Whether we want to or not, at some time during our HCC experience we are forced to ease our stomach cravings at our campus cantinas. But is this really a good idea, even if it is a last resort? If you love carbohydrates and big thighs then we presume you see no problem with the school’s offerings. But the truth, our fellow scholarly comrades, is that there is a problem, and it may be bigger than you and your expanding waistline.

   When Sodexo bought out HCC’s previous food supplier, Lackmann, students expected changes to come, and they did. But instead of offering new fit-friendly fare for students, Sodexo upgraded the carb count and gave us a menu that is bread’s best friend.

   At the Ybor campus, for example, more than 52 individual items are available for purchase and yet only six of those are bread-free. For those who aren’t good with math, that is roughly 88 percent of the food offered – and this is one of our smaller cantinas. Of course you can purchase a yogurt for $1.06 and there is no shame in that, unless you have recently visited a grocery store and noticed that you can buy 10 of them for $5. It is not that the school is ripping us off, because they offer some fairly competitive prices for those looking to save a few bucks, but let’s be honest with ourselves. Who is going to pay $1.06 for a yogurt when you can get a pizza or wrap for only a few more dollars?

   There are so many ways for us to gain the “Freshman 15,” we don’t need our school helping us out. And although we are young and invincible (or so we think) unhealthy eating affects our bodies in more ways than just gaining a few pounds. Knee and joint problems are the least of your concerns. Obesity welcomes a litany of heart-hating complications and bodily dilemmas: early-age heart attacks, strokes, other cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes to name a few.

   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the obesity rate for college students has doubled over the past decade. That’s huge, no pun intended. One of their goals for 2010 is reduce obesity among adults to less than 15 percent. We are adults aren’t we?

So what can we do? Revolt? Overthrow the cantinas? How about using that college education you’re working on and write a letter to your local campus big-wigs. Stress your concerns and tell them what’s on your mind, or write to the real source of the problem, Sodexo. Another simple alternative to all this mess is packing your own lunch and avoid the problem all together. We know you’re all saying, Pack my own lunch? What are you, crazy? Maybe we are, but it sure beats feeling guilty after eating a slice of greasy pizza or a puffy Panini. Your waistline might thank you.