healthy eating
Bites 

Healthy Eating 

Carmen Fraga

With hidden ingredients ranging from too much salt and fat to MSG flavor enhancers, eating out is not always as healthy as eating at home, even if it tastes better. Fortunately, that’s not always the case. The local eateries that follow make healthy eating central to their mission. 

GreenLife Organic Bistro 

Healthy Eating

Tucked away at the eastern end of Giralda is a cozy little place called GreenLife Organic Bistro, a quick stop for breakfast or lunch with a healthy twist. Take notes New Year’s Resolutioners. Here you’ll find egg dishes, toasts, protein bowls, organic smoothies, salads, wraps, acai bowls, and oats. We went with the Almond Butter Bowl: acai topped with almond butter, bananas, almond slices and cacao nibs. You also can customize or make your own bowl from scratch. Order in and enjoy their seating on Giralda Plaza, or take it on the go. greenlifemia.com/home

FRSHst 

FRSHst by Del Monte Produce is another healthy alternative if you’re looking to stay loyal to your New Year’s diets. For lunch options, you can create your own sandwich, create your own bowl, try one of their soups of the day, or indulge in one of their uniquely delicious and colorful toasts. Ours was spread with feta cheese, topped with avocado slices and pomegranate seeds, and drizzled with honey. We washed it down with an Almond Banana Breakfast Smoothie made of banana, oats, almond milk, peanut butter, almonds, and dates. 

Seasons 52 

Healthy Eating

Not all the national chains ply you with calories gone wild. Seasons 52 on Miracle Mile will help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions, with nothing on their calorie-labeled menu surpassing 600 calories. We tried the delicious cedar plank-roasted salmon for 550 calories, and their wood-grilled trout for 470, both including green beans and marble potatoes. We couldn’t pass up their adorable (and tasty!) mini desserts that range from 190 to 220 calories. Minimal damage done, and you’ll be satisfied the rest of the day. www.seasons52.com

Carrot Express 

The name and carrot logo says it all, especially if you are a rabbit. Ready to nibble? Located on Miracle Mile, Carrot Express is a place where you can get tasty salads, power bowls, wraps, juices, smoothies, and a bunch of other stuff that’s good for you. Our favorites? The Mexican Salad and the Oriental Crunch Salad. All salads come sans protein, but you can add chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, tofu and more. A tad pricey for the simple fare, but clean and light. Order at the counter to eat in, or take it to go. eatcarrotexpress.com

Sweetgreen 

Healthy Eating

The year 2020 brought us our very own Sweetgreen on Giralda Plaza. People flock to this healthy fast food joint for their giant salads, but at least giant salads are still healthy, right? They have a standard year-round menu, and also a seasonally rotating menu during Fall and Spring. Everything is customizable, including your own salad you can create from scratch instead of ordering from the menu. We love the Pesto Chicken bowl, but customize it to hold the quinoa and hot sauce, and blacken the chicken instead of grilling it. order.sweetgreen.com

By: Carmen Fraga