Healthy Eating Around Campus: Where to Score a Delicious and Nutritious Meal On-The-Go

By Margaret Joel

As summer comes to a close and school starts up again, it’s easy to fall back into old routines. No, not the routines of going to class, studying, and squeezing social time in. I’m talking about habits like late-night Ben & Jerry’s, easy microwavable mac and cheese, and of course, Zilly fries.

Summer is usually a time that adds a certain motivation to our diets, a time when we pay extra attention to healthy eating. Easily accessible to us is fresh produce, fruits in season, and farmer’s markets are galore. However, as we get back to school, it can seem like our diets take ten steps backwards. Sometimes, the kitchen and dorm space we are given mixed with the stresses that the school year brings don’t allow us to make the same smart choices as we did the season before.

But regardless of these circumstances, there does exist many health-conscious options near campus that are both easy and delicious, to pick up after a long day of classes. Here are just a few of our favorites:

Snap Kitchen

Snap Kitchen is an easy way to incorporate balanced, home-cooked meals into your diet without having to step foot in a kitchen. The company allows you to filter food choices based on specific diets or allergens, and you can even subscribe to one of their “meal plans.” Choose their delivery option or pop into their Villanova location for grab-and-go choices.

Snap Kitchen, 775 E Lancaster Ave Suite 120, Villanova

Bryn & Dane’s

Image via tripadvisor.com

Bryn & Dane’s is focused on the goal of making healthy easy. Located right on Lancaster Ave in Bryn Mawr, the menu includes smoothies, salads, and wraps, all made quickly for a student on the run.

Bryn & Dane’s, 915 Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr 

Sunset Moon Café

The Superfoods Café at Sunset Moon Wellness Center is a vegan option that serves healthy, organic, and fresh meals. Their menu ranges from breakfast to dinner, and has everything from a tofu scramble to veggie miso ramen. Sunset uses reusable glass jars for to-go orders, so after paying a $1.25 deposit for the container, you can choose to bring it back later for a refund or keep it for refills and $0.10 off your next order.  

Sunset Moon Wellness Center, 1007 West Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr 

Raw Can Roll

A lesser-known spot on the Main Line, Raw Can Roll has various options for raw, organic, and delicious healthy food. They specialize in juices made with all-natural, organic ingredients, and were even ranked as one of the best juice cleanses in Philadelphia by Philadelphia Style Magazine.

Raw Can Roll Café, 767 Lancaster Ave, Wayne

HipCityVeg

Located near another delicious healthy option, SweetGreen, HipCityVeg opened this summer in Suburban Square and is a tasty option if you are looking for 100% plant-based cuisine. Known as a fast-casual place to grab food, they use organic, non-GMO, soy ingredients, and locally-sourced products whenever possible.

HipCityVeg, 76 Coulter Ave Suite 18, Ardmore, 

Naked Lunch at Mom’s

It’s no secret that Mom’s Organic Market is a great option for locally-sourced organic products. However, their made-to-order food café, Naked Lunch, is an amazing healthy option for power bowls, salads, and juices close to campus.

Mom’s Organic Market, 1149 E Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr

PokeOno

Poke bowls are a great healthy option packed with omega 3 fats and nutrient-rich vegetables, and we are lucky enough to have our very own poke-centered restaurant right here on the Main Line. Although the traditional poke bowl is made from cubed ahi tuna over rice, PokeOno has various twists on the creation, and you can even customize your own in-store.

PokeOno, 59 W Lancaster Ave, Ardmore