Gainesville is filled with great places to eat, and everybody has a favorite go-to restaurant. At the top of most collegiettes’™ lists are Chipotle, Leonardo’s By the Slice and Tijuana Flats. We all love eating at these restaurants after a long day of classes or a weekend get-together with the girls, but we never think of eating a healthy meal as an option there…Well, now you can! I’ve gone to each of these restaurants and found a way to make your meal just a little healthier when you visit your favorite spots around town.
1. Chipotle Chipotle is an obvious UF favorite, but what you might not realize is that there are ways to eat healthy there, too! The healthiest option to order is the burrito bowl, which completely eliminates carbs from the tortilla. If you’re really craving an actual burrito, ask for a whole wheat tortilla. Next, ask for brown rice, which, unlike white rice, is rich in natural proteins and minerals along with fiber and whole grains. On top of rice, get black beans instead of pinto because they have far less sodium. As for the meat, chicken is the healthier choice because red meat is proven to be high in saturated fats and cholesterol. But if you want to be extra healthy, go vegetarian! Now, you’re at the best part of your delicious (and healthy) burrito bowl — the toppings! Ask for extra lettuce on your bowl, and yes, get the veggies. Go light on the cheese, and don’t get sour cream; both of these foods are high in fat. You’ve now made a delectable and ultimately healthier Chipotle meal!
2. Leonardo’s By the Slice If you’ve never been to Leonardo’s, you’ve missed out on the best pizza near campus, but now you’ll know how to get a healthy, tasty meal. Located across from the Holiday Inn on West University Avenue, it’s a great place to eat after studying or before a night out. Leo’s has so many choices for pizza, which are all covered in greasy, fat-filled cheese, except their hidden treasure: the vegan pizza. Typically written off due to the lack of cheese and excess veggies, it’s overlooked and forgotten by most, but not us collegiettes™! It’s the healthiest pizza out there; it’ll make your taste buds and body happy. Leonardo’s also has a great Greek salad loaded with sprouts and chickpeas, so you get protein in a healthy way. If you successfully avoid the garlic rolls, you’ve just had the healthiest Leonardo’s meal possible.
3. Tijuana Flats This local hot spot is located right across from The Swamp, so whether you’re pre-gaming, post-gaming or just grabbing a quick bite to eat, there’s always a healthy option at Tijuana Flats! At this unique establishment, a soft shell whole wheat taco is one of the best options. Fill it with black beans (less sodium!), lettuce and tomatoes (not salsa). Stick with no sour cream, and go light on the cheese. Now, you have a healthy Tijuana-style meal without the added guilt.
We all want to eat healthy to avoid the Freshman 15, but often, we don’t see it as an option at local restaurants. With my successful tips and tricks, it now is possible. I hope you take my advice and choose a healthier option the next time you decide to eat out in Gainesville. Enjoy, collegiettes™!
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