Student eating habits are sometimes known to be unhealthy, filled with fast food or quick snacks. However, this isn't always the case.
Junior Aubrey Douglas plans to cook more when school gets out because she'll have more free time, she said.
Douglas works at Whitney Dining and mostly eats there, she said. When she cooks, it's spaghetti because it is easy to prepare.
Despite having more time to snack, the summer brings healthier eating habits out of Douglas in general, she said.
Some students are more worried about dehydration than food in the summer because of the scorching Chico heat.
"If you're out in the sun, drink a lot of water," junior Eric Hartman said. "Eat fruit and vegetables to restore the stuff your body needs."
It is easy to forget to keep hydrated, he said. Despite the heat, he likes to barbecue a lot, while his wife cooks the rest of the year.
"Salad and barbecue is an example of a good summer meal," he said.
The heat does affect his hunger, and he doesn't eat as much, he said.
Some students also have interesting snacks they recommend for others to try.
"A snack usually has to be quick and cheap or it would defeat the purpose of the snack," junior Alex Wallace said.
When he has no time to cook or prepare a sandwich, he mixes peanut butter with honey for a snack, he said.
Although Wallace doesn't cook very often, he has a special meal under his belt for a special someone.
"I can make really good Korean short ribs that I make when I have a girl over," he said.
Junior Nolan Kelly has healthier summer habits partly because he's heading home for break and doesn't have to buy food, he said.
"I am looking forward to turkey dinner, homemade enchiladas and chili cornbread," he said. "Here, I cook a lot, but it's nice not having to cook."
Time and expenses were always on his mind when cooking in Chico.
During the school year, Kelly would cook easy things such as burritos or pasta.
Sleep also affects his eating habits, he said.
"I don't have good eating or sleeping schedule here," he said. "I sleep and eat when I can."
Mike Lata can be reached at mlata@theorion.com
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