College and fast food usually go hand-in-hand, and UF's campus is no different than most other colleges. But outside the campus boundaries, Gainesville offers numerous options for eating out that are healthy, delicious and affordable.
Breakfast isn't always the easiest meal to eat healthy. But if you shoot over to Harvest Thyme at 2 W University Ave., you will be immediately taken over by the smell of fresh bread cooking in the morning. Have a cup of their organic coffee, choose from their vegetarian menu, or get a fresh smoothie for the road.
Now for lunch you could just go get some greasy, reheated calorie monster from a fast-food place, or you could switch it up and grab an organic, vegetarian lunch from Book Lover's Cafe at 505 NW 13th St. The cafe offers a great place to get away from campus and read (or trade) a book, while you munch on a tempeh reuben or the Moroccan potato salad. They also have themed days, like Gluten-free Tuesdays or Ethiopian Thursdays.
When that late afternoon double-block is approaching, it's very tempting to grab a candy bar or a sugar-laden energy drink. Or you could head over the Genesis Juice Bar, Bites and Blends at 1109 W University Ave., just a short walk from campus. Try one of their raw juices or super smoothies, sure to refresh and energize your body and brain. The restaurant also offers wraps, salads and soups.
By dinnertime, you're worn out, hungry and tired of pizza and boring subs. How about you walk across from campus and stop into Designer Greens at 1702 W University Ave. ]Food is best when it's customized for you, and Designer Greens allows you to make your own salad, with 30 different toppings and 14 various dressings. You can also throw on a sandwich or wrap to your delicious salad if you're feeling really hungry.
After a late night of studying when you're in the mood for dessert, instead of a getting a tub of processed ice cream, dip into Karma Cream at 1025 W University Ave., where you can grab some vegan ice cream.
Everything at Karma Cream is 100 percent natural, organic and fair trade. It only offers desserts and coffee, but you can also grab an organic beer. Best of all, it's open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.
All of these alternative locales are locally owned, not huge corporations, and this comes through in the quality of its food and service.
None of these places are too expensive, and once you try organic, fresh made food, you can completely forget about fast food, and the freshman 15 will forget about you.
