Egerman 1

Brooke Egerman
Dr. Gabriela Rios
ENC 1102
6/10/14
The Struggle is Real: How Ddoes Bbeing on a Ccollege Bbudget Aaffect Sstudents
Aaccess to Qquality Ffood?
Did you know that studies show that the myth of the freshman 15 is false?
While this may sound like a great thing, the shocking truth is that instead of gaining the
fifteen 15 pounds in the first year, college students are gaining it throughout their college
years due to the bad nutritional habits they pick up from the convenient and cheap foods.
This is something that I struggled with when I first got into college. My first year, I
gained quite a few pounds and didnt like the vision I saw in the mirror. This led me on a
quest to find nutritional food to beas an alternative to the convenient and cheap, bad food
that I had become accustomed to. This made me realize how difficult it is for a college
student to find affordable and nutritious food, an important point to make considering it
plagues the country.
The research question that is going to be answered today is How does being on a
college budget affect students access to quality food? The following six sources aim to
answer this question in a variety of ways. The first set of sources (King, Pelletier, and
Tsiberman) aims to show that students base their purchasing options on mainly
convenience and price. I chose these sources because they provided evidence that
students eat foods regardless of their nutritional values just because they are cheap and
convenient. The second set of sources (Jane, Radcliffe, and Ware) talk about students
Comment [GR1]: Great title!
Formatted: Highlight
Formatted: Highlight
Comment [GR2]: Careful, that can seem
redundant
Comment [GR3]: This is good, but can you
transition a little more smoothly? Readers
dont necc see a question coming, and then
all of sudden there it is. Maybe set us up for
this a little more.
Comment [GR4]: These moves are really
great here as you synthesize the sources for
us.
Egerman 2
ability to find healthy foods and what they would do if they knew where to find them. I
chose these sources because they all have different studies showing that if students could
find healthy food choices for affordable prices, they would.
King, Evan. "Students Rrely Mmore on Cconvenience, Pprice Wwhen Cconsidering
Ffood Ooptions." Flor-Ala. 17 Feb. 2011. N.p.. n. pag.. Web. 8 June 2014.
The article Students rely more on convenience, price when considering food
options by Evan King talks about students unhealthy eating habits due to the
convenience and low price of fast foods. Furthermore, the author talks about how
students just buy food based on price and convenience, and dont necessarily care
about what is in it as long as it is cheap and convenient. According to a campus
culture survey, it is estimated college students eat an average of six to eight fast
food meals a week. The author concluded that, these high numbers are more than
likely due to convenience and price, both of which are highly important to college
students (paragraph 1-2). Although some may argue that students would eat
these foods even if they knew what was in it, the author argues that one of the
main reasons students eat it are that they dont know whats in it, and if they did,
they would be less likely to consume it.
I agree with the author. I think that if fast food chains had to include the
ingredients and nutritional information clearly with each item, students would be
less likely to consume them. I would argue that students buy these items just
based off of the price and convenience, and dont even think of what is in it. I find
some of the information in this article disturbing about just how bad some of the
fast food is for you, and I feel that if other students came in contact with
Comment [GR5]: Be sure to use MLA style
Comment [GR6]: Remember we talked
about not needing to cite the article title
here
Comment [GR7]: Maybe highlight who he is
in terms of why it matters that we listen to
himwhy is he a credible source?
Egerman 3
information such as this, they would be less likely to consume it. An important
fact to make, considering that obesity is a major issue in America, and a students
low budget leading them to eat this food can only lead to an increase in obesity.
Kolodinsky, Jane, PhD., et al. "The use of Nutritional Labels by College Students in a
Food-Court Setting." Journal of American College Health. 57.3 (2008): 297-302.
ProQuest. Web. 5 June 2014.
In The use of Nutritional Labels by College Students in a Food-Court Setting,
Jane Kolodinsky explains the affect of nutritional labels on college students food
choices. Specifically, Kolodinsky argues that providing nutritional information
does have an impact on the choices students make. Although some people believe
that students would eat unhealthy either way, Kolodinsky insists that it is the
prices and lack of time that pushes students to choose the unhealthy, fast foods.
As the author herself puts it, Despite the overall positive feedback about labeling,
several other factors came into play regarding food purchases namely, price and
convenience (300). In sum, then, her view is that when given the proper
information, students are more likely to choose the healthier option, but if the
unhealthier option is cheaper or faster, students are likely to choose that.
I agree. In my view, the argument that Kolodinsky makes is that price and
convenience can affect the food choices students make. For instance, if a student
is on their way to class and the line for the salad is longer than the line for pizza,
the student will likely choose the pizza. In addition, if getting a bag of chips is
cheaper than a fruit salad, the student will likely buy the chips instead. Some
might object, of course, on the grounds that there are plenty of college students
Egerman 4
that do eat healthy. Yet, I would argue that price and convenience do play a role.
Overall, then, I believe that college students budget can affect their food practices
--an important point to make given the amount of students in college and the
affect on their health.
Pelletier, Jennifer E., and Melissa N. Laska. "Balancing Healthy Meals And Busy Lives:
Associations Between Work, School, And Family Responsibilities And Perceived
Time Constraints Among Young Adults." Journal Of Nutrition Education And
Behavior 44.6 (2012): 481-489. PsycINFO. Web. 10 June 2014.
The study Balancing Healthy Meals and Busy Lives: Associations between
Work, School, and Family Responsibilities and Perceived Time Constraints
among Young Adults by Jennifer Pelletier and Melissa Laska searches to
analyze how perceived time constraints and economic situations impact healthy
eating habits. The results of the survey were women, 4-year students, and
students with lower socioeconomic status perceived more time constraints;
students with lower socioeconomic status were less likely to have a healthy
balance. Having a heavy course load and working longer hours were important
predictors of time constraints among men, whereas living situation and being in a
relationship were more important among women (481). In sum, their results
were that the lower the socioeconomic class, the more perceived time constraints
there were, and therefore, the less likely the person was to have a healthy diet.
I agree with these findings. As a college student I know that I dont eat as healthy
as I once had. With the lower socioeconomic status that comes with being a
college student, I do feel like I have more time constraints, and have switched to
Egerman 5
some of the less healthy, but cheaper and quicker alternatives. Some people may
say that you can buy healthy foods for cheap as well, but I would argue that
healthy foods arent as convenient and easily available as the less healthy
alternatives, an important point to make, as the lack of healthy diets is a huge
problem among college students and other people of low socioeconomic status.
Radcliffe, Shawn. "Nearly 60 Percent of College Students Are 'Food Insecure'."
Healthlines RSS News. 30 Jan. 2014. N.p.. n. pag.. Web. 8 June 2014.
The article Nearly 60 Percent of College Students are Food Insecure by
Shawn Radcliffe talks about how food insecurity (meaning unable to find or
afford safe and healthy foods) is affecting college students and their life.
Furthermore, the author argues that the inability for students to afford or find
nutritious foods is crippling students physical and mental health. A new study
published in the Journal of Nutrition and Education states 59% of students at a
university in Oregon were food insecure: that means they had limited or
uncertain access to nutritious and safe foods (paragraph 2). Some people say that
college students choose not to eat healthy, but this author argues that it is not a
choice, but a crisis where students dont have access to nutritional foods either
due to money or inability to find it.
I agree with the author. As a college student I would love to eat nutritional foods
such as fruits and vegetables, as well as make homemade food every night, but on
my budget, I cant afford a diet such as that. Produce is typically one of the most
expensive things at the grocery store, and fresh cut meat is also at a large
premium. So while some may argue that I make a choice to not eat healthy, I
Egerman 6
would argue that I couldnt afford to make the nutritional choice and eat what I
would prefer. I believe most college students, given the access to nutritional food
at an affordable price would pick that over the less healthy option at a similar
price, which is an important point to make given that this is a pandemic that is
affecting the lives of every college kid in the country.
Tsiberman, Lana. "Campus Life Nurtures Bad Eating Habits." The Connection. 19 Apr.
2010. N.p.. n. pag.. Web. 4 June 2014.
In Campus life nurtures bad eating habits, Lana Tsiberman provides evidence
that the college lifestyle creates bad eating habits that lead to long-term effects.
Specifically, Tsiberman argues that the rush of college life leads students to
sacrifice nutritional values for cheap and fast, but less nutritional options. As the
author herself puts it, Some of these bad habits include constantly eating on the
run, fast food, and not eating enough wholesome food (paragraph 2). Although
some people believe if students have the money for college, then they can afford
to eat healthy, Tsiberman insists that because students are always on the run and
have a small budget, they dont have the time or money to eat the correct diet. In
sum, then, her view is that students are in a way influenced to make bad diet
decisions, and it negatively impacts their studies.
I agree with her. In my view, the argument that Tsiberman makes is completely
true. For instance, from my personal experience I know that what she says is quite
accurate and Im constantly influenced to make bad dieting decisions by cheap
prices and fast food. In addition, I find that if I do make the bad decision, then I
feel lethargic the next day. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that
Comment [GR8]: So, this phrase is a bit
repetitive throughout, and it starts to really
affect your writing and how credible you
sound. Here, in particular, it is almost the
exact same phrasing as the intro, so overall
try to be more varied and nuanced in your
writing.
Comment [GR9]: Same hereyou dont
really even need to say this because your
next sentence says the same thing.
Comment [GR10]: So, this is that same
thing we have talked about in class a lot (I
think we even used one of your summaries
as an example in class)this phrase is
simply repeating the same exact thing as the
previous sentencewe arent seeing your
view, which is TSIS has shown, has to
include some difference. You can look at the
TSIS chapters for more templates to help
you agree with a difference.
Egerman 7
students would buy these foods regardless. Yet, I would argue that students buy
these foods because of the low prices and speed of delivery. Overall, then, I
believe campus life does nurture bad eating habits --an important point to make
given I live in an environment shaped by this every day.
Ware, Gabrielle. "Eating Healthy on a Budget - Not So Impossible After All."
Northland's NewsCenter: News, Weather, Sports. 19 July 2013. N.p.. n. pag..
Web. 8 June 2014.
The article Eating Healthy on a Budget- Not So Impossible After All by
Gabrielle Ware talks about how even though its hard to eat healthy on a college
budget it is doable. She tells of different cheap ways that students who are on a
tight on a budget can still eat healthy. She talks about this through the story of a
college student who has the typical tight college budget, and yet still eats healthy.
A few things students can do that she states are Frozen vegetables are easy to
keep and they dont go bad. People think that oh I have to get fresh produce and
itll go bad. I buy it and it spoils and Im throwing away money. Buy more frozen
vegetables (paragraph 13). While some may argue that the choices college
students have for nutritious food still isnt as healthy as it could be, the author
states her argument, that it is doable for a college student to be healthy.
I partly agree with what the author states. I think that while it is possible to eat
healthier than most college students do, I also think that fresh produce and other
healthy options that would both taste good and be healthier are not affordable or
easily attainable for college students. She is sayingclaims that there are a select
few healthy foods that students can afford to buy, but I would argue that the fact
Comment [GR11]: You tend to repeat this
phrase a lotcan you think of some other
ways to get this point across?
Comment [GR12]: good
Egerman 8
that students only have a few select options is an issue in and of itself, a good
point to make, given that healthy eating is a problem that plagues college students
across America.