At Texas A&M, a student’s day can shift quickly from a morning lecture to an afternoon lab, a group project at the library, dinner with friends and a late walk home after studying. When your schedule changes by the hour, healthy routines need to be simple, flexible and close by. That is where your living environment can make a real difference.
At The Jay, we want to support our residents’ goals for health and wellness. That’s why we are pursuing a Fitwel certification to make sure we are providing everything our residents might need to meet their health and fitness goals.
Fitwel looks at how buildings and communities can support health and well-being through design, amenities and access to everyday wellness resources.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Meal Plans at Texas A&M
What is Fitwel Certification?
Fitwel is a certification focused on enhancing health and well-being in buildings and communities.
According to the Fitwell website:
“Fitwel is the world’s leading certification system committed to building health for all®. Generated by expert analysis of 7,000+ academic research studies, Fitwel is implementing a vision for a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and well-being.”
One of the pillars of a Fitwel-certified property is easy access to healthy food options. To meet Fitwel criteria, the building must be within a half-mile walking distance of at least two off-site locations that provide food and drink that meet a lengthy list of health and wellness requirements.
These requirements range from daily fresh fruit and vegetables to meat- and plant-based proteins and no-sugar added desserts. For the full list of requirements, see the bottom of the page.
Why Does Healthy Food Access Matter for Texas A&M Students?
Healthy food access matters because students are more likely to make balanced choices when those choices are nearby, flexible and realistic for their schedule.
Eating clean and opting for healthier dietary choices has a multitude of benefits. The American Heart Association stresses this:
“Eating healthy is a key way for individuals to take control of their health. Unfortunately, too many people consume too many foods high in saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium, and they eat too few fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, placing them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Understanding what we feed our families and how we cook our meals is the first step to preventing and treating health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.”
That is why location plays such an important role in student wellness. A healthier living environment is not only about what is inside your apartment community. It’s also about what’s around you.
Texas A&M students also have access to Aggie Dining resources across campus. Texas A&M notes that Aggie Dining includes meal plans and a wide range of dining locations, including dining halls, national retail restaurants, food trucks and self-checkout stores. Meal swipes are used at Texas A&M’s three all-you-care-to-eat dining halls: Sbisa, The Commons and Duncan.
When you combine those campus resources with Fitwel-approved College Station restaurants, students have more ways to choose meals that fit their schedule, budget, preferences and wellness goals.
Where Can Aggies Find Healthy Food Near Texas A&M?
If your goal is to make healthy choices during the school year, there are plenty of restaurants offering clean ingredients and healthy food options all within walking distance of The Jay.
The below restaurants, among the healthy options, are two that fully meet Fitwel’s criteria for healthy food and beverage selections (see bottom of page):
1. Salata
Location: 1907 Texas Ave S
Distance from The Jay: 16-minute walk
Best for: Custom salads, wraps, vegetables, protein options and build-your-own meals
Salata gives students a straightforward way to build a meal around greens, vegetables, proteins and dressings. This can be a helpful choice when you want more control over what goes into your meal. You can keep it simple with greens and vegetables, add protein to make it more filling or turn your salad into a wrap when you need something easier to eat on the go. For dessert, grab a side of their fresh fruit!
Why Aggies may like it: Salata is practical for students who want a meal that feels fresh, customizable and easy to adjust based on appetite, schedule or dietary preferences.
5. Clean Eatz
Location: 1800 Texas Avenue
Distance from The Jay:
Best for: Meal prep, protein-focused meals, balanced bowls, healthy lunches and grab-and-go options
Clean Eatz is a restaurant and meal-prep concept that focuses on making balanced eating more convenient. Its menu includes wraps, bowls, flatbreads, smoothies and prepared meals that students can take home for later in the week. Many options are built around lean proteins, vegetables and whole grains, making it easier to find meals that fit a variety of nutrition goals.
For Texas A&M students, Clean Eatz can be especially helpful during busy weeks when cooking is not realistic but fast food is not your first choice. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch, a post-workout meal or prepared meals to keep in your apartment, it offers convenient options that can help support a more consistent routine.
Why Aggies may like it: Clean Eatz combines convenience and variety, making it easier to keep nutritious meals on hand during demanding weeks filled with classes, studying, student organizations and Aggie traditions.
We hope this article helps you better understand how living at The Jay can help you prioritize your overall health and wellness. For more information on living at The Jay, check out our website and feel free to contact our leasing team if you have any questions!
Full Fitwel criteria:
- 3+ non-fried veggie options daily
- Variety of non-fried proteins daily (75%+ non-fried)
- Plant proteins 3x/week
- If meat’s served, seafood 2x/week
- If dessert’s offered, a no-added-sugar fruit option daily
Audrey
Audrey is a Property Marketing Intern for The Jay. She's a senior at Texas A&M University, majoring in Communications. Her favorite drink to order is an iced matcha latte with lavender syrup!
Published On: June 11, 2026
Last Updated On: June 25, 2026