Going away to college means the end of home-cooked meals and well-stocked kitchens. It may be easy to fall into the Top Ramen routine, but with some searching, Cal Poly can offer many healthy options.

Without parents directly buying food, students have the option of eating healthy or not so healthy, said Nancy Williams, the director of Campus Dining.

Though you now have the chance to gorge on burgers, candy and soda all you want since Mom and Dad aren’t around, your body may quickly regret its newly formed fat cells. Luckily, San Luis Obispo has many options for good food that’s not only tasty but also good for your health.

For most college freshmen, learning to embrace, and then remedy, the “starving college student” stereotype can be difficult. For vegetarians, the mission of going from hungry to full can sometimes seem downright impossible.

In order to aid practicing vegetarians in their hunt for the perfect meat-free meal, the Mustang Daily has accumulated a list of the best places and plates to get.

While you’ve still got your parents – and their wallets-in town, you’ve got to celebrate over dinner. San Luis Obispo is full of restuarants that the whole family will enjoy and the Mustang Daily set out to find the five best.

Alex Madonna’s Copper Caf‚ and Steak House
100 Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo
(805) 784-2430
www.

Bon Temps Creole Caf‚

1000 Olive St.

San Luis Obispo

(805) 544-2100

Cuisine: Cajun, Creole

Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

House Specialty: Gumbo and red beans and rice

Student Special: Steak and egg special before 9 a.m. for $5.99

About Us: This traditional Louisiana style restaurant offers unique meals like jambalaya, eggs benedict, corn bread and boiled peanuts for affordable prices.

Just because you’re a new student doesn’t mean you have to be confined to boxes of Easy Mac and expired bags of popcorn. A spin of creativity can turn any typical dorm room snack into a tasty (and quick) bite to eat.

Not-So-Common Ramen Salad
 1 package Top Ramen (your favorite!)
 4 cups spinach leaves, torn
 3/4 cups cooked and diced chicken (found in grocery store’s deli section)
 1/2 cup grapes, halved
 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
 1/4 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained
?1/4 red onion, sliced thinly
?1/4 cup bottled vinaigrette dressing

Cook noodles according to package directions, but do not add flavor packets.

If you are bored with your everyday burger and fries, try some of these local eateries that offer delicious ethnic foods.

Mexican

For the most authentic Mexican food on the Central Coast, take a drive up U.S. Highway 1 through Morro Bay and stop at the Chapala Market.