Top 10 Healthy Eats on Main Street

I cannot appreciate enough how much of a selection of food there is at The University of Delaware. Wether it's the quality food offered for freshmen at the newest dining hall on East Campus, or the endless selection of meal choices on Main Street . . . UD does not disappoint. But for those afternoons before class, or the mornings you are walking out of your 8 am, do you really want "just any quick meal" main street has to offer? My answer is NO, and yours should be too! I will say. . . I am a pretty cheap person when it comes to buying food out, only because I know that I can usually create meals that are 100x tastier and healthier in my own apartment, but for the days when I am out and about trying to study or make it to class without passing out from starvation you can bet I am going to spend my money wisely . . . meaning I am going to get the best HEALTH BANG for my buck !

Now that I am a Junior at UD, I have discovered numerous options for staying healthy on campus! So not only are my TOP 10 Eats on Main Street HEALTHY, they are affordable, and SO yum ! (wink wink)

Healthy Eat #1: Central Perk - Avocado and Egg White Sandwich

Carbohydrate: Whole Grain toasted Bagel (treat-yo-self kind of day = toasted everything bagel)

Healthy Fats: Avocado

Protein: Egg White

Healthy Eat #2: Homegrown - Vegetable Burger Wrap

This wrap is a pretty penny ($13), but SO worth it and it fills you up with all the best veggies possible ! I order the house salad and add the veggie burger into a whole wheat wrap. You can chose a side of kettle cooked chips or a side salad. Chose what you like, and don't restrict yourself. If you like the earthy & sweet taste of beets then you'll dream about this wrap on a daily basis like me . . . and if you don't like that taste than I wouldn't suggest this one for lunch... maybe adding another protein like Chicken or Salmon would be best !

Healthy Eat #3: Roots Natural Kitchen - Create Your Own

Personally, I have never been a big chipotle fan, I think it's because I don't ever really crave Mexican food . . . weird because I am Spanish. Any who, if you go to Roots word on the street is that "El Jefe" is the bomb.com if your a Chipotle or El Diablo lover, but better than that you get extra dark greens (packed with tons of fiber, calcium, and antioxidants) . . . It's no surprise Kale is considered a power green! Creating your own roots bowl can be difficult, and I think it's ultimately the type of dressing and the amount that be the real game changer, but here is my FAVORITE COMBO:

Base: Majority Kale + scoop of roots rice (the brown colored rice blend)

Toppings: White Beans, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Broccoli, Cherry Tomatoes, & Pickled Onions

Protein: BBQ Tofu

Dressing: Light Ginger Soy

Healthy Eat #4: SNAP - Create your Own

Ever since I have stopped eating dairy products (due to it's acne causing problems, ugh) it's been pretty hard to avoid my favorite cheese ever... Mozzarella, nom nom ! BUT I will say I do enjoy cheese every once and awhile! Vegetable pizzas have never been better, especially now that you can literally create your own, with whatever you want, and all the veggies your heart desires, or cheese if your down for the classic Margarita. I enjoy Snap Pizza because as my blog and instgram declare, FOOD is SO yum and should always be SO fun. Enjoy the process of creating your own pizza, and wether what be adding all the veggies or all the meat and cheese you want, chose your toppings with this in mind, "Eat the foods that make you feel good."

MyFavorite Combo for feel good eats: thin crust (Gluten free or Regular), Pesto, Tomato Sauce, chickpeas, butternut squash, cherry tomato halves, roasted broccoli, all topped with my favorite balsamic glaze and fresh basil leaves.

Healthy Eat #5: Grain on Main - Veggie Sandwich

So get this, carbs aren't bad for you, but it is important to be mindful of where your sources of carbohydrates are coming from in your diet. QUICK NUTRITION LESSON 101: Carbs are in Vegetables, Fruits, Table Sugar, Baked Good, Grains, Breads, and Pastas . . . So when I say they aren't bad I also mean they shouldn't be avoided . . . because well they're everywhere ; Ahhh scary!

So yes, the potato roll on this sandwich may not have the same benefits of a whole grain roll or hamburger bun, but it isn't the worse source of carbohydrates, especially if you aren't eating this for lunch everyday. Plus, you get all the wonderful benefits of the vegetables packed into this delicious sandwich !

Healthy Eat #6: Central Perk - Avo on Multi

Yes, I am back to central perk because it's actually my favorite spot on campus for eating and studying . . . pretty much my life! So to pass the time, when it comes to cramming in between class or before a tough exam I enjoy the Yum & Fun of the "Avo on Focaccia" minus the Focaccia and substituted with Multigrain grain bread for additional fiber!

My alterations: Multigrain or whole wheat bread toasted, minus the mozzarella cheese, + EXTRA AVOCADO ! Yummy!

Healthy Eat #7: Trabant - Create your own salad or wrap

Yes, I know this may seem skeptical to some of you, or most of your who aren't Freshman and no longer use flex or points, but don't be fooled by the healthy options offered through our campus. Trabants very own "Greens to Go" was definitely my favorite Sophomore year, and would still probably be an option in between class if I didn't already spend my $150 worth of flex. . . lol.

MY GO-TO SALAD/WRAP COMBO: If you're creating a wrap I usually go with whole wheat, ask for small bit of hummus, tons of spinach leaves for the dark greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrot shreds, avocado, edamame, and if your lucky FALAFEL or SALMON ! . . . And if you are creating an on-the-go salad just add all the same ingredients into your salad :)

Healthy Eat #8: Newark Natural Foods/ Cafe 67 - Grab and Go Meals

Newark Naturals has a selection of healthy eats for on-the-go satisfaction ! I usually get a couple things at the beginning of the week and save for meals throughout the week ! Here are some of my favorites:

1. VLT - Veggie Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich - many of these pre-made sandwiches are made with whole wheat bread and contain an assortment of vegetables in-between. My favorite one contains TONS of hummus :)

2. Fresh sushi - Brown Rice California Roll - this can sometimes be a hit or miss depending on the time of the day, but for the most part the sushi always looks fresh ! Just look around and be mindful of all the extra sauces added to the roll . . . try brown rice for extra fiber and nutrients !

3. Create your own Salad - you can't go wrong with this option (refer to my picture), so definitely create this the way YOU want, but always be mindful of additives like dressing (the sugar content in some dressings can be extremely high), try lemon and olive oil, or balsamic vinegar !

4. Breakfast option - Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Smoothie - A filling smoothie with all the dark greens from the spinach, natural sugars from organic honey, plant based protein, and healthy fats from the AVO!! Fills me up and helps my craving for the calorie dense breakfast options that may only contain carbohydrates and simple sugars.

Healthy Eat #9: Panera Bread - Power Almond Quinoa Oatmeal

Lately, I haven't been into Panera for my grab and go lunch alternatives. but I must say their breakfast options are AMAZING, and so are their bagels (please someone let me know how the cinnamon toast crunch bagel tastes). I haven't tried this exact breakfast pick me up, but I am sure it does not disappoint. Tons of long lasting energy from the Steel cut oats and quinoa will have you feeling satisfied for hours in the morning! PLUS you get the delicious addition of Monounsaturated fats from the sliced almonds, and some natural sugars from the honey . . . MUCH healthier than brown sugar ! Purchase a banana on the side & you've got a bomb breakfast if you ask me ;)

Healthy Eat #10: Taverna - Grilled Spicy Shrimp

So. . . maybe this isn't the cheapest meal around, but it sure is delicious, & DEF SUPER HEALTHY ! There are a wide range of nutrients found in this meal including the healthy Omega-3s found in the jumbo shrimp, the other healthy fats found in the oil used to cook the vegetables in, and yeah all the delicious veggies themselves ! The orzo pasta is a nice touch for some complex carbohydrates, of course. This is definitely a treat-yo-self type of meal . . . SO ENJOY !

NOTE: There is minimal "spice" to the shrimp, so if any of you are sensitive to spicy foods like me, you'll really enjoy the flavor of this entree.

Get to eating, and remember there are always healthy options for the times when you are on-the-go !

For more healthy eating questions contact me at: rmahalow@udel.edu