At the University of Michigan, a student’s day can shift quickly from a morning lecture on Central Campus to an afternoon lab, a group project at the library, dinner with friends on South U 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 Rambler, 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:
- What is Fitwel certification?
- Why does healthy food access matter for U-M students?
- Where can you find healthy food near U-M?
Read Next: Ultimate Guide to UMich Meal Plans
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 U-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.
Michigan Dining offers students a wide range of campus resources, including dining halls, cafés, menus, nutrition information and allergy and special diet support. Michigan Dining also provides MyNutrition, an online tool for reviewing allergens and nutritional values for foods served in dining halls, cafés and catered events.
When you combine those campus resources with Fitwel-approved Ann Arbor restaurants, students have more ways to choose meals that fit their schedule, budget, preferences and wellness goals.
Where Can I Find Healthy Food Near the University of Michigan?
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 Rambler.
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. Panera Bread
Location: 777 N University Ave
Distance from Rambler: 2-minute walk (500 feet)
Best for: Salads, bowls, grains and customizable meals
Panera’s Ann Arbor location brings salads and bowls to State Street, just steps away from Rambler.
This can be a strong option when you want something quick, fresh and easy to customize. You can build a meal around greens, grains, roasted vegetables, chicken, shrimp and other toppings depending on your preferences.
Why U-M students may like it: Panera works well for lunch between classes, takeout before a study session or a customizable dinner when you want control over what goes into your meal. The “You Pick Two” format also lets you pair a half salad or bowl with a soup, and a fresh fruit cup makes an easy no-added-sugar dessert.
2. Sava’s
Location: 216 S State St.
Distance from Rambler: 3-minute walk (600 feet)
Best for: Sit-down meals, salads, Mediterranean bowls, seafood and varied proteins
Sava’s is located on South State Street and offers a broad American-Mediterranean menu of salads, bowls, entrées, sandwiches and shareable plates. For students, this can be a strong option when you want a fuller meal, a healthy lunch between classes or a dinner with more variety than a quick-service spot. Menu items often center around fresh greens, roasted vegetables, grains, and a wide range of proteins (including grilled chicken, steak, salmon, mahi-mahi, shrimp, falafel, tempeh and chickpeas) making it a flexible choice whether you want something light or more filling. Check out their fruit cup side as a healthy dessert option!
Why U-M students may like it: Sava’s is right in the heart of State Street near central campus and can be a reliable option when you want a fresh, customizable meal with real protein variety, vegetarian and plant-based choices, and seafood. The spot is a relaxed place to sit down, if interested.
We hope this article helps you better understand how living at Rambler can help you prioritize your overall health and wellness. For more information on living at Rambler, 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
Alexis
Alexis is a Property Marketing Intern for Rambler Ann Arbor. She's a sophomore at the University of Michigan, majoring in Communication and Media Studies. Her favorite drink to order is a Blueberry Dream matcha!
Published On: June 12, 2026
Last Updated On: August 12, 2026
