By Devin Vargas
A variety of food options are available for Texas Students to choose from when going from class to class daily on campus but Shake Smart is one of the few restaurants that focuses purely on healthy eating for college students on the go.
Shake Smart’s menu consists of shakes and smoothies, coffee, oats, acai bowls, wraps, and greens. Any option you get at Shake Smart can also be made as a gluten free, lactose free, or vegan friendly alternative.
“I would definitely recommend [Shake Smart] for a novice in starting a healthy lifestyle,” said Alex Loma, an exercise and sport science major at Texas State.
Located inside of the Texas State Student Recreation Center, Shake Smart is typically consumed right before or after a workout. The location promotes a healthy lifestyle by not only serving healthy meal options, but also supports a fitness journey.
With 52 different shakes available at Shake Smart with each an average of 250 calories, 25.7 grams of protein, and 23 grams of sugar there is an abundance of healthy options to choose from. The low amount of calories and high amount of protein in each shake allows the shake to be used as a meal substitute for people looking to lose either fat or weight.
“ It tastes amazing.The ingredients are way better,” said Loma.
There are also 15 different kinds of standard acai bowls with an average of 294 calories, 12.5 grams of protein, and 32.8 grams of sugar. More on the sweet side, the acai bowls are a great way to consume the recommended daily natural sugars and vitamins such as vitamin D. There are also options to create your own bowl with granola, banana, coconut, dark chocolate, chia seeds, almonds, or bee pollen to use as toppings.
“ I get it since it’s a healthier option, and after a workout it something you can grab at the rec,” said costomer David Barron
Although there are only two all natural sandwich options, the sandwiches have been considered one of the favorite items on the menu at Shake Smart. There is the peanut butter sandwich which consists of 342 calories, 14 grams of protein and 9 grams of sugar. There is also the almond butter sandwich which consists of 352 calories, 13 grams of protein and 8 grams of sugar. These two sandwiches provide a great source of protein and dietary fiber.
There are 8 different types of oatmeal bowls available for customers to order from on the menu. Each bowl consists of an average of 276.5 calories, 9.5 grams of protein, and 11.25 grams of sugar and the dietary fiber that is recommended daily.
If you are looking for a meal low in calories and packed full of protein that can also fill you up, the wraps are known to be at the top of the list in meeting these needs. There are six different types of wraps each with an average of 503.5 calories, 37.8 grams of protein, and only 6.5 grams of sugar. Each wrap comes with a choice of added cheese and sauce of your choice.
For someone that is consuming around 2,000 calories a day and for people on a calorie deficiency wanting to lose weight or fat, Shake Smart is an option that is available to for Texas State students to choose from when maneuvering through daily classes and trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are always custom choices that are available for customers to build their own meal or shake.
Shake Smart shakes and Shake with your Coffee range in prices from $3.95 – $4.95 and the smoothies are $4.45 – $5.45. The Exotic Shakes, Specialty shakes and Super Greens price ranges are from $4.45 – $6.95 depending on which shake you order. Sixteen ounce juices are also offered from $2.95 as another drink option. For the healthy snacks choices the Acai Protein Bowl is $5.95, PB & B Sandwich and Wholly Oatmeal are $2.95.
Shake Smart is open Monday – Thursday: 7 am -10pm, Friday: 7am -9pm, Saturday & Sunday: 7am -8pm for students and staff to support a healthy on the go college lifestyle.
“ As long as you get the right thing it’s great to start off your [fitness] journey,” said Emma Durham, student worker at Shake Smart.
Shake Smart is located inside of the Student Recreation Center on Texas State Campus with students playing volleyball through the window. 
Emma Durham, a worker at Shake Smart, making a large PB squared shake. 
A large PB Squared protein shake made out of peanut butter, whey protein powder, bananas, and honey from Shake Smart. 
Asado is a Latin Grill located in Jones Dining Hall that provides healthy alternatives to other latin grills while also having vegan substitutes for any protein or cheese in the meal. 
A beef bowl with chicken and black beans topped with queso and vegan mild salsa from Asado Latin Grill. 
Panda Express, located in Jones Dining Hall right next to Create, does not specialize in healthy eating, however depending on what the consumer chooses for their meal, can be made to be very good for the body and overall health. 
A bigger plate order with two orders of chicken teriyaki and one order of broccoli beef over steamed white rice from Panda Express getting carbs, veggies, and proteins all in one meal. 
Create is located in Jones Dining Hall and is a sandwich shop that allows the customer to create their own sandwich, similar to Panda Express, Create can be very healthy for the body depending on how the meal is created. 
Global Evolution is a BBQ restaurant located at the LBJ Market in the Student Center which provides grilled bowls of chicken or smoked bowls of sausage and brisket easy to grab on the go. 
The grilled Peri Peri Chicken plate comes with steamed vegetables, bell peppers, and grilled chicken, while the smoked sausage bowl comes with boiled baby potatoes, smoked sausage, grilled peppers, and corn available to grab and check out for students in a hurry.
