.
So go ahead, enjoy eating different things, even if they are a bit bizarre. Don't be afraid to put ice milk on your broccoli or consume the fudge-covered hotdog you've been craving. Have some cranberry juice, or maybe just a bite of cream cheese -- only if it's in the schedule, that is.
Read More
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
Perfecting the subtle art of the ‘sexile’
By Val Vixen | December 7, 2024Approach this sacred college ritual with a newfound confidence.
Top 10 ways to ring in the holiday season in Charlottesville
By Sam Saks | December 5, 2024With temperatures down, lights up and spirits high, not even pesky final projects and exams can dampen this holiday season.
