Ways to Eat Well on Campus

With so many new dining options on campus, it can be difficult to make choices about what to eat– especially if you don’t know what type of food the restaurants serve. Here is a quick guide to the new places to grab something to eat. Scroll down to read some tips and tricks to making the healthiest choices.

Wonk Burger

WONK Burger showcases meats raised directly on American University’s Airlie Berkshire Farms. Find it in the Tav near the glass doors.

Terrace Dining Room

Located in the basement of MGC, the all-you-can eat buffet on campus. TDR partners with community resources to bring in different chefs to assist with training and cooking stations. Check out the worry-free section for gluten-free, halal, and kosher options.

Pom & Honey

Pom & Honey features fresh veggies, savory homemade sauces and, of course, fresh-roasted halal meats. It also serves everyone’s favorite lemongrass chicken! Find it to the left hand side of MGC near the Einstein’s.

Absurd Bird

Absurd Bird serves sweet-cream biscuits with buttermilk fried chicken. Every sandwich is paired with whipped butter and housemade dipping sauces. They also have chicken fingers.

BUILD: Pizza by Design

BUILD: Pizza by Design is made-to-order fresh-pizza parlor. It is an assembly line format that gives customers control, including vegan and vegetarian options. 

When building you own pizza try these healthy tips: 

-Swap the regular pizza dough for a Multigrain option

-Add as many vegetables as possible. The more colors the better! 

-Swap traditional cheese for buffalo mozzarella which is packed with protein.

-Add healthy proteins like chicken or you can even try tofu or soy products  

crEATe

Healthy food and smoothies focused on wellness and on-the-go meals. Signature offerings are all high-protein and customizable to be vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free.

Market

The Market is a one-stop shop for anything you could possibly want including grab-and-go, snacks, F’Real shakes, breakfast bars, grocery items, cleaning supplies, and more!

Hissho Sushi

Hissho Sushi serves natural wasabi and ginger without any artificial coloring. They offer multigrain and brown rice, as well as traditional sushi rice, and many of their items are vegetarian and vegan. 

District Pickle

The District Pickle is a 100% Kosher retail option. The District Pickle serves a variety of Jewish delicacies such as pastrami or Reuben sandwiches as well as Matzoh Ball soup.  Find it right before the doors to the Tav.

Tips to make healthy choices on campus:

  • Avoid Wonk Burger and Absurd Bird! They offer fried and greasy foods that aren’t nutrient-dense. 
  • Pom & Honey, Create, and Hissho Sushi offer the healthiest options.
    •  For a nutritious lunch, build your own Mediterrean bowl, similar to Cava in Tenleytown at Pom & Honey. It is located in the Mary-Graydon Center where Freshii was located last semester.
    • For a healthy breakfast, grab an acai bowl packed with antioxidants at Create! It is located in the lobby of Kerwin Hall.
    • Hissho Sushi is located in the Tavern and offers sushi or dumplings which make for a nutritious snack. 

       

If you are feeling in the mood for Starbucks try the hearty Blueberry Oatmeal which is packed with protein and fiber is a great option for a quick and easy meal. If you want to make it healthier, pair it with a hard boiled egg for a healthy source of fat. Starbucks’s Egg Salad Wrap is also a smart option! It is packed with 17 grams of protein and lots of fiber to keep you feeling full and energized. 

Subway is one of the easiest places in where you can find a healthy meal. To begin, choose a whole grain or whole wheat bread. For the protein, choose grilled chicken or turkey instead of ham or other processed meats or the ones with sauces. You can also add cheese but do not add too many slices. Mozzarella is the best option. Then add, as many veggies as you like! For the dressing, choose one that is less creamy– mustard and olive oil are the best options. Fill your cup with water instead of sugary drinks. For the chips, choose the baked ones. 

Einstein Bagels can be a great dining option if you are in the mood for delicious sandwich or bagel. Here are a couple of things you can order that will keep you on track to your fitness goals. 

-Avocado Toast on a Whole Wheat Thin with One Egg is always a good idea! This meal is packed with healthy fats, whole grains, and protein which makes for a great option for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. 

-Hummus Veg Out Sandwich on Multigrain Roll is alo a great vegetarian, protein rich option. Picking hummus over cream cheese decreases the amount of calories substantially while adding more protein,

Find out more on AU Dining’s Twitter page

References:

1. One Card & Dining Services. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2019, from https://www.american.edu/ocl/onecarddining/.

2. Dining, A. U. (2019, June 5). American University Dining (@AUDining). Retrieved November 19, 2019, from https://twitter.com/audining?lang=en.