Chow down without gaining the pounds

Chances are, full-time students have a little too much on their plates to think about what's actually on their plates come lunchtime. There are a lot of eateries to with healthy options to choose from at Cal State Long Beach.

El Pollo Loco

The Pollo Bowl

What's Inside: Pinto beans, rice, organic chopped chicken breasts, onion, cilantro and Pico de Gallo salsa with corn tortillas.

Taste: The corn tortillas are soft and warm, still steaming right out of the bag. When you mix it around, the moist deliciousness of the beans binds everything together nicely.

Cost: $4.69

Nutritional Stats for The Pollo Bowl:

Calories: 610

Calories from fat: 90

Fat: 10 g

Saturated Fat: 2 g

Trans Fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 70 mg

Sodium: 1,750 mg

Carbohydrates: 87 g

Fiber: 11 g

Sugar: 3 g Sodium:

Protein: 40 g

Skinless Chicken Breast Combo

What's inside: One skinless chicken breast, steamed veggies and a side salad with Italian dressing.

Taste: The chicken is very juicy and flavorful, even though it's skinless. The steamed veggies nicely round out the meal and the cilantro makes the salad stand out from typical side salads.

Cost: $6.19

Nutritional Stats for the Skinless Chicken Breast Combo:

Calories: 265

Calories from fat: 70

Fat: 8 g

Saturated Fat: 2 g

Trans Fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 110 mg

Sodium: 690 mg

Carbohydrates: 11 g

Fiber: 4 g

Sugar: 4 g

Protein: 39 g

Subway

The Veggie Delite Sub

What's Inside: A selection of vegetables and cheeses on whole wheat bread. Avocado can also be added to a six-inch for 60 cents and to a foot-long for $1.20.

Taste: This is surprisingly yummy and contains no meat. Carnivores trying to slim down, rejoice!

Cost: $3.50 for a six-inch and $5.00 for a foot long.

Nutritional Stats for The Veggie Delite (for a six inch):

Calories: 230

Total Fat: 2.5 g

Saturated Fat: 0.5 g

Trans Fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 410 mg

Carbohydrates: 45 g

Fiber: 5 g

Sugars: 5 g

Protein: 8 g

The Veggie Patty: 

What's inside: A soy veggie patty, a selection of veggies and cheeses on whole wheat bread. Avocado can be added to a six-inch for 60 cents and to a foot-long for $1.20.

Taste: The veggie patty gives it some nice substance and texture.

Cost: $4.00 for a six-inch and $6.00 for a foot long.

Nutritional Stats for The Veggie Patty (for a 6 inch):

Calories: 390

Total Fat: 7 g

Saturated Fat: 1 g

Trans Fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 10 mg

Sodium: 930 mg

Carbohydrates: 57 g

Fiber: 8 g

Sugars: 7 g

Protein: 23 g

The Nugget Grill & Pub and The Outpost Grill

The Skinny Burrito

What's inside: A flour tortilla, cheese, egg whites and tomato.

Taste: Scrumptious. This is a perfect breakfast burrito without the food baby that usually follows.

Cost: $3.50

Nutritional Stats for The Skinny Burrito:

Calories: 738

Protein: 37.3 g

Fat: 36.2 g

Carbohydrates: 64.5 g

Cholesterol: 391 mg

Calcium: 464 mg

Sodium: 1,192 mg

Iron: 7.39 mg

Tuscany Pepper Melt

What's inside: A whole-wheat wrap, mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, mushrooms and spinach.

Taste: Warm and gooey. The mushrooms make this a very filling meatless option.

Cost: $4.49

Nutritional Stats for Tuscany Pepper Melt:

Calories: 457

Protein: 22.3 g

Fat: 26 g

Carbohydrates: 36.2 g

Cholesterol: 60 mg

Calcium: 488 mg

Sodium: 612 mg

Iron: 4.26 mg

Beach Walk Café

Greek Salad

What's inside: lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and feta with Italian dressing.

Taste: Light and refreshing. The flavors are very well-balanced and simply delicious.

Cost: $5.49

Nutritional Stats for Greek Salad:

Calories: 180

Calories from fat: 100

Total Fat: 10 g

Saturated Fat: 5 g

Trans Fat: 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 3.5 g

Cholesterol: 25 mg

Sodium: 1,380 mg

Potassium: 350 mg

Carbohydrates: 15 g

Fiber: 5 g

Sugar: 8 g

Protein: 6 g