Friday, April 8, 2011

Great, Cheap and Healthy Places to Eat In Gainesville

     Hey guys!  As the semester is winding down, I find myself not wanting to spend time in the kitchen cooking healthy meals anymore when I can just go pick up a quick bite to eat.  But, even the quickest alternative can get expensive and unhealthy.   Here are a few places I find myself going back to for a delicious, inexpensive and healthy meal.

Crispers
     While Crispers is right across the street from my apartment, I never really went that often.  Well, about two weeks ago I went and can't seem to stop going back.  They have a new menu, full of soups, salads, sandwiches, flatbreads and even new entrees.  You can check out the Crispers' Menu online, there is even a nutrition calculator so you can see how many calories, fat or other nutrients are in your meal.  I also get the chef salad, every single time, unfortunately I'm a true believer of why change a good thing.  Now, Crispers is decent in price for a dinner.  A full salad and a drink is about $10, which I think is great for a dinner or even large lunch.

Pita Pit
I began my love for Pita Pit when I was a freshman living in the dorms - why?  Because they deliver in a matter of minutes to almost anywhere in Gainesville.  Pita Pit can get unhealthy with some options, but if you stick with grilled chicken, vegetables or even tuna, your pita can be a great meal.  Make sure to load up on the vegetables, that way it turns into a salad you can eat with your hands!  Pita Pit is also open late, until 3 to 4 a.m. in some locations, so if you have a late night craving you won't feel guilty choosing this instead of a greasy pizza.  To make it even easier, you can order your pita online 
here, choosing exactly what you want in your mouth.  At around $7-$8, a pita is filling and hits the spot!

Red Mango
Now, Red Mango isn't a restaurant for a meal full of proteins and vegetables and I wouldn't suggest choosing it as a dinner spot either.  Like Mochi and TCBY, Red Mango is self-serve yogurt with tons of toppings to choose from.  The thing I love about Red Mango is the yogurt is all natural, low-fat frozen yogurt with probiotics to help support a healthy immune system.  So as you stay up all night studying for finals, a yummy cup of yogurt and fruit can help, atleast a little.   With flavors ranging from dark chocolate to vanilla and pomegranate, there's always a new selection.  The toppings are great too, from fresh fruit to granola or chocolate chips for your sweet tooth.  Whether you choose to make just a cup or a parfait, Red Mango can be a healthy snack or even an alternative to a light lunch.  Red Mango also has other menu items, like smoothies and teas, that are delicious options as well.  The good thing about Red Mango is the price - 45 cents an ounce!  So, you can choose how much you'd like based on the budget you have.

     I hope you enjoy these places as much as I do, they are delicious and don't put you in food coma at the end of the meal.  Hope you have a great end of the semester, happy eating!