Back-to-school season means busy mornings, packed schedules and plenty of meals and snacks to keep up with. Mr. Natural in Austin has options to help fuel students and families from breakfast through after-school snacks and dinner.
Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott spoke with Jesus Mendoza of Mr. Natural about healthy school-day options, supplements, grab-and-go meals and an easy smoothie recipe families can make at home.
Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott spoke with Jesus Mendoza of Mr. Natural about healthy school-day options, supplements, grab-and-go meals and an easy smoothie recipe families can make at home.
Start the school day with brain-power food
Mendoza says eating well can be an important part of getting students ready for the school day. In addition to its food offerings, Mr. Natural has a health store with supplements and products for different ages.
Mr. Natural isn’t just a place to grab a healthy meal. Mendoza also highlighted the store’s health-food and supplement selection, with options for different ages and needs.
“We’ve got a little bit of everything that people are going to use,” Mendoza said, including options for brain health, attentiveness and vitamins for growing teenagers.
For younger kids, Mr. Natural also carries options such as vitamin gummies, while families can find plant-based protein powders that can easily be added to smoothies.
A quick chocolate banana smoothie
If busy mornings have you reaching for something quick, Mendoza showed us how to make a simple chocolate banana smoothie using almond milk, banana, ice and Mr. Natural’s chocolate plant-based protein powder.
If busy mornings have you reaching for something quick, Mendoza showed us how to make a simple chocolate banana smoothie using almond milk, banana, ice and Mr. Natural’s chocolate plant-based protein powder.
The protein powder is already sweetened, so there’s no need to add extra sugar.
Mendoza says it’s a smoothie he makes for his own son, making it an easy option for families trying to get everyone out the door in the morning.
Mendoza says it’s a smoothie he makes for his own son, making it an easy option for families trying to get everyone out the door in the morning.
And if you don’t have a blender, there’s another simple option.
“You get a scoop of that and some of that almond milk and you just shake it,” Mendoza said. “It thickens up.”
Don’t forget the granola
Mr. Natural also makes its own granola in-house, giving families another easy option for breakfast or a snack.
Mr. Natural also makes its own granola in-house, giving families another easy option for breakfast or a snack.
“We get families that have been buying this for months or years,” Mendoza said. “And they come back and they say that their kids grow with it.”
The granola can be an easy addition to breakfast or a snack when you’re looking for something convenient during a busy school day.
Grab-and-go lunch options
When lunchtime rolls around, Mr. Natural has plenty of options for families and students who need something quick.
The restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat salad bar, along with grab-and-go options including vegetable potato fritters and plant-based sandwiches.
The restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat salad bar, along with grab-and-go options including vegetable potato fritters and plant-based sandwiches.
Mendoza describes the sandwiches as a meat-free take on a classic club sandwich, making them an easy option when you’re in a hurry.
“We are kind of like a grocery store,” Mendoza said. “You go in there and you grab something really quick.”
Don’t forget the after-school snack
Of course, back-to-school food isn’t just about breakfast and lunch. Mr. Natural also has options for an after-school treat.
Whether it’s a snack after a long day of classes or a little reward for making it through the first day of school, families can find plenty of choices at the store.
Whether it’s a snack after a long day of classes or a little reward for making it through the first day of school, families can find plenty of choices at the store.
And if you’re looking for a way to show some appreciation to teachers, Mendoza says those treats can be a fun way to celebrate the educators helping students throughout the school year.
When lunchtime rolls around, Mr. Natural has plenty of options for families and students who need something quick.
Visit Mr. Natural for your back-to-school meals
From smoothies and granola in the morning to grab-and-go lunches and after-school snacks, Mr. Natural offers a variety of healthy, plant-based options to help families navigate busy school days.
You can visit Mr. Natural at 1901 E. Cesar Chavez St. in Austin or learn more at MrNaturalATX.com.
As the new school year gets underway, a little planning — and some good food — can go a long way toward keeping the whole family fueled.
So whether you’re packing lunches, planning an after-school snack or simply looking for your next Austin food stop, Mr. Natural is a local spot worth adding to the list.
You can visit Mr. Natural at 1901 E. Cesar Chavez St. in Austin or learn more at MrNaturalATX.com.