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Being able to eat a nutritious and great tasting meal is a must for student athletes. Without good food, it is impossible to perform at your best both in the classroom and on the field. That is why we compiled a list of colleges with the best dining options in the country. If you end up playing at one of these schools, you are always going to be refueled and ready to go.
Related: Fueling Your Body for Performance
5. UCLA
Location: Los Angelos, CA
Athletic Division: NCAA DI
# On-Campus Dining Options: 8
At UCLA, there is no shortage of dining options. Students have access to 4dining halls and 4 residential restaurants. Gluten free, kosher, halal, and vegan options are available, so there is something for everybody. The university also has an online delivery service that provides food to students anywhere on campus. If that is not convenient enough, quick-service restaurants and cafes are open until 2am for those late night snacks.
Related: The Mental Game, Physical Fitness and Nutrition for the Athlete by Mark Glicini
Location: Lynchburg, VA
Athletic Division: NCAA DI
# On-Campus Dining Options: 20+
Liberty's Reber-Thomas Dining Hall has been nationally recognized year after year. It contains 20 separate dining establishments for students to choose from. Options include a BBQ slow cooker, a Mongolian Grill, made-to-order Sushi, and smoothies made of fresh fruit. The dining hall also has a station called the Training Table, which provides nutrient dense meals specifically for athletes. Additionally, the Simple Servings Station serves food free of seven of the most common food allergens.
3. Washington University in Saint Louis
Location: Clayton, MO
Athletic Division: NCAA III
# On-Campus Dining Options: 20+
From Mediterranean to Indian food, WashU offers dozens of dining options around campus AND a salad-serving robot open 24/7. Other options include the DUC Cafeteria, the Bear's Den, and casual restaurants like Stir Fry, Old World Deli, and Comfort Food. WashU students can also attend classes with professional chefs, themed dinners, and chef demonstrations. In addition to making an effort to serve great-tasting meals, WashU also strives to make its food healthy. Dieticians work with chefs on designing menus, and the school has a campus-wide initiative aimed at eliminating fried foods, offering healthier desserts, and increasing the availability of fruits and vegetables.
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Athletic Division: NCAA I
# On-Campus Dining Options: 21
Virginia Tech has over 19,000 meal plan holders, one of the highest amounts in the country. Day in and day out, this university serves premium food that keeps students coming back for more. There are tons of dining options on campus, including traditional food courts, cafes, snack kiosks, and two food trucks. Some highlights include their stellar Italian food and Japanese Steakhouse. The school also hosts themed dining events and grows all of its produce to ensure the freshest ingredients are used.
1. University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Location: Amherst, MA
Athletic Division: NCAA I
# On-Campus Dining Options: ~40
UMass-Amherst has the best college dining experience in the country. Students at UMass have access to four dining halls, 20+ cafes, two food trucks, a bakeshop, and catering services. As a result, you can find almost every style of cooking on campus. The school also has kosher, vegan, and gluten free options, and hosts special dining events throughout the year. It is safe to say that if you attend UMass, you are guaranteed to always have a satisfying meal.
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* Originally published on January 5, 2022, by Firoz George
