Health-Conscious Eating: How Restaurants are Catering to Wellness Trends
As more and more people become aware of the importance of a healthy diet, restaurants have begun to adapt to these wellness trends. Whether it’s offering more plant-based options or highlighting locally sourced ingredients, restaurants are making it easier for people to eat healthily even when dining out.
Plant-Based Options
One of the biggest trends in health-conscious eating is the rise of plant-based diets. Restaurants are now offering more veggie-based entrees and sides, such as vegetable bowls, salads, and even vegetarian burgers and sandwiches. Some restaurants have even eliminated meat from their menus entirely, catering to the growing number of vegetarians and vegan diners.
Goop Kitchen, Santa Monica
Goop Kitchen in Santa Monica is one restaurant that has embraced the plant-based trend. Their menu focuses on locally sourced, organic ingredients and features dishes like the “Beyond Burger,” a vegetarian burger made with a plant-based patty, or the “Superfood Caesar,” a salad made with kale, quinoa, and avocado.
Locally Sourced Ingredients
Another trend in health-conscious eating is the focus on locally sourced ingredients. Restaurants are working with local farmers and producers to bring fresh, seasonal ingredients to their menus. By using local ingredients, restaurants not only support the local economy but also ensure that their dishes are as fresh and nutritious as possible.
Blue Hill, New York City
One restaurant that is leading the way in local sourcing is Blue Hill in New York City. The restaurant’s menu features dishes made with ingredients from their own farm, as well as other local farms in the region. By sourcing their ingredients locally, Blue Hill ensures that their dishes are not only delicious but also as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.
Healthy Cooking Techniques
In addition to focusing on healthy ingredients, restaurants are also using healthier cooking techniques. Grilled, steamed, or roasted dishes are replacing fried and breaded entrees on menus. By using lighter cooking methods, restaurants are able to maintain the nutritional value of their dishes.
True Food Kitchen, Boston
True Food Kitchen in Boston is one restaurant that is known for their healthy cooking techniques. Their menu emphasizes fresh, whole foods and features dishes like the “Ancient Grains Bowl,” a dish made with quinoa, sweet potato, and avocado, or the “Grass-Fed Burger,” a burger made with grass-fed beef and served on a whole wheat bun.
Health-conscious eating doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or dining out. Restaurants are now catering to wellness trends by offering more plant-based options, using locally sourced ingredients, and using healthier cooking techniques. So the next time you’re dining out, look for these healthier options and enjoy a delicious meal without any guilt.
