Vegetarian at Rutgers? Here's how to hack on-campus dining

As a vegetarian, it can be easy to feel a bit lost in the dining halls. When the main dishes advertised are meat, I started out wondering if I would only be able to grab a plate of side veggies for every meal.

But after being at Rutgers for three years now, I have some vegetarian dining hall advice to help you mix up your meal swipe experience while on campus.

One of the easiest ways to get vegetables and protein in your meal is to make tacos or a taco bowl. If you’re on the Cook and Douglass campuses, Neilson Dining Hall has a small taco bar located near the vegetarian options.

It typically has a vegetarian or vegan option like rice and beans or refried beans and an array of toppings, including salsa, guacamole, cheese, lettuce and more.

And if your favorite dining hall is on a different campus, a great way of recreating this meal could be by using rice and beans served at the hot food bar along with salad bar toppings. In general, don't be afraid to take food options from multiple sections.

The Atrium on the College Avenue campus also offers vegan tacos and nachos at the Three Chilies station for a ready-made meal option, good for a meal swipe.

Another way to get a balance of carbs, protein and fiber in your meal is to create the classic combo of pizza and pasta with salad. There are pizza and pasta stations as well as salad bars ready for you to create a delicious, Italian-inspired meal in the Busch and Livingston campuses' dining halls and the Neilson Dining Hall.

And if you live on the College Avenue campus, the Atrium also has different kinds of vegetarian pizza options at the Pizza Pi station that you can pair with fruit or yogurt. It might not be the same thing you would get at an Italian restaurant, but it's still a balanced and tasty vegetarian meal to keep you energized between classes.

I know getting up earlier than you need to in college feels impossible, but if you’re looking to utilize your meal swipes as a vegetarian, going to the dining hall during breakfast hours is a great option!

The menu tends to rotate every day but normally includes classic breakfast dishes like pancakes or French toast as well as different options for eggs if you like them scrambled, in omelet form or on a sandwich. Pair these with fresh fruit or yogurt for a delicious and nutritious meal to start your day and keep you fueled!

Lastly, don't be afraid to try out the cook-to-order bars at each dining hall. From stir fry to omelets to make-your-own pasta, there are tons of ways to get a vegetarian meal that isn’t boring or repetitive and has all of your favorite ingredients.

You can also utilize the salad and sandwich bars to create a quick and easy meal. For this, I advise you to get to the dining halls earlier in lunch or dinner hours because the freshness of ingredients will depend on when you go.

At the end of the day, don’t be scared to try out new flavor combinations — you might find something you love!

These are just a few of the many vegetarian meals you can make for yourself using the food available to you with your meal swipes! The dining halls are a great place to try out new flavors and combinations since you can try out small portions before committing to a full meal. And while the Atrium is still new, it seems to offer a lot of great vegetarian (and vegan) options as well.

I hope these tips help you find your new favorite vegetarian meals!