What is a healthy diet? According to Nutrition.gov, the definition of a healthy diet is: one that provides enough of each essential nutrient, contains a variety of foods from all of the basic food groups, provides adequate energy to maintain a healthy weight, and does not contain excess fat, sugar, salt or alcohol. The responses from students on the University of Illinois campus correlated very well with this definition. The overall student consensus of a healthy diet included eating a variety of foods and not overindulging in anyone food group. Students frequently mentioned following the food pyramid and using common sense when making food choices.
What is nutrition?
The definition of nutrition varies greatly. Basically, nutrition is the science that studies what nutrients our bodies need and why. Nutrition is still a relatively new science, with new discoveries each year. When interviewed, the majority of students defined nutrition as consuming the foods required for normal functioning and maintenance of the body. Some students’ definition of nutrition was similar to that of a healthy diet. This makes sense considering that good nutrition and a healthy diet go hand in hand and are closely related.
Restaurants in Champaign-Urbana suggested by students:
Aroma Cafe
118 North Neil Street, Champaign
(217) 356-3200
www.aroma-cafe.com
No nutritional information is given on their website.
Cafe Kopi
109 N Walnut St, Champaign
(217) 359-4266
www.cafekopi.com
Known more as an espresso and coffee shop, this cozy cafe also has no nutritional information given.
Cafe Luna
116 North Chestnut Street, Champaign
(217)356-5862
www.luna-cu.com
No nutritional information is available online, but you can view their menu from their website.
Jimmy Johns
601B West Green Street, Champaign - (217) 344-4443
807 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL- (217) 328-3100
www.jimmyjohns.com
These are only 2 of the many locations Jimmy John's has in the Champaign-Urbana area. The famous Turkey Tom sub is 515 calories and about 22 grams of fat.
Outback Steakhouse
2402 N. Prospect Avenue, Champaign
(217)398-3322
www.outback.com
For the Outback Special 12 oz steak, a house salad, and dressed baked potato, the total calories come out to a staggering 1454.3 calories and 81.3 grams of fat.
Panera Bread
616 East Green Street, Champaign
(217)344-2528
www.panerabread.com
The Chopped Chicken Cobb sandwich has 500 calories and 36 total grams of fat. However, if you eat the salad without the dressing, the meal is a mere 280 calories and only 12 grams of fat.
Pita Pit
611 East Green Street, Champaign
(217)337-7482
www.pitapitusa.com
The average Club pita goes for about 385 calories and 9 grams of fat.
Silvercreek
402 N Race St, Urbana
(217)328-3402
www.couriersilvercreek.com/silvercreek/
There is no nutritional information given on their website, but they do have vegetarian and gluten-free options on their menu.
Subway Sandwiches
616 E Green St, STE A, Champaign
(217)239-0108
www.subway.com
A six inch Ham sub without cheese comes out to 290 calories and 4.5 grams of fat.
*Sweet Tomato
2801 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL
(630)377-3309
One serving (one cup) of their fabulous Greek salad is 120 calories and 9 grams of fat.
*There are no locations in central Illinois but there are 6 locations in the Chicagoland area, including the one listed in St. Charles above.
