With the new year right around the corner and those resolutions from last year creeping up on you, you may be wondering what you can do differently this time around! Everyone knows eating healthy can get a little pricey, so when it comes time to count on those meal points, you only have a couple things to choose from… or do you? Here’s a break down of the healthy choices you can make whether you’re in the Stu or coming out of Lentz and making a stop at Einstein’s.
World of Wings (WOW)
Approaching WOW can be a little overwhelming because you’re instantly hit with the smell of fried chicken. Everything on the menu looks so good and they even have vegetarian options. If you’re counting calories, they even provide that right on the menu. Some good options that won’t completely destroy your macros would be the California Veggie Burger, the Covington Salad or even a Grilled Chicken sandwich. I would steer clear of any of the fried chicken options. Another thing to pay attention to is the side of fries that comes with most of the meals (even the healthier ones). You can always sub out the fries for a side salad or just ditch the side altogether and opt for some fresh fruit next door at Sub Connection!
Photo courtesy of Karina Lee
Baja Fresh
If you’re in the Stu and you have a taste for Mexican food, Baja is the place to be. It might be a little more difficult to count calories here however since they have the range of calories under the food instead of their exact numbers. A smart choice to make here would be close to a burrito bowl. Definitely stack up the black beans, lettuce, tomato, salsa and roasted veggies. If you want extra protein, adding shrimp or chicken could also be a good choice. I know it’s hard to avoid cheese, so if you can’t, skip the queso fundido and maybe just have them top it off with some Cotija cheese. Don’t forget the guac !
Photo courtesy of Karina Lee
Sub Connection
So, you’re in the mood for a sandwich? Sub Con is the place for you! This is where you can get creative. There are a ton of different healthy combinations and you can even create salads here! I always opt for the 6-inch flatbread, but the possibilities are endless. The calories for everything are posted and everything under 500 calories is marked. Grab a banana or an orange for some extra Vitamin C!
Photo courtesy of Karina Lee
Seattle’s Best Coffee & Red Zone
Seattle’s Best is a hidden gem. Located next to the bookstore, my first time walking in was like walking into a dream. Other than the fact that you can get your coffee fix without trekking all the way to Starbucks, they also make smoothies and blended drinks! If you’re in the mood for a panini, this is the place for you. They also have refrigerators with sushi, cold sandwiches, all natural granola bars and chips, and fresh fruit! The only downfall for Seattle’s Best and most of the other places across campus is how expensive some of the items can be (we’re broke, hello)!
Photo courtesy of Karina Lee
Photo courtesy of Karina Lee
The Red Zone is no exception to that. Upon walking in, you can be sure to find a wide array of cookies and chips, ice cream, pizza, candy and juice. There is, however, a hidden gem. Inside one of the freezers, you’ll find a ton of all natural, meatless and gluten-free options.
Photo courtesy of Karina Lee
Photo courtesy of Karina Lee
Einstein’s & Freshens
All hail the carbs! With the library smack dab in the middle of campus, Einstein’s and Freshens are always pre-class pit stops. Both menus also include calorie counts while the Einstein’s menu lets students know what options are vegetarian-friendly as well as which items contain nuts. If you want to go even further into the macros of everything, the MyFitnessPal app has all of the logistics for Einstein’s! For a couple extra bucks, you can even sub egg whites to your breakfast sandwich. As far as Freshens, the menu lets students know what items are gluten-free. Personally, I stay away from here just because I make my own smoothies which are sorbet free, but in the event that you have a sweet tooth and are short on supplies, a small Mango Me Crazy™ might do the trick.
Photo courtesy of Karina Lee
The Cafeteria
Ah, the Caf. You can’t live with it and you can kind of live without it but in the event that you can’t, this is what you need to do. Despite whatever theme of the day Sodexo is going for, they’ll always have the pizza and pasta in the corner. Abort mission! If you want to stick to your resolution and your friends are insisting on the Caf for dinner, they will always have hot vegetables with whatever entree they whipped up. They also always have a salad bar. For nutrition information specifically for foods in the Caf, you can download the app Bite and it always shows the menu for the day.
I’m sure no matter where you choose to eat, you’ll knock your New Year’s resolution out of the park!
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