By Prerna Gupta
There is no shortage of San Francisco restaurants touting vegan, organic, gluten-free, and local fare. Kale, quinoa, and kombucha — huzzah!
While these buzzwords are supposed to connote health, most of the items on the menu at any upscale eatery, whether organic or not, are loaded with sugar, fried oil, and refined carbs, and will leave you feeling kind of wonky inside.
So where can a conscientious eater find a truly healthy meal around town?
Here are some of my favorite places to eat well in San Francisco, along with some common pitfalls to avoid while navigating a menu full of temptations:
What to Resist: The smoothies are undoubtedly delicious here, but it’s easy to forget that a glassful of blended fruit is packed with more liquefied carbs than you probably ought to consume in one day.
What to Enjoy: Next time you’re here, split a smoothie with a friend, and fill up instead on the hearty grains and healthy vegetables of the Quinoa Bowl. Ask for the ginger miso sauce on the side.
The Vibe: The Plant has three locations in and around San Francisco, but on a sunny day, you can’t beat the outdoor seating at the Embarcadero location. It’s a great place to go to treat out-of-town visitors.
What to Resist: The pies! Oh, the pies. Consider this an exercise in mindfulness. Can you walk out without scarfing down an entire slice? Pies are better when shared with friends!
What to Enjoy: If you can manage to avoid the array of temptations in this baked-goods heaven, the menu here typically also features some variation on their hearty vegan stew with seasonal ingredients. It’s delicious, nutritious, and satisfying.
The Vibe: This is a small, charming café with a casual, no-frills air. It’s a nice place to warm up on a chilly day.
What to Resist: You’ll find lots of sweet home-style goodies to tempt you here that are baked fresh daily! Depending on how good you’ve been that day, they may just be worth a splurge.
What to Enjoy: Redeem yourself with a salad! Jane’s menu features a wide range of spectacular salads, such as the colorful Rainbow Salad, which comes with a generous dollop of homemade hummus. Add a hard-boiled egg for extra protein. There are also sandwiches on fresh multi-grain bread (eat it open-face if you’re stressed about the carbs) and a daily vegan soup!
The Vibe: The atmosphere here is hipster but unpretentious and friendly.
What to Resist: This beautiful café partners with local artisan bakeries and restaurants and serves many delicious sweets, including rich donuts and cakes from Dynamo Donuts. Beware!
What to Enjoy: But they also serve a delicious whole-grain salad from their “short eats” menu, prepared by the nearby 1601 Bar & Kitchen. Inspired by Sri Lankan cuisine, this salad is made with toasted barley and tender French lentils. It’s the perfect healthy snack in a pinch.
The Vibe: The 111 Minna location is part of a museum and features high ceilings and great art. It’s a good spot to work, and they serve great coffee too.
What to Resist: If health is your goal, it’s hard to beat the selection of ready-to-eat food items at your local Whole Foods. But variety can be a curse. Don’t let yourself be led astray by the cornucopia of baked delights on your way to the prepared-foods section. A gluten-free, vegan chocolate chip cookie is still … a cookie. Stay the course!
What to Enjoy: You’ll find a healthy option to satisfy almost any palate and dietary restriction, including do-it-yourself salads, hearty soups, and black-bean burritos with brown rice on whole-wheat tortillas.
The Vibe: It’s a grocery store, so it’s not exactly a spot for a first date, but it has a welcoming atmosphere for the days when you find yourself dining alone! The in-store dining areas vary by location, but they’re generally quite comfortable and well maintained.
