There are all kinds of ways to eat healthier – whether that’s vegetarian, gluten-free or eating foods without preservatives. Here are 9 choices for healthier eating in the Fort. 

Byblos Lebanese Restaurant

Byblos Lebanese Restaurant has been dishing up healthy, plant-based Mediterranean cuisine (along with a side of belly dancing) for three decades. With classic dishes like hummus, baba ganoush, fattoush, tabouli and Greek salad, along with baked vegetarian moussaka and a baked falafel sandwich –– you won’t miss the animal fat, I promise!

 

First Watch Daytime Café

For a chain restaurant, First Watch Daytime Café has a diverse menu and a surprising social conscience. The coffee comes from women-owned co-ops in Huila, Colombia. Sure, you’ll find bacon and eggs at this dressed-up diner, but these share space on the menu with super seed protein pancakes, a kale smoothie, quinoa bowls and a “morning market” veg blend for omelets and frittatas that’s packed with roasted zucchini, Crimini mushrooms, chopped broccoli, tomatoes and goat cheese.

 

HG SPLY Co.

Anything on the HG Sply menu can be made gluten-free or vegan and much of the menu is Paleo or Primal. Try chips and vegan queso or a spicy beet “poke” with avocado, cucumber, watermelon radish and edamame. If you’re skipping grains, the poblano-chile cauliflower “grits” won’t have you missing corn. Best of all, you can get a gluten-free bread pudding or pumpkin cheesecake.

 

Juice Junkies

Juice Junkies offers a variety of feel-good cold-pressed beverages, smoothies, salads, grain-free “noodle” dishes, and even coffee or tea if you need a little caffeine before your juice cleanse.

 

Righteous Foods

Lanny Lancarte’s Righteous Foods merges vegan, gluten-free, and clean eating into a delightful, tasty, and indulgent menu. Coconut chia seed pudding, quinoa porridge, grains, greens and a veggie burrito cuddle up on a menu that also includes uncured Niman Ranch bacon and meatballs, free range chicken and waffles. You can detox (with drinking vinegars and cold-pressed juice) or retox (with margaritas, mimosas and a gin and lavender “shizzle”), depending on your preference.

 

Spiral Diner

Spiral Diner and Bakery was Fort Worth’s first vegan restaurant, and the menu at the Magnolia location has convinced many a carnivore that dairy- and meat-free food doesn’t have to be boring. Of course, there are traditional vegan staples like salads, hummus and a Portobello burger “patty." But there’s also cashew-based “cheese” for nachos, a Philly cheese seitan steak roll and a barbecue sandwich made with grilled and smoked seitan and homemade BBQ sauce.

 

Taco Heads

Do you want to eat clean, but can’t quit the Mexican street tacos? At Taco Heads, you’ll find several veggie tacos (I like the charred avocado and roasted corn with the pickled slaw), along with shrimp and fish tacos, street corn, and a deliciously simple dessert of sweet pineapple with lime and chile seasoning. Make any taco into a salad for a gluten-free treat.

 

Finally, there are a lot of eateries with healthier food choices embedded in their traditional menus. The Blue Zones Project® partners with restaurants to include vegetarian or ovo-lacto-vegetarian menu items so that diners have cleaner eating options.  Look for approved restaurants here.