Tag Archives: lunch

Nutritious Restaurants Around Town

As college students, we all have those nights when you’re just not in the mood to cook, the meal at your sorority/fraternity house might not be what you’re craving, or maybe you’re just sick and tired of the dining hall food. Whatever the reason is, we all end up going out to eat sometime or another.

For most of us, we focus on choosing the cheapest yet tastiest places to eat which usually leads to deep fried foods dripping in grease and covered in salt. It all seems great until our fate lies between the 4 for 4 deal at Cookout or the buy one get one free pizza at Dominos.

Although these foods may be satisfying to our taste buds, they aren’t very kind to our health. It’s time to start including the nutritional quality as a factor when deciding where to eat. Below are a few of my favorite restaurants around Tuscaloosa that have a variety of healthy options on their menu.

 

Newk’s Eatery is located on University Blvd. so it’s at a very convenient location if you don’t have time for Tuscaloosa traffic. They are known for the fresh ingredients used in their famous soups, salads and sandwiches. There are plenty of pairing options you can choose from which will ensure you leave with a full stomach. I typically choose half of the Newk’s Q sandwich and a cup of loaded potato soup, but you can pair any items you may desire. Newk’s gives you access to a Nutrition Calculator on their website so you are able to select your meal and all of its nutrition facts will appear. This is an easy and accessible way to monitor what you are feeding your body. 

 

Zoë’s Kitchen offers Mediterranean food made from scratch and it’s located right inside Bryant Denny Stadium. That’s how you know it’s good! Its menu provides options for everyone: calorie counters, gluten-free, vegetarians, vegans, and those focusing on their carb or sodium intake. My go-to meal is the Greek Chicken Pita with a side of fresh fruit. It really captures the Mediterranean taste, but at the same time it’s nothing too exotic. Not very familiar with Mediterranean food? Don’t worry, Zoë’s has a Mediterranean food pyramid available so you can be sure you are consuming the recommended amounts of food to maintain a healthy balance. 

 

Tropical Smoothie Café is a personal favorite of mine. It’s filling and refreshing so it’s a perfect choice when you’re looking for that pre/post workout meal. You can find it in Midtown Village, so if you get hungry while you’re shopping you can always stop by for one of their signature smoothies or maybe even a flatbread, wrap, or sandwich if you’ve really worked up an appetite. For those of you enjoy foods with a little kick behind it, my personal favorite is the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wrap. I also order a Kiwi Quencher for a nice balance of sweet and spicy. If you’re struggling to decide what to order, don’t panic, they have a detailed nutrition guide at your service to help you decide what food is best for you. Their motto is “eat better, feel better” so it pretty much speaks for itself.

 

 

Juice Bar is the definition of nutritious. Just stop by Legacy Park and see for yourself. I’m always up for a good smoothie so as soon as I found out about this place I couldn’t wait to try it. The first time I went I had no idea what to order because most of the ingredients were things I would never imagine you would put in a smoothie. However, don’t be alarmed, the workers are very helpful and they will make sure you get exactly what you came for. A worker introduced me to the Coco Banana Smoothie with added blueberries and I haven’t been able to order anything else ever since (this one is for all you peanut-butter lovers out there). Juice Bar uses 100% whole fruits and vegetables and also strives to purchase directly from local farms whenever possible. It’s very evident that they go the extra mile to provide their customers with the freshest and most nutritious foods, so stop by and give it a try.

Made in the Microwave: A Whole Day of Meals

Dorm-Friendly Cooking, , , , ,

Everyone knows that Sundays are lazy, lounging around days. At UA most students spend their Sundays relaxing and studying after their Saturday parties and other collegiate festivities. Sometimes, I get breakfast at the memorabilia-filled Waysider or the always crowded Another Broken Egg in the morning or go for a walk on the beautiful Riverwalk in the afternoon. Other times, I don’t leave my dorm once. Though I choose to stay in all day, I tend to get frustrated about the lack of food options available. While Crimson 2 Go and Waitr can deliver food to the dorms, the options are limited, not the healthiest, and the price tag of a meal adds up quickly with delivery fees and tips. Whenever possible, I like to cook for myself––not only because I enjoy it, but it allows me to be creative, try new things, and feel better about what I’m consuming.

Most people assume that because of dorm kitchens (if you can even call them that) food preparation is limited to the microwave. Though that may seem daunting, you don’t have to resort to Lean Cuisines, Stouffers microwavable lasagna, or Marie Calendar’s microwavable pot pies. With a little research and planning, and some grocery shopping, there are a world of delicious food options that can be prepared using just a microwave. While I was browsing, I decided I was going to try an experiment. I wanted to create a full day of meals using only a microwave, so that I could stay inside all day and still enjoy what I ate.

The Menu:

One thing I love about omelettes is that they can be easily adjusted to include anyone’s favorite add-ins: I made mine with shredded cheese and diced bell peppers, but you can add any veggie or meat! Using a glass pie plate creates an actual fluffy yellow omelette, and not the typical “scrambled egg in a mug.

I love baked potatoes for a similar reason. They are so easily personalized, and a single baked potato is cooked in just about five minutes. I eat my baked potatoes with sour cream, shredded cheese, scallions, and steamed broccoli.

If you want to opt for a healthier option, baked sweet potatoes are a good option as well. Ready in seven minutes, this hearty treat can be topped with almond butter, avocado, or cinnamon for an even better
taste.

Apples in a Bag is one of my new favorite snacks, as well as a healthy dessert when I regretfully opt out of ice cream. Just slice the apple, place it in a plastic bag with sweetener, cinnamon, cornstarch, and water. Then, seal and shake the bag, place it in the microwave, and two minutes later, the room will smell delicious and the snack will be ready. The apples can be used as a topping for oatmeal or ice cream, and pears can even be used as a substitute.

I love this dinner because it feels like a gourmet, home-cooked meal. It just requires a casserole dish! The pasta is boiled in chicken broth with minced garlic and tomatoes, then chicken, mozzarella cheese, and basil are added as finishing touches. Plus, the chicken is pre-cooked, so there is nothing to worry about regarding food-borne illnesses. This dish reminds me of my Italian roots, but it is such a simple one-pot meal.

Last but definitely not least, and my favorite meal of the day: dessert. I know very few people who don’t salivate at the words “chocolate and peanut butter.” This recipe was one of the easiest things I have ever made, and it was ready in five minutes. Topped with hot fudge and a peanut butter mousse, they might as well start serving this delicious treat at restaurants.

I have never been a fan of science, but this experiment was a blast. I loved expanding my horizons and eating tasty meals and I didn’t even leave my dorm once all day. I’d say it was a success. I was surprised at just how much a microwave could do and I would highly recommend any of these recipes. If you have your own favorite microwavable meals, feel free to share them below!