By Eryn Carlson, News Correspondent

Students who want to eat healthier – whether it’s because they want to lose weight, be more environmentally friendly or are just sick of dining hall food – have plenty of options to choose from right around campus. Boston is home to a plethora of restaurants that market healthy meals. And that doesn’t have to mean boring salads and bland dishes – there’s everything from fast food to diner-style meals offered at nearby hotspots. Here are some of our favorite local spots where delicious meets nutritious:

Veggie Galaxy
450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge

Veggie Galaxy is the perfect place for any health nut who loves diner food but hates the grease and calorie counts that come along with it. This Cambridge restaurant features a classic diner experience with a vegan twist. The menu contains a vast amount of healthy vegetarian and vegan options, many of which are made from scratch. Meat-lovers shouldn’t be scared away by the veggie label – the expansive, varied menu with “fake” meats provides tasty options for everyone. There’s a great bakery for sweet lovers, too.

UFood Grill 
530 Washington St.

At UFood Grill, the menu is filled with better-for-you food, fast. And that doesn’t mean veggie burgers and on-the-go salads (though they have those, too). UFood offers healthy comfort food, such as sirloin tips, chili and paninis and uses natural, organic ingredients – including grass-fed meats – whenever possible, as well as whole grains and light cheeses and dressings. The menu offers a wide variety of options, including vegetarian, gluten-free, reduced sodium and fat and low calorie and low carb. With multiple Boston locations, UFood makes eating healthy fast and cheap.

Henrietta’s Table
1 Bennett St., Cambridge

As a fancier venue that offers healthy and award-winning dishes, Henrietta’s Table is the perfect option. This restaurant, in Cambridge’s Charles Hotel, focuses on foods that are farm fresh and sustainable. Many of the menu’s items – wines included – are organically grown produce from local and regional vendors and free range meats. This is a great spot for brunch with the parents or a date, where you eat healthy, are environmentally conscious, support local vendors and enjoy a mouth-watering meal all in one.

Life Alive Organic Café
765 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge

To say Life Alive is a health food restaurant is an understatement. Its website claims Life Alive is “a world of delicious, organic and therapeutic food, created with love to feed your vitality” with a relaxing, sensual environment and soulful service. The menu is comprised of mainly raw, vegetarian and vegan foods that are colorful and paired with appetizing sauces and sides, and an expansive list of juices and smoothies, as well. The café offers take-out and all meals are served quick. Life Alive is probably not the best place to start for someone who lives off of McDonald’s burgers and pizza, but for someone who is a health-nut, or merely adventurous, this Cambridge hotspot is a must-try. Try the wheatgrass drink – made-up of over two pounds of greens – for a serious cleanse.

Grasshopper Restaurant
1 North Beacon St., Allston

Even for the non-vegans among society, Grasshoppers huge, pan-Asian menu will appeal to you, and it’s a great healthy alternative to ordering Chinese take-out. There is a wide variety of dishes and portions are generous, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to feed a few or want leftovers.

Though you can dine-in at the Allston location, you can get all the dishes delivered for a late night study session – or morning hangover cure.