Healthy living in college is something difficult to keep up with. From cafeteria food to restaurants, it’s easy to lose sight of eating healthy because chicken fingers and fries are so convenient. Eating healthy is especially hard when your friends tempt you with late night McDonalds runs, going to the diner, or stopping somewhere to get a quick bite when you’re out with the girls. Despite what you may have experienced in the past trying to find healthy places to eat on Long Island, there are many options out there!
Green Cactus Café Mexican Grille
Here’s some good news for those of you who have a soft spot for Mexican food, but may shy away due to the copious amount of calories and the minimally healthy ingredients. Green Cactus Café features fresh daily made salsa without MSG, charbroiled and trimmed meat, fresh daily cooked beans without the use of lard (good for vegetarians and vegans!), and tortilla chips fried in 100% cholesterol-free canola oil. Along with these healthier standards, Green Cactus Café pre-warns customers about the need for a few extra minutes to cook the order, because everything is made fresh daily, meaning nothing from a can, and no microwave cooking. From tacos to burritos, burritos bowls and quesadillas, they have all the staples in Mexican cooking that leave you begging for more. They even have vegetarian options too!
Skinny Pizza
Next we have a guilt-free option for pizza lovers. It may not be grandma’s home cooked Italian, but if you’re on a calorie budget this place is a great option for some Italian food that won’t make your pants tighter by the time you’re done eating. Their main angle is their Skinny Pizza, made with no preservatives or additives, sauce made with organic tomatoes, all natural cheeses, and antibiotic and hormone-free toppings. They feature Skinny versions of Sbarro, Dominos, and Papa Johns pizzas as well as low calorie whole-wheat pastas, soups, and wraps… Yum!
Energy Kitchen
Energy Kitchen is probably the healthiest option of the three, especially for those hardcore calorie counters and health nuts. Coming straight off of their website they promise, “There are no hidden temptations, no hidden calories, and best of all, no regrets,” and the best part is that everything is always under 500 calories. Don’t believe it? The menu puts the calorie counts in plain sight, with delicious wraps, breakfast, burgers, and entrees, with the “Energy Burger” being the highest calorie burger on the menu with 485 calories. The use of white bread is taboo for them; everything is made with whole wheat. In addition, for those that stay away from red meat because of the un-healthy reputation, I assure you, this place’s beef is a step in the right direction away from a Big Mac. The beef at Energy kitchen is grass-fed and free range, as well as 90% lean and all natural. No more feeling bad about indulging in a little beef!
For more information about these eateries and to view their menus, head to the websites:
Green Cactus Café- http://www.greencactusgrill.com/index.php
Skinny Pizzaa- http://skinnypizza.com
Energy Kitchen- http://www.energykitchen.com/