Eating Healthy with Paw Points
Monday, January 22, 2024
By Grace Burton, Nutrition Sciences Graduate Student and Dining Services Nutrition Practicum Student
Struggling to find healthy options while on the go? Have lots of Paw Points left over from last semester and unsure how to use them? It can be hard to navigate where and what to eat on campus when you are not in the dining commons.
There are so many easy and nutritious options around campus, so let’s explore a few ways to put your Paw Points to good use!
Tate Student Center
The Tate Student Center offers nearly endless food options, both packaged and fresh, that meet everyone’s preferences.
The Market at Tate
The Market’s pantry shelves include various granola bars, protein bars, and savory snacks. When shopping for a packaged bar, look for options with more protein and less added sugars.
There are also fresh fruits that pair well with the granola bars for a quick energy source. If you are looking for a savory snack, they also have trail mixes and beef jerky, both a great source of healthy fats and protein.
Moving on to the refrigerated section, the yogurt cups offer a good source of protein and probiotics. There are also sandwiches on whole grain bread, wraps, and salads with chicken that will offer a quick meal on the go.
Other healthy cold options include the portable protein packs and hummus snack cups, which can be an easy snack between classes. Lastly, if you are looking for some quick protein, grab a CorePower protein shake, which contains zero added sugar and 26 grams of protein!
Barberitos
Hidden within The Market, we also have Barberitos. This Mexican style restaurant allows you to customize your burrito or bowl to build a nutritious and filling meal.
When building your meal at Barberitos, make sure to add all three macronutrients; carbs, protein, and fats, to give you a balanced meal that will keep you full for a long period of time.
I also recommend adding your favorite veggies for all of your needed micronutrients. Remember, the more color you can fit on your plate, the more nutrients you are consuming!
Bulldog Café
The Bulldog Café food court in Tate is home to three retail dining spots, all of which offer healthy options if you know what to look for when ordering.
- Panda Express: Choose brown rice for fiber, as well as added veggies for fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is important to focus on what you can add to your meals, rather than what you can take away!
- Chick-fil-a: The grilled chicken options will contain less fat and give you a great source of protein. You may also want to add a fruit cup or salad to your meal to increase your vitamin and mineral intake.
- Niche Pizza Co: Try adding protein and veggies to your pizza and a side salad for even more veggies.
Miller Learning Center: Jittery Joe’s
If you are studying away in the MLC and lose track of time, don’t worry! There are still some quick and healthy options for you to choose from at Jittery Joe’s including:
- hummus snack packs
- Yogurt cups
- Sandwich and wrap options
Terry College of Business: Rothenberger Café
Rothenberger Café is a convenient option for business students, offering snacks, meals, and beverages to fuel a full day of studies. For a quick on the go snack, choose from the following options:
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If you have a little more time on your hands, Rothenberger Café’s made to order menu items make for a healthy and delicious meal. They offer a variety of bagels, sandwiches, and salads, and even have vegetarian options!
Whether you are in a pinch between classes or have some extra Paw Points to spend, there are many healthy options when eating outside of the dining commons. I hope that this list of ideas helps you navigate the UGA dining options. As you can see, there is always a way to make your plate just a little more nutritious, so don’t be afraid to try something new and explore all of your options on campus!