While trying to juggle work, school and other responsibilities, many students find themselves eating fast food or skipping meals entirely. Long commutes to and from Cal State Fullerton often contribute to an unhealthy diet among students. Photo courtesy MCT.

By Sarah Smith
For the Daily Titan

Art history major Rosie Morales, 22, commutes almost two hours to and from school four times a week. While either stuck in traffic, cruising the freeway or battling her way through the parking lot, there is only one thing on her mind – time.

Time is a precious thing and Morales’ time could be much better spent doing something other than sitting in traffic or hunting for a parking spot.

In today’s fast food society, it’s hard to find the time to eat properly and stay healthy, especially for those who have to spend time behind the wheel.

“By the time I get home, I’m an animal,” Morales said. “I’m starving after being in class all day, and I’m always thinking of food on the way home.”

If she passes a McDonald’s, she said, she’s done for.

Cal State Fullerton is largely a commuter campus, and while college students aren’t exactly known for their healthy eating habits, these folks have it a little harder than the rest.

“Once I’m home I just want to eat and go to bed,” said Jessica Baez, 20, a sociology major. Baez has a one-hour commute every Tuesday evening on the bus because her sister cannot pick her up. Even this single commute wears her down.

Nearly 40 percent of the estimated 35,000 students who attend CSUF are commuters according to CSUF Admissions and Records. On average, each commute is over 25 minutes, more with traffic.
“It’s all about what you’re going to munch on in traffic,” said Banafshe Sharifian, professor of health sciences at CSUF.

And they do make it easy to munch.

Big Macs, hot dogs, candy and the like, are a few easy, but not-so-healthy, food choices readily available to the munching population.

We all know it’s important to eat a healthy breakfast, but we need more than that.

According to the U.S. recommended daily allowances and the basic four food group system, the human body needs certain nutrients to stay healthy, nutrients that can’t be found in most fast foods.
That’s not to say eating fast food or stopping at the vending machine once in a while is a crime; the key is moderation.

But it’s still healthier to pack a sandwich and grab a water bottle than to stop at a Burger King drive-thru.

“Fast food or food here at school isn’t cheap, so it makes more sense to bring some with you, and it’s way healthier,” said James Maynard, 23, a kinesiology major and physical trainer at the CSUF Student Recreation Center.

There are alternatives to french fries and pizza.

On campus, there are even a few places to grab a healthy snack.

The Fresh Kitchen, located in the Titan Student Union, and The Nutwood Café both provide healthy fare.

Yet, economically, even these don’t make a lot of sense on a day-to-day basis.

Markets such as Trader Joe’s, Henry’s and even Albertson’s carry healthy, organic foods that can be easily made or are already ready-to-go and many of them are inexpensive.

There isn’t much need to stop for that greasy hamburger or Egg McMuffin except for a serious craving.

“I try and bring snacks,” said Morales. “Granola bars mostly. They almost fill me up.”

It’s a good tip for those of us who have to face that long drive morning and night.

And even for those of us that don’t, grabbing a granola bar is better than a bag of Doritos any day.

“It’s psychological in our society,” said Sharifian. “You’re thinking, ‘What am I going to eat or drink while I’m on the road?’”

But please, if you must stop at that drive-thru, give the salad a chance.