Don't sWheat It.

Home cooked food is scarce or nonexistent on college campuses. My own university is no different and I took a hopeful stomach home with me.

My first few days of break were great with plenty of my mom’s home cooking, which can include spaghetti, runzas, or chili. Basically if it’s loaded in carbs and my mom cooks it, I love it. However, my sister also joined us back home for break and she brought her healthy lifestyle with her. I find exercise fun, but downsizing meals and making healthy food choices? I am a man. I eat man food. I eat man amounts. Please quiet your laughter.

On one particular evening, I was asked by my sister how many burgers I wanted, and since I was off to play basketball within the hour, I decided I better just have one to avoid any indigestion on the court. Minutes later, I arrived at the dinner table to be greeted by less than desirable portions and content.

What my sister had served me was a turkey burger on a wheat bun. The burger was similar to that of a McDonald’s single patty on a bun that was soft as bread, but thin like a graham cracker. It was comparable to feeding a 300 pound offensive lineman a pack of fruit snacks. The trend of whole wheat and whole grain didn’t stop at graham cracker buns, but continued on to multi-grain chips, whole grain peanut butter, and whole grain mustard. Upcoming grocery items to our home include whole grain milk (made from whole grain cows), whole grain candy (made from multi-grain sugar cane), and of course whole wheat beer (which is actually real and delicious).

The holiday spirit at my house is most accurately represented by the nativity scene…mostly because the hay that covers the floor of the manger is also infused into every meal I consume.