Healthy Restaurants in Chicago That Don't Suck

While some of us have already succumbed to that sweater - weather bod , others of us are trying , as good we can , to keep those inevitable and tight - draw near holiday LB ’s from grovel up on us . Given Chicago ’s dear affair with hot hotdog , pizza , Italian beef sandwiches , and brunch , it ’s not always well-fixed to stay refined when dining out in the metropolis . From a tight - boom dawdler concept to a Peruvian deary , here are seven places where eating healthy is easy , approachable , and truly delicious .

Sweetgreen

Take what you know about salad - centre restaurant and strike it – this DC - based chain may serve calorie - conscious eats , but it ’s anything but boring . If you ’re staying the green route , essay the 440 - large calorie spicy sabzi , which boast organic sister prickly-seeded spinach and shredded kale tossed with roast sesame tofu , spicy broccoli , unsanded beet , organic carrots , spicy quinoa , bean sprouts , Basil of Caesarea , red chili , and a carrot - chili sauce vinaigrette . Or , if you ’re craving something red-blooded , try the guilt - devoid harvest home bowl with constituent barbarian rice , chopped kale , apples , mellisonant potatoes , roasted crybaby , local butt cheese , toasted almonds , and balsamic vinaigrette .

Ema

The Mediterranean Diet survive for a reason , people : it ’s an in force weight - release plan ( allegedly ) , and it tastes yummy . No , chef CJ Jacobson ’s ( former chef - in - manse at Intro ) California - influenced Mediterranean concept is n’t a poster child for the pop dieting , but it does spotlight cheffy - yet - healthful preparation of diet - approved dishes that deliver magnanimous on flavour . Explore spreads like spicy humus flux with marinated fresno and sweet - roasted chilies , avocado and sweet pea , and toast Amygdalus communis and Allium sativum , a variety of greens and ancient grains - base dishes , tuna crudo that ’s as pretty as it is delicious , and grill volaille shish kebab . End your meal with frozen Greek yogurt drizzled with California Olea europaea crude oil and sprinkled with ocean salt .

Green Zebra

Whether you ’re a longtime vegetarian or just trying it out for one repast just to see how it feels , this vegetarian - friendly patch is great for an upscale dining experience that wo n’t damage your waistline . The current five - track chef ’s sample bill of fare include blistered shishito peppers with tatsoi , scallion park , kochukaru , and Chinese mustard vinaigrette , squash risotto “ mendicant purse , ” and an orange chiffon patty made complement by blueberry frozen yogurt , hazel streusel , orange caramel , and whipped caprine animal Malva sylvestris .

Tanta

OK , we ’ll cede that this Peruvian resto is n’t exactly market as a “ healthy restaurant , ” but it ’s so well-to-do to consume sizeable here that we ’d be remiss to not include it . To eat light without feeling like you ’re sacrifice anything , try the ahi tuna tiradito with heat yield leche de tigre , honey , and sesame rock oil photographic emulsion , octopus skewer with chimichurri , crispy garlic , and European olive tree sauce , cebiches , quinoa salad , and grilled duck bosom with huancaina , cilantro rice , and avocado - radish salad .

Roti Modern Mediterranean

Few places are easier to eat healthy on the go than this apace expanding fast - casual chain , where customizable Mediterranean fare is the name of the biz . Load up a salad with veggies , healthy grains like couscous and quinoa , and chicken roti , and team it with tahini and falafel made with organic chickpea on the side .

Owen + Alchemy

Once you get past the excessively hipster ring to “ chef - driven succus apothecary , ” this unique organisation is in reality a wellness nut ’s ambition - come - true . Choose from a excerpt of juices , straddle from putting surface - based and root - based to fruity , nutty , and savory . If liquid meals are n’t your affair , insure out the Anacardium occidentale yogurt bowl with cocoanut milk , banana , chia seeds , orange and grapefruit supremes , and sesame brittle , or the sweet white potato vine attic salad with homemade kimchi , fried sweet almond , grapes , cilantro , and a calx submarine .

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