These Healthy Restaurants Will Fuel Your Body, Mind, and Soul
Because when you eat better, you feel better!
Look, everyone likes a sugary treat occasionally–okay, maybe more than just occasionally–and we’ve all overindulged in the presence of a perfectly-sliced cheesecake or Pinterest-worthy scoop of ice cream. But as warm weather (and bathing suit!) season approaches, you may be thinking of getting back into shape. If you’re not only trying to look better but to feel better, then ditch the double chocolate-chip cookie and fudge-covered ice cream for one of the healthier-yet-delectable treats offered at these five healthy restaurants!
Local Leaf
440 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016
Get ready, because there’s a ton to say about Local Leaf! Sustainability is the backbone of Local Leaf, and it strives to provide healthy food options by connecting with local farmers and growers. Local Leaf’s menu, which embraces all things leafy, green, and gluten-free, is prepared with convenience in mind–it serves snack-like food you can eat as easily as street meat, without the potential health risks. You can eat lettuce on the go with their signature and customizable lettuce wraps, which is their spin on the PF Chang’s staple, or customize your own salad or quinoa/rice bowl. The signature “Murray Hill”, a gluten-free grain blend of roasted chicken, edamame hummus, avocado, and parsley pesto, is the ideal dish for the protein-lover craving that energy boost. Local Leaf’s signature Hydration Bar serves acai bowls, smoothies, taps, and teas, including the millennial-favorite Cold Brew Smoothie, made with coffee, cacao, and banana. As NYC Unplugged said of Local Leaf’s very own lettuce wraps, “they are able to provide all the joys of a burrito sans the calories.” And what’s better than an endless supply of burritos to practically inhale?
Activate your HungerPass for a 15% off discount every day of the week at Local Leaf!
Fuel Your Body Cafe
196 W Old Country Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801
This Hicksville-based cafe knows the meaning of the word “options!” With three separate menus for vegan, gluten-free, or unrestricted diners, even the most health food averse guest can find a healthy and delicious meal at Fuel Your Body Cafe. You can order pretty much anything at this cafe, from the freshly-made Protein Waffle and fruity Acai Bowl to the hearty Energy Chicken Ceasar Wrap. If you want a sweeter alternative to the classic Acai Bowl, try the Pitaya Bowl, a tropical, dragonfruit-based bowl that is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.
Fuel Your Body Cafe also partners with up-and-coming health food brands such as Shakeology and Only 8 frozen yogurt. Described as “a premium superfood shake containing…super-proteins, super-fruits, super-greens, antioxidants…and digestive enzymes,” Shakeology shakes will make you feel like the superhero you are! A spoonful of Only 8 frozen yogurt is the guilty pleasure dessert you crave, just without the guilt; “America’s healthiest frozen yogurt” prides itself on containing all-natural ingredients as well as zero fat or cholesterol. Who doesn’t love a cafe that provides all the desserts without the risk of packing on the pounds!
Activate your HungerPass for 10% off every day of the week!
Loving Hut
76 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Pick any country in the world, and chances are it’s home to a Loving Hut! With at least one location in over 35 countries, Loving Hut is one of the largest international vegan restaurant chains in the world. Loving Hut’s mission (as inspired by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s philosophy of compassion for all living things) is to serve 100% plant-based meals with compassion, sustainability, and happiness at the core of every dish–basically, it’s every vegan or vegetarian’s dream.
The Loving Hut location in Williamsburg has a menu that varies depending on which location you choose to visit, so get ready to enjoy a unique and Asian-inspired meal such as the spicy Sizzling Soy, which is a dish of specially marinated soy protein and fresh vegetables with teriyaki sauce and the Cheerful Curry, a lovely dish made with soy protein or tofu, mixed veggies in spicy green curry gravy, and served with multigrain or white rice. Other menu items, such as the hand-made veggie Happy Dumplings and whole-wheat Loving Hut Sandwich, will have you grinning from ear to ear. Yes, Loving Hut also serves a variety of vegan and gluten-free desserts, including their Cake of the Day and scrumptious vegan donuts! Clearly, whether you’re a veteran vegan or vegetarian, a newbie, or just someone wanting veggies instead of meat for a meal, Loving Hut will make you feel right at home.
Activate your HungerPass for 10% off every day of the week!
NYC Health Bar
1319 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021
At NYC Health Bar, prepare to be healed from the inside out. There’s a smoothie or juice for every mood or ailment at this bar, such as the Immune Healthy juice which is the powerful combo of fresh orange juice, carrots, and ginger, and the Magnificent Purple juice, which is a drink made from carrot, apple, kale, beet, spinach, lemon, and ginger. At its Healing Pharmacy, NYC Health Bar also provides the Cold Defender, made from the healing echinacea plant. which can stop a dreaded cold dead in its tracks. NYC Health Bar also has what Dailyburn.com considers one of the most beneficial health shots (or invigorating boosts of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals) to your morning smoothie, the Ginger Boost. Made with apple cider vinegar, ginger, and lemon, the Ginger Boost “helps clear your airways and [soothe] a sore throat.” With its organic Acai Bowls and Pitaya Bowls, the menu at NYC Health Bar is sure to invigorate and inspire any health nut!
Activate your HungerPass app for up to 20% off Monday through Thursday and on weekends!
Cooldown Juice
4819 Skillman Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104
Searching for a health-conscious way to lose weight? Visit Queens-based Cooldown Juice, home of the Cool-Down Cleanse. Begin your detox journey by checking out Cooldown’s blog, Juice Flow, which aims to educate on a number of topics including the safety of juice cleanses, the origins of certain superfoods, and the stories of those who have tried a juice cleanse ad triumphed in their weight-loss journeys, and other up-and-coming weight loss strategies.
Of course, Cooldown Juice is all about the, well… juice! The “Freshman Cleanse” selection of juices are for detox newbies, while the “Wellness Cleanse” is for the practiced detoxer who wants to kick their juice regimen up a notch with a raw-liquid diet. For the seasoned detoxer there is the “Complete Master Cleanse,” which offers “a vegetable-based detox with minimal caloric intake.” If you’re just looking for a healthy taste, try some of Cooldown Juice’s Cold-Pressed Juices, like the fruity Rise and Shine made with green apple, pineapple, wheatgrass, and mint. You can also enjoy their Bliss signature drink which is a heavenly blend of coconut water, apple, and strawberry for a tropical cool-down after your morning work-out, or even their caffeinated Chai Matcha Coco, a matcha-based drink that is sure to kick your day into high gear.
Activate your HungerPass for 10%-15% off on select days during the week!
Written by Emma Patterson
