Forming an Opportunity Belief

I believe there is an unmet need in regards to healthy, organic fast food options on campus. Every incoming freshman gets the dreaded talk about avoiding the fifteen pounds that incoming freshman are known to gain during their first year of college, also known as the "freshman 15". The tendency to gain weight at the beginning of college is significant enough to earn this lasting title. College is a big step. Students start to form new eating habits once they are living on their own without mom and dad telling them what to do. More time is spent studying, so it can be easy to mindlessly snack on junk and spend less time being active. For many, food is a comfort used to combat the homesickness and emotional stress of being away from home. As a result, after freshman year many students start to take their health more seriously. The university gym gets packed and as students move into apartments, they learn how to cook for themselves and eat healthier. The problem is that most of the food options on campus are still fast food restaurants that serve only fried food. It may be easier to eat healthy at home, but it's nearly impossible to eat healthy on campus. I believe I could solve this problem with the idea of creating a healthy, organic fast food restaurant. This need is not new, but with the rise of health consciousness and diet culture, especially in the last decade, it seems to be needed now more than ever. Some fast food restaurants, like Chipotle and Chick-Fil-A, do have "healthy options," but there are few fast food restaurants dedicated to serving only fresh, healthy, organic meals with a wide variety of options (besides just salads). There is a need for a fast food restaurant with healthy options for everyone, including vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, people with Celiac disease, and people following a keto or paleo diet. Due to the lack of healthy options available, many students opt for meal prepping at home and bringing healthy snacks with them on the go.

#1: Twenty-two year old female, Master's student

• Is healthy eating important to you? Why or why not? 
• Yes, it is important to me. I am someone who tends to be underweight, and I am always looking for healthy ways to gain weight - such as eating more healthy fats found in avocados and olive oil. Most importantly though, I eat healthy because it makes me feel good. As someone who struggles with IBS, eating unhealthy leads to stomach aches. I try my best to listen to the way my body responds to food and eat accordingly. 

• Did you gain the freshman 15? What were the contributing factors? If not, how did you avoid it?
• I did not gain the freshman 15, and I believe this was a product of genetics. I have a very high metabolism and have always been a very thin person. Overall though, when comparing the quantity of food that I eat to others, I believe that I eat smaller portions/less food than most people. 

• More often do you cook for yourself at home or do you eat out?
• I eat at home more often. Partially to save money, and partially because I can better control what goes in my body at home. Most heavy meals at restaurants don't sit well with my stomach. 

• Most of the time do you pack a lunch with you or do you buy food on campus?
• I usually buy food on campus. I should pack a lunch, but I don't often take the time to. However, I do pack snacks almost every day to eat during/between classes. 

• What is the most important factor for you when you are on campus and need to buy something to eat?
• Convenience. I tend to eat wherever is closest. 

• Do you feel that there are adequate healthy food options on or around campus?
• No, not at all. This has been an issue since I started at UF 5 years ago, and continues to be an issue. I can't name any place other than the restaurants in Newell and in Heavener that offer decently healthy options. 

• Would you eat at a healthy fast food restaurant over the typical fast food chains? Why or why not?
• Definitely. I'm willing to spend the extra money for higher quality food. As someone who physically feels better when eating healthy, I would happily support a healthier fast food restaurant. Also, college is the time to build healthy habits. This is difficult though when there are no healthy options on campus and many students don't have cars to grocery shop regularly. 

• What would prevent you from eating at a healthy fast food restaurant?
• Time. I have noticed that healthier restaurants tend to struggle with the "fast" part of fast food. As a busy student, I don't want to wait in long lines. Also, I would expect the food to actually taste good. Many healthy restaurants fail to make their food interesting and appealing to a wide audience. Finally, if the prices are very high, I may hesitate to go often. 

#2: Twenty-two year old female, college senior

• Is healthy eating important to you? Why or why not? 
• Yes, having a balanced diet promotes good health and increases life expectancy. It also makes you feel better and has positive effects on your mood and skin tone. 

• Did you gain the freshman 15? What were the contributing factors? If not, how did you avoid it?
• Yes/no. My weight experienced fluctuations but not 15 pounds worth. But, I also increased my physical activity so it balanced out well. I work on campus and walk a ton. During finals I would lose some weight but I remained in the same size clothing. 

• More often do you cook for yourself at home or do you eat out?
• I cook at home most evenings and meal prep my food for lunches. I'm not a big breakfast eater so it's usually a protein shake or something pre-made, but with ingredients from the store.

• Most of the time do you pack a lunch with you or do you buy food on campus?
• I pack food most days, but I will purchase food if I'm in a rush. 

• What is the most important factor for you when you are on campus and need to buy something to eat?
• Healthy options like keto friendly options with low sugars.

• Do you feel that there are adequate healthy food options on or around campus?
• To an extent. For the most part yes, but it's hard to tell how fresh some foods are or how long they have been sitting out. 

• Would you eat at a healthy fast food restaurant over the typical fast food chains? Why or why not?
• For sure, if the options are both equally convenient, I always opt for the healthier option. 

• What would prevent you from eating at a healthy fast food restaurant?
• Distance from campus. I wouldn't want to leave campus just to get a healthier option if I'm in a rush. If I had enough time to do that I would opt to go home and make my own lunch, which is usually cheaper. 

#3: Twenty-one year old male, college senior, former college football player

• Is healthy eating important to you? Why or why not? 
• I'm more inclined to eat for the energy I need rather than actually counting calories.

• Did you gain the freshman 15? What were the contributing factors? If not, how did you avoid it?
• I did, however I was a football player at the time, so it was intentional. It could probably be avoided by buying your own food from the store instead of campus food.

• More often do you cook for yourself at home or do you eat out?
• I cook for myself more often. 

• Most of the time do you pack a lunch with you or do you buy food on campus?
• I don't do either. I just cook when I'm at home. 

• What is the most important factor for you when you are on campus and need to buy something to eat?
• If I'm on campus, I look for something simple that university diners couldn't get wrong if they tried. 

• Do you feel that there are adequate healthy food options on or around campus?
• There are if you look in the right places. The entrees not necessarily, but there are generally healthy options.

• Would you eat at a healthy fast food restaurant over the typical fast food chains? Why or why not?
• I prefer to avoid fast food altogether, but if I had to I'd probably pick a healthy one. 

• What would prevent you from eating at a healthy fast food restaurant?
• Just having better options or making food at home is almost always a better option for me. 

Reflection: 

College students are aware of the lack of healthy fast food options on or near campus. They would appreciate having more access to healthier options. However, most of the time students prefer to just make their own healthy meals at home.