When it comes to the cafeteria at SAS, vegan dining options are probably not the first thing you would think of. The longest lines are always the meat-centered attractions or the fast food knock offs like chicken quesadilla or pepperoni pizza. So how does one stick to a vegan diet at the SAS cafeteria?
First of all, to be vegan is to avoid eating any animal-based products. This is not only meat, eggs or or dairy, but also some animal-based ingredients such as honey, white sugar, and gelatin. People become vegan mainly for 3 reasons: health, animal rights and for the environment. Vegans believe that cattle and other animal farming lead to global warming. Vegetable farming is much better use of land and resources. In addition, the slaughter of animals for food is inhumane and eating vegetable is much better for health. With these reasons in mind, let’s look at the vegan options here at SAS.
Black Bean Burger
Sodexo’s black bean burger is actually a delicious and filling meal for anyone wanting a healthier option of a burger. Feel free to add mustard or ketchup and sink your teeth into the savory dish. A suggestion for Sodexo is to let us to order fresh fries with the veggie burger which we are not allowed to do now!
Veggie Curry
Sodexo’s curry potato dish in the Be Vital vegetarian station is blessedly vegan! It comes along with naan bread (aka Indian pancakes), baked mixed vegetables, and a couscous salad. This is an ideal choice for those who are craving filling and savory food.
Clear broth soups and steamed vegetables
Clear broth soups and steamed vegetables from the Be Asian station are the best choice if you want something hearty and warm. A great thing is also that both soups and vegetables are relatively inexpensive. My favorite thing to do is to buy a soup and eat it with plain rice or bread. Some possible soups, which we had recently, were Loofah Clear Soup and Russian Borsch!
Salad Bar
At the salad bar, I recommend starting off with lettuce, and if possible always adding rice or cous cous. Pesto and marinara sauce pastas are vegan and a great option for staying fuller for longer. Some absolute musts for me are baby tomatoes, beans, and potatoes. And lastly, it is always great to top of your salad with some vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, and chickpeas. After assembling your salad, I recommend adding olives and salsa. And don’t forget, the cafeteria kiosk is always offering their own ready-made salads with avocado.
Sandwich Bar
Like the salad bar, the sandwich bar has a variety of vegan choices, as well as healthier options of bread, like whole wheat wraps. In addition to the traditional lettuce, tomato and crispy cucumbers, a highlight from this station is adding humus on your sandwich, along with bell peppers or grilled eggplants.
Crackers, Smoothies, and Fruit and Vegetable Cups
Wanting to eat a light snack in between classes? Fill up on various flavors of crackers from the kiosk, everyone’s go to savory snack. There is also refreshing all-fruit smoothies served at the kiosk, a must try would be the green tea smoothie. And of course, there are healthy fruit and vegetable cups containing delectable fruits and vegetables. Be ready to share all these delicious options.
And of course, you can order anything from food stations like Be Asian, Be Global, and Be Vital and ask to remove the meat or dairy item. Being vegan is a healthy option for the environment and oneself. Enjoy all the vegan options that Sodexo has to offer!
Emily Chang
First of all, to be vegan is to avoid eating any animal-based products. This is not only meat, eggs or or dairy, but also some animal-based ingredients such as honey, white sugar, and gelatin. People become vegan mainly for 3 reasons: health, animal rights and for the environment. Vegans believe that cattle and other animal farming lead to global warming. Vegetable farming is much better use of land and resources. In addition, the slaughter of animals for food is inhumane and eating vegetable is much better for health. With these reasons in mind, let’s look at the vegan options here at SAS.
Black Bean Burger
Sodexo’s black bean burger is actually a delicious and filling meal for anyone wanting a healthier option of a burger. Feel free to add mustard or ketchup and sink your teeth into the savory dish. A suggestion for Sodexo is to let us to order fresh fries with the veggie burger which we are not allowed to do now!
 |
| Taken by Emily Chang |
Veggie Curry
Sodexo’s curry potato dish in the Be Vital vegetarian station is blessedly vegan! It comes along with naan bread (aka Indian pancakes), baked mixed vegetables, and a couscous salad. This is an ideal choice for those who are craving filling and savory food.
 |
| Taken by Emily Chang |
Clear broth soups and steamed vegetables
Clear broth soups and steamed vegetables from the Be Asian station are the best choice if you want something hearty and warm. A great thing is also that both soups and vegetables are relatively inexpensive. My favorite thing to do is to buy a soup and eat it with plain rice or bread. Some possible soups, which we had recently, were Loofah Clear Soup and Russian Borsch!
 |
| Taken by Emily Chang |
 |
| Taken by Emily Chang |
Salad Bar
At the salad bar, I recommend starting off with lettuce, and if possible always adding rice or cous cous. Pesto and marinara sauce pastas are vegan and a great option for staying fuller for longer. Some absolute musts for me are baby tomatoes, beans, and potatoes. And lastly, it is always great to top of your salad with some vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, and chickpeas. After assembling your salad, I recommend adding olives and salsa. And don’t forget, the cafeteria kiosk is always offering their own ready-made salads with avocado.
Sandwich Bar
Like the salad bar, the sandwich bar has a variety of vegan choices, as well as healthier options of bread, like whole wheat wraps. In addition to the traditional lettuce, tomato and crispy cucumbers, a highlight from this station is adding humus on your sandwich, along with bell peppers or grilled eggplants.
 |
| Taken by Emily Chang |
Crackers, Smoothies, and Fruit and Vegetable Cups
Wanting to eat a light snack in between classes? Fill up on various flavors of crackers from the kiosk, everyone’s go to savory snack. There is also refreshing all-fruit smoothies served at the kiosk, a must try would be the green tea smoothie. And of course, there are healthy fruit and vegetable cups containing delectable fruits and vegetables. Be ready to share all these delicious options.
And of course, you can order anything from food stations like Be Asian, Be Global, and Be Vital and ask to remove the meat or dairy item. Being vegan is a healthy option for the environment and oneself. Enjoy all the vegan options that Sodexo has to offer!
Emily Chang
