Starting university comes with a lot of new experiences, and navigating your dining options can feel like one more thing to figure out. Living in first-year residence is a great opportunity to get familiar with and explore the variety and flexibility of the All Access Dining Meal Plan. With unlimited entries to Feast, Gather, and Open Kitchen, you have an abundance of options as to how you can customize your meals to fit your personal taste. To increase your variety of options even further, build your own unique meal with options from different stations and around the dining hall!
If you are new to dining in UBC residences, check out these articles, Navigate All Access Dining Confidently and Eating Well with All Access Dining, for helpful tips on making the most of your meal plan. Feel free to also visit the Residence Dining Hall Menus and Information page to see what’s being served before you head over!
Below are some tips as to how you can start customizing your meals in the dining halls and make the kitchen your own:
Mix and Match at Stations
You don’t have to stick to just one station! One of the best parts of having UBC’s All Access Dining Meal Plan is the variety available to you each day. Instead of limiting yourself to one area of the dining hall, explore what’s available and combine different dishes, sides, and toppings to create a meal that works for you.
At the stations, know that you can ask for specific components of the meal. For example, you might pair a side from one station with your favourite entree from another station . You can also mix and match flavours and textures to make a familiar meal feel a little different each time. Think of the dining hall as a chance to get creative and make your own meal!
Add Veggies To Any Meal
Vegetables are available in a variety of forms throughout the dining hall, making it easy to incorporate them into meals you already enjoy. Try adding a serving of roasted vegetables to your plate from the hot sides bar, choosing a few colorful toppings from the salad bar, or grabbing a vegetable-based side from a station to enjoy alongside your main dish.
According to the Canada’s Food Guide, it is good to aim for about half your plate to be vegetables when it works for you. If you’re having a burger, try adding a side salad, or if you’re enjoying pasta, look for a vegetable side to round out your plate. Every little bit counts!
Customize Your Starch
With a variety of different foods available to you in the dining hall, don’t be afraid to switch up your base! Whether you’re building a bowl or choosing a side, give quinoa, noodles, roasted potatoes, whole grain pasta, brown rice, or cous cous a try, if available. Rotating different grains throughout the week can help keep your meals interesting and lets you try new combinations.
Upgrade Your Salad
The salad bar at each dining hall contains more than just leafy greens. Turn it into a satisfying meal by adding protein like chicken, tofu, beans, or hard-boiled eggs, then mix in a variety of vegetables, grains, and/or your favourite dressing. Don’t be afraid to visit the hot food stations as well to create your own unique salad!
Sandwich Upgrades
Don’t feel like you are obligated to eat your sandwich straight from the sandwich bar. Next time, try adding fresh toppings from the salad bar! Crunchy vegetables can add extra texture and freshness while also customizing your meal. Small additions like this can completely change the flavour of your sandwich while helping you personalize your meal.
Takeaway
There’s no single “perfect plate”, but what matters most is creating meals that are enjoyable and help you feel your best! As you settle into residence life, don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations and discover your favourites. If you’re looking for more nutrition tips, visit the Nutrition Hub. Happy Dining!
