Sophia Eckler had about six hours worth of classes on a Friday afternoon at Providence College.
The 20-year-old’s schedule offered a brief respite to grab a salad at home. But Eckler was too drained to prepare a healthy meal following her afternoon session. Ordering a pizza or stopping by a local pub for some comfort food were not viable options for the lifelong swimmer and health policy major.
Instead, Eckler made a stop at Cava in nearby Smithfield for some Mediterranean fare.
Cava is a popular option for on-the-go eaters who wish to eat quickly without eating typical fastfood fare, according to Joseph DeFusco, of Johnston, a connoisseur of healthy food and supplements who works sales at Ocean State Nutrition.
Eckler paid $12.75 to choose a mixture of rice, chicken, hummus, cucumber, tomato, olives, corn and feta. Cava provided a welcome break from her own healthy cooking.
For some others, options like Cava and Chipotle or East Side Pockets can also fit into a disciplined meal plan, offering occasional and healthy departures for eaters who are frequently too busy for lots of supermarket shopping and time in the kitchen, said DeFusco.
