Eating Vegetarian on GWorld: Where and What to Buy

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By Alex Teerlinck

I’ve always been a vegetarian, and I’ve always been a really picky eater. I drove my parents insane with my dietary limitations – there’s only so much food one can eat in the middle of nowhere in upstate New York. Plain butter and pasta got old really fast.

Coming to GW, I was really excited to try the different dining partners on campus and to explore the food scene in D.C. as a whole. That said, being vegetarian isn’t exactly the cheapest lifestyle to live here, and being picky adds a whole other level to the challenge. Last year, my roommates had hundreds of dollars left on their GWorld at the end of the semester while I had to make the dreaded call to my parents asking for more money.

This year, I’ve been able to find some really good foods both on and off GWorld that don’t break the bank. I know that a lot of GW students are vegetarian, and even if you aren’t, cutting down on meat consumption can be good for you and the planet. So others can learn from my (expensive) mistakes, I’m going to share my favorite affordable vegetarian snacks and meals on GWorld. They’re guaranteed delicious and they are also friendly to all dorm situations – you don’t need a kitchen to enjoy these meals!

South Block Mini Bowl

South Block is my guilty pleasure, but the full sized bowls can be brutal for your GWorld balance- the cost really adds up. However, they have mini bowls! It’s basically a smaller version of the Warrior Bowl; made with almond milk, organic açaí, and topped with strawberries, bananas, and their granola. So filling and so good for $7. Pro tip- add honey on the top (it’s free).

Banza Pasta

I eat this just about every day. It’s pasta/mac and cheese, but it’s made out of chickpeas (great source of protein/low in carbs!) It goes well with any pasta topping and it tastes really good. If you don’t have a full kitchen in your dorm, all you need is a bowl and a microwave to make this. It’s only about $3/box at Whole Foods for a really filling meal– definitely one of my staple foods.

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Chocolate Hummus and Fruit

I know it seems a bit strange to combine hummus and chocolate, but trust me, it’s good. Though It’s just chickpeas and chocolate, this tastes like brownie batter while acting as a great source of protein. The chocolate hummus is perfect for dipping strawberries in and it holds you over really well- a perfect between-class snack! You can get it from Whole Foods and, if you’re an Amazon Prime member, strawberries are usually discounted.

Burger Tap and Shake – Fries and Shake

This is a perfect “Treat yo self” meal. It’s no secret that BTS has the best fries on campus, and the milkshake compliments it perfectly. Super affordable (less than $10 combined), and sometimes, BTS has $2 chocolate shakes. BTS does have veggie burgers, but for the sake of being economical, opting for the fries and shake will do the job.

Dupont Farmers Market

If you’re willing to make the hike up to Dupont on Sunday Morning, the farmer’s market does take GWorld. Besides all the fresh fruit and vegetables, there’s a lot of great baked goods and juices to take back to your dorm. Processed food can get old, and the food from the farmer’s market is super refreshing. Plus, you get to get out of the Foggy bubble. I suggest if you have the patience to wait in line at the Call Your Mother bagel stand and snag a really good bagel while you’re there.