Dining at Seasons, Union Drive Community Center or Conversations can get monotonous after a while. Perhaps you catch yourself scarfing down a plain hamburger every night or always grabbing a slice of pepperoni pizza.

If you can relate to any of these scenarios, it is time to switch up your eating habits. Whether your goal is to eat healthier or simply try something new, ISU Dining offers many easy and delicious alternatives to your dietary rut.

“The main thing is to be creative,” says Celia Bravard, student manager at Seasons Dining Center.

Students who work at the dining halls have become pros when it comes to utilizing different sections of the dining center to make their meals unique.

Bravard enjoys topping her soups off with red pepper slices or shredded carrots from the salad bar.

Cameron Aisenbrey, a communication specialist with ISU Dining, loves to top his chicken sandwiches from the grill with items from the salad bar like salsa, spinach and even pineapple.

If dining hall food still doesn’t satisfy your appetite, ISU Dining encourages students to submit their favorite recipes.

Here are 14 ways to get creative (and healthy) at the dining halls:

• Top your salad with a chicken breast or fish from the grill.
• Take a piece of bread or a wrap, spread hummus on it, and load it up with a variety of fresh veggies from the salad bar.
• Amp up your soup with additional vegetables from the salad bar. For example, add peas to chicken noodle soup or shredded carrots to beef stew.
• Make your own parfait. Grab some yogurt from the salad or condiment bar and stir in fresh banana slices, Craisins, chopped nuts, granola, cherries, banana chips or fruit pie filling.
• Make a banana split using frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.
• Substitute a large piece of lettuce (from the grill) in place of a wrap. Fill it at the deli or salad bar.
• Substitute salad dressings like ranch with red wine vinegar, hummus or cottage cheese
• Add peanut butter, a sliced banana and a drizzle of chocolate to sweeten up traditional oatmeal.
• Top pasta with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes and parsley for a lighter take on traditional Alfredo sauce.
• Replace the croutons on your salad with crunched up pita chips.
• Make your own trail mix with nuts, banana chips, dry cereal, M&Ms and raisins.
• Combine soymilk, fresh fruit and yogurt in a cup. Mash it together to make a smoothie.
• Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and take it to the deli to have it toasted to gooey perfection.
• Top steamed vegetables with a drizzle of marinara or a sprinkle of cheese.