If you’re tired of packing on the pounds from late-night pizza and six pack splurges and don’t want to drain your bank account, check out these healthy and inexpensive campus dining options. Dining Services has partnered with the Wellness Center to offer bundled meals at a variety of locations throughout campus. For only $4.95, you can get a quick easy meal for less then 352 calories and 12 grams of fat. Each meal comes with a 20-ounce bottle of water and an item from Nikos, Mango & Manny’s, Market Square or Oasis. The low price is especially desirable given that an average meal at Oasis can cost up to $11.33. Menu items include a Buffalo chicken flatbread sandwich, Mediterranean chopped salad, Californian salad with grilled chicken and an egg and arugula salad sandwich.
For a healthy option in a hurry, check out the new vending machines located in the Ashe Building, School of Law and University Center. The machines provide fruit and low-calorie snack packs rather than candy and chips. The fruit is replaced several times a week to ensure freshness, and choices include bananas, oranges and apples. The machines also have granola bars and baked chips to satiate your salt craving. Each choice is priced at $1 to $2.50
Whether you’re craving carbs after a hard workout or just looking for a tasty treat, the Wellness Center Juice Bar and Jamba Juice in the food court offer fruity shakes that are always a good choice. The classic menu items at Jamba Juice are all less than 300 calories and come in fun flavors like “Pomegranate Pick-Me-Up” and “Mango-a-go-go.”
Even at the most frequented campus hot spots, healthy choices are easy to make. Ask for skim milk in your morning latte and opt for some veggies in your next Panda Bowl. These simple, little decisions could be the difference between bathing suit bulge and flat abs.
