While over one-third of restaurants offer Italian food on their menus. However, because pasta and pizza contain so many carbs, many people don’t consider the food to be the most healthy. That is a misnomer, though, and it is possible to discover local healthy food restaurants of every style and ilk. So, how can you find healthy dining options in your area and understand what truly matters in such a restaurant to get the nutrition you need?
Below, we offer a local restaurant guide that explores six essential tips beyond searching on Google for “nutritious meals near me.” Discover how to enjoy good-tasting, healthy meals without compromising on quality. Discover how to:
- Evaluate menus
- Learn about the food source
- Determine if a location is eco-friendly
- Make more informed food decisions
- Identify genuinely healthy foods
Start enjoying the best healthy eateries on offer today.
1. Choose Restaurants Using Fresh And Local Ingredients
Look in the menu for locations around you to see if they highlight that they use fresh, regional produce. Many locations will promote partnerships with local farms or other locations to ensure customers understand how much they care for the local region.
If possible, engage the staff directly and ask about their ingredient sourcing. However, be aware that they may not know enough about their food. It might be better to go up the chain for this information.
If you notice locations that rely on pre-packaged or frozen ingredients, this suggests that the food is less fresh; thus, it is more likely to have preservatives or otherwise not offer as many nutrients due to breakdown over time. Also, be realistic. If a location is in the middle of a landlocked country, you may need to forgive their freezing of fish as it is simply harder to source.
2. Check Menus For Healthy And Transparent Options
Some of the best restaurants display nutritional information on their menus to empower diners to make more informed diet choices. In general, a menu with labeled dietary options promotes transparency and customer care, so look for such assistance when assessing a location.
If you want the best out of an Italian restaurant, that is no surprise, as it remained America’s favorite food for several years. However, including pizza bases and pasta meals can cause the calorie count of several dishes to creep up. So, if you are investigating restaurant options such as these, instead, look for other information that may help you with deciding on the best lunch location, such as:
- Gluten-free options
- Vegan or vegetarian option
- Allergen lists
- Milk substitutes
You can even check to see whether the location offers alternate cooking options. While nobody expects to steam a lasagne, such restaurants will likely offer many other local dishes, such as fish or vegetable options, to compensate.
3. Ensure Commitments To Eco-Friendly Practices
While not directly related to health, eco-friendly practices can reflect a restaurant’s broader commitment to its customers’ health and sustainability. So, talk to the location about whether they use:
- Seafood certified by MSC or other organizations
- Biodegradable packaging
- Composting or food waste collection
- Methods to reduce food waste
- Partnerships with local producers for a lower carbon footprint
Locations that do all the above should also be more than simply words. Ensure the location puts its words into action and actively audits itself to show that it is serious about its targets.
4. Verify Ingredient Quality And Sourcing
According to IBISWorld, America’s “healthy food index” is only 61.9%. Sadly, obtaining the high-quality ingredients needed for a health-conscious lifestyle and achieving that final 38.1% requires an active effort.
So, to ensure you receive the best quality food, ask restaurants if they use non-GMO and organic certifications to get assurances of clean and safe ingredients. As mentioned above, we suggest you ask if they partner with local farmers. In this case, that is still valid, as it suggests fresher ingredients that are likely to retain more nutrients instead of preservatives.
Watch out for words like “premium” or “natural” when checking the menu. These are buzzwords that have very little real meaning. Instead, ask about specific quantitative statistics, such as the amount of vitamins or minerals a meal contains.
You may also want to ask where the location sources its meat. Having hormone-free or antibiotic-free meat means you don’t need to worry about the presence of such ingredients in your life, and you can eat stress-free.
5. Look For Flexibility In Dietary Accommodations
Many restaurants these days offer flexibility in their ingredients to prioritize the needs of their customers. These may include things like menus that are:
- Gluten-free
- Low-carb
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Dairy-free
Also, ask the staff if they eat there and, if so, what their choices are when they buy healthy food from the location. They may be able to recommend specific substitutions that keep you healthy despite the meal usually not matching your diet.
6. Read Reviews and Ask People Online
Online reviews can offer firsthand information about the quality of food and service at a location. If a location states that it provides flexible options, for example, an honest review will help you understand precisely what it means when someone asks for a dish.
You may also want to look into:
- Asking others on social media
- Reading food blogger posts
- Checking health forums
- Asking your peers for advice
These will all offer clear information on the location’s characteristics and help you determine whether the food is what you need and want. You may even find some special advice or tips to help give you the best experience possible.
Making Smart Choices for Local Healthy Food Restaurants
Choosing the right local healthy food restaurants can often transform your dining experience from a standard affair into an event that offers far more than ever before. So, focus on these restaurant selection tips to find locations that prioritize fresh and local ingredients and can cater to your and your friends’ dietary needs.
Rons Original Bar & Grille is one such location. We pledge to offer options so that people can enjoy their evenings without the stress of food worries. Contact us to make a booking and learn more about what our menu offers.