Should Northeastern Illinois University Have Healthier Food Options?

Northeastern Illinois University should have healthier food options. Running a healthy dining Kiosk on NEIU’s campus could become very beneficial. Healthy foods contains nutrient rich foods, such as legumes, fruit, vegetable, whole grains, low fat dairy products, lean protein, nuts, and seeds. Eating Vitamin A food can keep eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections. Vitamin C food can help heal cuts and wounds and keeps teeth and gums healthy. Fats in milk products, meat, and fish help your body build healthy nerves and fight off disease. Unhealthy food contains saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugars. It can cause stroke risk, weight gain, tooth decay, and gastrointestinal problems. According to National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, more

As a student, I have seen very little food that is considered healthy here at NEIU. Most commuting students tend to run busy, so they tend to consume unhealthy foods vs healthy food. Busy NEIU students end up preferring unhealthy food because that is what’s often easier for them to find. After 6:30 pm cafeteria is closed so students depend on the vending machines. Most of the items in our vending machine are junk food. Chips, cookies, and candies are only a temporary solution to hunger. Not having healthy food can affect student performance. It is found that healthy food such as mixed diet improved brain health. It can make people feel happier and relaxed. Students who favored milk over fruit juice or other sweated beverages and who ate breakfast regularly scored higher on tests. When students perform well it’s good for the university. Poor nutritional status can lead to excess production of the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone prepares the body for fight or flight response. It has effects in the brain that impair