Now that we’re all living on our own and don’t have our parents cooking meals for us, it can be difficult to make healthy eating choices on our own. After all how can we be expected to eat the recommended five to nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables when all we can afford is ramen? However, the city of Columbia has some great, affordable options to help you take a break from dining halls and avoid the harrowing “Mizzou 22.”
####Crushed Red####
Located at 2540 Broadway Bluffs Drive, about a 10 minute drive from campus, Crushed Red has a wide variety of healthy soups, pizzas, power bowls (bowls of healthy, protein-packed ingredients) and salads. If you don’t like the options they provide, you can even build your own pizza or salad. Additionally, on their website they provide nutritional information for every item on their menu.
####Main Squeeze####
Main Squeeze is a vegetarian restaurant located at 28 S. Ninth St., an easy walk from campus. It offers numerous protein bowls, salads, wraps, sandwiches, juices and smoothies that won’t break your bank.
####Nourish Cafe & Market####
While slightly pricier, Nourish will fulfill all of your vegan dessert desires, while also offering various smoothie, protein bowl, sandwich, salad and acai bowl options. It’s located at 1201 E. Broadway.
It’s not that college students don’t care about their health; it just gets put on the backburner when the stress over classes, clubs and being away from home takes priority. However, concentrating on a healthy diet can help your body to have the energy and nutrients it needs to focus on your schoolwork and other commitments.
“If I’m not eating as much junk food, then it feels like I’m at home where I would have a more balanced diet than if I’m just on a vacation where I would pig out more,” freshman Jimena Benavides said.
The bit of stability that a healthy diet can give could help relieve a great deal of stress, and maintaining one is not actually as hard as it seems. So, consider this a challenge to get out into the city of Columbia, begin your healthy eating journey and take that first step towards improving your life.
_Edited by Janae McKenzie | jmckenzie@themaneater.com_