Editor's note: Since the publication of this article, My Fit Foods has closed all stores nationwide.
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A new year means a new you — but maybe the usual chaos of day-to-day life has gotten in the way of your health goals. To help you out, we've curated a list of the best on-the-go meal options in Austin that are both convenient and healthy.
Snap Kitchen
Snap Kitchen's entire business model is based on prepackaged meals ready to "heat and eat." The homegrown company offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in addition to snacks, desserts, and cold-pressed juices. There are plenty of tasty options for people with dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian dishes.
Daily Juice Cafe
While Daily Juice is known for its titular juice drinks, the local chain also has a lineup of grab-and-go meals at all of its Austin locations. The menu is large: Salads, soups, wraps, entrees, and desserts are all options. For people who have been flirting with veganism, Daily Juice has food plans to assist with giving up meat.
Picnik
Touted as Austin's first Paleo restaurant, this little food trailer stays true to the mantra with all gluten-free options. You don't have to subscribe to the Paleo diet to enjoy the food at Picnik. Splurge on a healthy, meaty lunch (or breakfast taco) and keep an eye out for the rotating seasonal menu offerings. This little shop also serves up baked goods and butter coffee, so you can feel a little better about indulging that sweet tooth.
The Soup Peddler
If you haven't guessed already, soup is the name of the game at The Soup Peddler. An array of fresh soup rotates daily, ranging from classics like tomato basil to the more adventurous Indian-inspired mulligatawny. Top off your liquid lunch with one of the nutritious juices and smoothies Soup Peddler also offers.
Zen Japanese Food Fast
Zen is known for "Japanese food fast," but you can get a meal even faster by visiting its deli case. There you'll find scrumptious sushi rolls and light snacks like edamame, kale salad, pot stickers, and more that are just waiting to be snatched up.
The Green Cart
The Green Cart focuses on freshly made wraps and sandwiches with a few healthy snacks on the side. What started as an actual food cart has evolved into a full-fledged wholesale production. The Green Cart does not have its own retail location, but its prepared foods are available at several Austin grocery stores and coffee shops, including Fresh Plus, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Caffe Medici, Bennu, Epoch, and many more.
Wheatsville Food Co-op
The deli is definitely Wheastville's crown jewel, but you may not have time to wait for a handmade sandwich. This is where the hot bar comes in. Here you can scoop up some warm entrees and soups of both the carnivorous and vegetarian variety. There are also several grab-and-go options in the refrigerated area by the deli, including premade sandwiches, wraps, salads, pastas, curries, pizzas, and sushi.
Whole Foods Market
The famous Austin-based grocery store has a wide variety of grab-and-go options. Both the cold and hot bars are amazing: Simply pick a container size and scoop in your dishes of choice. Whole Foods also offers sushi, salads, sandwiches, and other prepackaged edible goodness in a refrigerated section nearby.
Royal Blue Grocery
This downtown Austin chain is more than just a boutique corner store — it's also a sweet little eatery. If you're short on time, you can snag one of Royal Blue's many delectable to-go entrees. The deli also serves delicious hot sandwiches and rotating soups if you have the extra minute or two to spare.
Central Market
This healthier H-E-B offshoot has a little bit of everything: Sandwiches, soup, salads, and heartier ready-to-heat options are all waiting for you by the front door. If you're looking for dinner, the Dinner for Two meal packs are ready-made — all you have to do is warm up your entree and sides when you get home.
Beetnik Foods
Beetnik offers frozen meals with all organic ingredients. These easy meals are great for a filling lunch or quick dinner; options include meat- and grain-heavy pastas, rice bowls, stews, and chilies. You can find Beetnik in several Austin-area stores or have meals directly shipped to your home.
Gourmet by Numbers
This Austin-based subscription service delivers meal kits, each of which comes with a simple recipe and all the ingredients necessary to make a gourmet meal in under 30 minutes. Gourmet by Numbers is wonderful for those busy weekday nights and ensures a healthy, home-cooked dinner without the stress of shopping or meal planning.
My Fit Foods(closed)
This Austin-based chain is another company that specializes in prepackaged meals, with an emphasis on foods that are "fit" and filling. No matter the time of day, My Fit Foods has you covered — everything from breakfast to dessert is available. If you need help with your fresh start, My Fit Foods also offers meal planning assistance.
Paleo food truck Picnik serves gluten-free meals, coffees, and pastries.
