Exploring Medical Students’ Dietary Preferences, Expectations and Suggestions for College Canteen Services in Mumbai, India: A Facility Based Study

Abstract Introduction: This study aimed to assess medical students’ food preferences and perceptions of canteen food, identifying gaps that hinder alignment with the UGC directive. Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted amongst the student of Medical college. A structured questionnaire was E-mailed to all students in the medical college, and 520 responded to the questionnaire, and these responses were analysed. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines were followed for reporting. Results: Most students (59.9%) consumed canteen food more than five times per week. Popular items included Indian breakfast (76.9%), tea/coffee (66.2%) and fried snacks (57.7%). Only 0.4% rated the food as very nutritious. Overall, 41.6% were dissatisfied with the food. Key suggestions included increasing the availability of healthy options (24.6%) and reducing prices of nutritious items (18.3%). Conclusion: Implementing canteen reforms by introducing healthier foods, adding nutritional labels and increasing awareness of nutritional value of commonly consumed food is essential for supporting the UGC’s goal of healthier college environments.