In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be challenging, especially when balancing work, errands, and family responsibilities. Fortunately, the Inland Empire, including cities like Rancho Cucamonga and surrounding areas, offers a diverse and growing selection of restaurants and markets committed to providing nutritious and delicious meals. Whether you're seeking gluten-free options, vegan delights, or simply wholesome dishes made with fresh ingredients, there's something for everyone. This article explores a variety of healthy food choices available in downtown areas and beyond, highlighting specific restaurants and culinary styles that cater to health-conscious individuals.
Gluten-Free Mediterranean Cuisine at Luna Grill
For those seeking gluten-free options, Luna Grill in Redlands stands out with its extensive selection of Mediterranean cuisine. While not a dedicated gluten-free facility, Luna Grill takes pride in accommodating special requests and offers a variety of gluten-free ingredients. Their online menu features a lifestyle filter, making it easy to identify delicious meal options that meet your dietary needs.
One standout gluten-free dish is the seasonal seafood plate, featuring flame-grilled lemon & herb shrimp served with Basmati rice, tzatziki, and a choice of side. Another popular choice is the modern Greek salad, a refreshing mix of lettuce, feta cheese, Greek olives, pepperoncini, diced tomato, cucumber, housemade pickled onions, and crispy chickpeas, all drizzled with house vinaigrette.
Rancho Cucamonga's Healthy Dining Scene
Rancho Cucamonga boasts a vibrant restaurant scene with several establishments dedicated to healthy eating.
Mezza-Terranean: This restaurant proves that healthy eating doesn't have to be boring. Their authentic Mediterranean fare includes options like Lebanese Caprese and falafel salad, followed by chicken shawarma or salmon plates.
Read also: Nutritious Eats in LA
Citrus Kitchen: For simple, convenient, and healthy options that won't break the bank, Citrus Kitchen is an excellent choice. You can customize your meal by choosing your protein, sides, and sauce.
Chop Stop: If you think dieting means boring salads, think again. The Chop Stop specializes in hearty chopped salads with a variety of ingredients.
Bright Star: Thai food lovers, especially vegans, will appreciate Bright Star. They offer easy substitutions to make almost everything on their menu vegan.
The Poke Place: For fresh and healthy cuisine that's quick and customizable, poke is a great option.
A Guide to Healthy Restaurants in Orange County
Orange County also offers a wealth of healthy dining options, with restaurants that focus on high-quality ingredients and cater to various dietary needs.
Read also: Denver's Best Healthy Restaurants
Flower Child (Newport Beach): This restaurant offers a wide array of healthy options, including bowls, salads, and customizable plates with proteins and sides. They clearly label dietary-friendly options such as vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, and organic. Their menu features items like the strawberry fields salad with tofu, Vietnamese crunch salad, and glow bowl (sweet potato noodles). Don't miss their gluten-free desserts, all made from scratch with fresh, local ingredients.
Urban Plates (Aliso Viejo): Urban Plates offers a variety of healthy options, including salmon, chicken, tofu, salads, and vegetables. Customers rave about their coconut green curry tofu with veggies. They source their food from organic vendors and offer generous portions.
Vibe Organic Kitchen and Juice (Newport Beach): This organic, plant-based, vegan, and gluten-free restaurant offers flavorful bowls and smoothies. The Roots bowl, with avocado, squash, beets, carrots, black beans, and greens/rice/quinoa, is a popular choice. The Morning Buzz smoothie, made with cold-brew coffee, almond milk, maca, and bananas, is a guilt-free treat.
butterleaf (Irvine): Located in the TRADE Food Hall, butterleaf is a vegetarian vendor serving burgers, sides, and bowls. Their customizable bowls are packed with fresh ingredients and offer a satisfying vegetarian meal.
Laguna Beach: Where Healthy Meets Delicious
Laguna Beach is another gem for health-conscious diners, offering a range of options that prove "healthy" and "delicious" can coexist harmoniously.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
Jan’s Health Bar: A local favorite, Jan’s Health Bar is known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and simple preparations.
Urth Caffé: While famous for its organic coffee and tea, Urth Caffé also offers a food menu with 100% natural ingredients and locally sourced sustainable products. Try their Honey Vanilla Latte with almond milk or the Rising Sun Boba for a healthy energy boost.
Starfish Laguna: This restaurant breaks the mold with unique Asian-Fusion dishes, including vegetarian options like the Singapore Bamboo Roll and Sichuan Japanese Eggplant, as well as seafood dishes like the Lobster Macadamia Roll and Chilean Seabass with Thai Green Curry. Don't miss their Wok Fried Edamame with togarashi, garlic, and sesame seasoning.
Active Culture: As a natural foods café and frozen yogurt bar, Active Culture offers conscious, affordable food with generous portions and creative options. Their frozen yogurt flavors change each month, providing endless possibilities for a sweet treat.
Zinc Café & Market: Zinc's Café & Market is a neighborhood gem with an all-vegetarian menu. The market offers gourmet food to-go and specialty goods, making it easy to stay healthy at home.
Beyond Restaurants: Farmers Markets in San Bernardino
Efforts to provide healthy food options extend beyond restaurants. San Bernardino has taken steps to address its history as a food desert by hosting farmers markets. These markets bring fresh produce from locally sourced farms to the heart of the city, providing citizens with more varied and wholesome food choices.
Other Dining Experiences
Benihana: Offers a unique dining experience where chefs perform Teppanyaki, preparing meals with steak, chicken, or seafood. Sushi is also available.
The Cask: A place to enjoy steak, seafood, burgers, and salads, with a focus on California Wines and a casual atmosphere.
Black Angus Steakhouse: Black Angus Steakhouse offers cuts aged at least 21 days and seasoned to excellence.
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