How to be a vegetarian at Binghamton

Being a vegetarian on a college campus is no easy feat. If you’re anything like me (a picky vegetarian), you can relate when I say, “there is nothing to eat on this campus.”

As a sophomore, I have spent the last four semesters on a very similar dietary plan on a day to day basis. My daily meals consist of high amounts of bread, an obscene amount of cheese, and potatoes in various forms. However, I do have my good days, which are due in part to the random meals on the menus at different locations on campus, but also because my nutrition is practically begging me to shape up at this point.

Although I didn’t gain the expected “Freshmen 15”, I did notice the changes my body was going through. I experienced lower energy levels, acne, some weight gain, and more. Recently, I’ve decided to take it upon myself to get healthy in order to look and feel better. The last few weeks have been spent trying new foods, such as vegetables and healthier sandwich options even if they look soggy, and and searching for the perfect foods to satisfy my cravings.

So if you’re a vegetarian on this campus, here are my top recommendations:

Moghul fine indian cuisine

It may be surprising, but the Indian station is ACTUALLY really good. Moghul is located in the Marketplace and is basically a preview for an Indian restaurant on Vestal Parkway. There is an entire section on the menu dedicated to vegetarian meal options! AN ENTIRE SECTION! (you can imagine my excitement). At first, I was quite skeptical about eating Indian food on campus, but finding new places to eat required I try EVERYTHING possible. I was left satisfied and FULL for the first time in a long time. So, if you haven’t tried the Indian food yet, you definitely won’t be disappointed.

Veggie sandwiches

This seems like a pretty basic one, but a good sandwich can go a long way. For the most part, any location to get sandwiches on campus will be able to accommodate all of your veggie needs. If you don’t eat cheese, the Boar’s Head station in the Marketplace has a few stellar options. This station is the only one that offers EGGPLANT for your sandwiches! However, if you do eat cheese, Sub Connection and other sandwich stations around campus will have no problem leaving the meat out. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask Sodexo employees to change their gloves and wipe down the cutting boards if remaining pieces of cold cuts make you as nervous as they make me.

CIW vegan station

If you don’t live in College-In-The-Woods, get down there and treat yourself to the delicious meals that they serve. In my opinion, this is the best place on campus to find enticing meals that make me feel excited to eat. From pasta with eggplant, broccoli, asparagus, squash, etc. to vegan tacos and fajitas, they have it all. Everyday, the people cheffing it up behind the grill bring happiness to my stomach. The vegan station is the only place dedicated strictly to vegetarian/vegan eating. There aren’t many people that think to eat at CIW dining hall, but from my experience thus far, it is the best one for providing me with all of my nutritional needs and its pretty decent, too.

Wegman’s

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan at Binghamton, GO TO WEGMANS. If it is a possibility for you, I highly recommend buying your own ingredients and keeping them in your mini-fridge. Nothing is better than a home-cooked meal, and that goes for anybody. Wegmans is an organic supermarket that literally sells everything. Buy yourself some healthy ingredients and take advantage the full kitchen in your building! Not enough people cook for themselves on this campus. As a college student myself, I understand that most of the time we are under time constraints/severe laziness, but a self-cooked meal will make you feel better about what you’re eating because you know EXACTLY what it is that you’re eating.

Food co-op

So turns out we have this cool thing called the Food Co-op located down the steps by the Tillman Lobby. The Food Co-op is a vegan and gluten free market with a delicious menu that will satisfy any veggie. It is the kind of place where you can pick up a book, sit at a beautifully painted table, and feel the good vibes and the vibrant energy. 

I just found out about this place and was so disappointed that I hadn’t shopped or ate here earlier. Definitely take a look around or even try one of their delicious meals because I was quite impressed.

Living on a college campus has made me miss my mother’s cooking more than anything. I have most definitely had to adapt to new eating habits and explore my options outside of campus as well. Most people have the assumption that vegetarian and vegan diets will be satisfied by salads, but we are people too, and just like anybody else we like to genuinely enjoy our meals. From one vegetarian to another, do not settle for meals that do not fully satisfy you and ensure that all of your nutritional needs are being met. Explore your options!

Happy eating everyone!