Graphic by Chelsea Bellomy/Old Gold & Black

There is an increasing number of people in America who are beginning to opt for vegetarian or vegan-based diets.

The most common reason to do so is to cut down on empty calories and fatty foods and to create a healthier lifestyle. As a vegetarian or as a vegan, it can be challenging to find meal options on campus that are both tasty and healthy or to find any options at all. The campus has definitely recognized the need for more vegetarian and vegan options at primary dining facilities like The Pit and there are more Old Gold options that allow vegetarians and vegans to buy wholesome meals. Check out this list of foods that are bound to please the taste buds of vegetarians and vegans alike!

Zicks Nestled on the ground floor of Poteat, not only does Zicks have a great ambiance for hanging out with friends, but it also has some great options for vegetarians. The Old Gold includes two slices of pizza and a drink. Of the two pizzas that are prepared throughout the day, one tends to be cheese-only, and the other is frequently a veggie-only pizza. Zicks also offers custom-made pizzas that are just as, if not more, delicious than the Old Gold option. As of last semester, mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce, garlic knots and delicious curly fries are also on the menu. Needless to say, for the vegetarian who doesnt want every meal to be salad, Zicks offers some scrumptious meal options.

Shortys Restaurant Gone are the days of the famous freschetta burger at Shortys. However, the restaurants menu is full of great vegetarian and vegan options. Vegetarians will love the Chop Shop custom-made veggie burgers, the mozzarella sticks, tomato basil soup, apple walnut salad and the ridiculously succulent triple cheese grilled sandwich (best paired with the soups). Dont forget the Nutella, peanut butter and banana sandwich! Whats more, Shortys includes vegan options like the vegan hummus platter with seasonal vegetables and chips, as well as the Shortys House Salad.

Bistro 34 The brunch menu is heaven for those looking for great vegetarian options. The Bistro provides excellent Belgian waffles, monkey toast, spinach and feta omelette and benedict florentine. Lets not even get started on the dessert menu. For lunch, the lentil veggie burger, hummus platter and vegan sesame Asian salad are excellent choices. For dinner, the vegan grilled portobello mushroom sandwich and falafel platter will take you straight to culinary nirvana.

The Pit and the Mag Room The Magnolia Room usually provides some vegetarian options from the Pit, but they tend to be varied and delicious definitely worth visiting for lunch between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.The Pit has made advances to cater to vegetarians and vegans. The salad bar has been diversified, the pizza and pasta section improved with healthy meal options and a soupright next to it. To top it off, the Brueggers bagels have been replaced with Bagel Station bagels (YES!). The omelet and sandwich/wrap line has always been a favorite, and the Mongolian grill definitely targets those who have a passionate love for the Genghis Grill chain of restaurants. There is a great amount of flexibility when finding a vegetarian or vegan meal option. Or, you could do what I do and head straight for the dessert section! The new Pit, formally known as the Hilltop Market, also offers a few limited vegetarian options. Apart from the salad line, the deli tends to have vegetarian paninis, pasta salads, hummus and assorted vegan meals from time to time.

Benson Food Court A quick shout-out to Moes: every time any of my friends or I get a hankering for a good vegetarian meal, we rely on either Moes Old Gold vegetarian nachos with liberally added guacamole and queso, or the Old Gold burrito bowl. You can choose tofu as your meat! If you have enough food dollars, it is definitely worth investing in the stacks and quesadillas that, if you pick the right ingredients, can transform your day from dull to fabulous. Furthermore, Boars Head has an excellent make-your-own sandwich/wrap option. Their caprese sandwich, grilled cheese and veggie burger are all excellent, too. Im sure most of us are familiar with Forest Greens Old Gold salad option and their awesome tomato florentine soup, renowned for curing a cold in less than two days (or is that just me?).

A quick 10-minute walk from campus For those who are willing to walk through Reynolda Trails to get to Reynolda Village, the caprese sandwich, Mad Hatter, Parisian Picnic and tiramisu at Silo are definitely worth it. The vegetarian and vegan options at Pane-e-Vino, such as their fish options, and the personal pizzas at Village Tavern are also worth the walk. And if none of these options please your soul, well, theres always Subway and even Dominos is just a phone call or online order away!

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Find great places to eat on campus as a vegetarian or vegan