25+ Healthy(ish) Super Foods

Vegan Plate
VEGAN PLATE
Vegans rave about this Roseville hotspot whose key to success is simple: provide quality, consistent food that tastes great. As their name implies, everything—from burgers and pizza to noodles, rice bowls, desserts, and more—is entirely plant-based. Whether you have your heart set on Asian, American, or Caribbean cuisine, there’s a “vegan plate” guaranteed to please.
ROCKER OYSTERFELLER’S KITCHEN + SALOON
ROCKER OYSTERFELLER’S KITCHEN + SALOON
MY THAI KITCHEN
MY THAI KITCHEN
At My Thai Kitchen, healthy choices abound. Simply ask your server if your desired dish can be made gluten-free or vegan (chances are, it can!). What’s more, all their food is prepared fresh daily using healthy oils in their wok and fryer, with veggies flashed-cooked to preserve their nutritional value and texture.
NIXTACO
NIXTACO
Those hungry for something hearty can opt for the queso fundido, extra cheesy quesadillas, or very filling (very tasty!) Twenty Dollar Burrito with fried chicken and smoked carnitas, but customers counting calories are in luck, too. Nixtaco offers plenty of lighter meals made with nutrient-rich ingredients, like their popular tacos that sit atop hand-made blue corn tortillas. Made using a special process called nixtamalization—a method where the corn is soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution, resulting in grain that’s more easily ground—the tortillas have tons of nutrients with unforgettable flavor.
FLOUR DUST PIZZA
FLOUR DUST PIZZA
Using Italian-imported double zero flour enriched with whole wheat flour, Flour Dust—known for their praiseworthy pizzas with clever ingredient combos—makes their dough with a slow fermentation and very little yeast. In addition to a fool-proof, flavorful crust, the method helps break down the gluten, so your body doesn’t have to work so hard to digest it. In other words, you can indulge in your favorite comfort food (pizza) without the gut bomb that often comes with it.
SMITH FLAT HOUSE; Photo by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group
SMITH FLAT HOUSE
2021 Smith Flat Road, Placerville, 530-621-1003, smithflathouse.com
PLACERVILLE PUBLIC HOUSE
PLACERVILLE PUBLIC HOUSE
Placerville Public House—which recently relocated to the historic Hangtown Building—serves scratch-made, seasonal fare using mostly local organic ingredients…with plenty of rotating craft pints, too. In addition to hearty plates like nachos with beer cheese and sticky pork wings, there’s better-for-you options, like an amazing ahi salad and herb-roasted squash tacos. What’s more, most menu items can be made vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
VIBE HEALTH BAR
VIBE HEALTH BAR
If the name wasn’t a dead giveaway, we’re here to tell you that Vibe Health Bar makes food that feeds the body and the soul. From superfood açaí bowls and smoothies to healthy wraps and cold-pressed juices, their entire mission is to help busy folks reach their health goals in the most delicious way possible. Not to mention, their products are made from organic produce and non-GMO ingredients. So many wins!
BAMIYAN AFGHAN RESTAURANT; Photo by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group
BAMIYAN AFGHAN RESTAURANT
Afghan cuisine is a wonderful blend of warm spices, hearty grains and meats, and abundant produce (in the form of sautéed squash, spinach, and pumpkin purée)—all of which are good for you. With ingredients straight from the farmers’ market and recipes that are probably generations old, Bamiyan makes dining a wholesome experience. Explore new and intriguing dishes like savory saffron pea soup and lean, flavorful kebabs and you’ll soon have a new favorite cuisine.
SIENNA; Photo by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group
SIENNA
Sienna is known for their quality offerings and accommodating staff that caters to customers’ every need. From fresh salads (blackened shrimp, anyone?) to dazzling dinner entrées like their Thai chili Alaskan halibut, you’re bound to find something to please your palate while ticking off all the “healthy” checkboxes.
PHO MIMI; Photo by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group
PHO MIMI
25004 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 121, Folsom, 916-542-7913, phomimi.comBO URBAN CORNER; Photo by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group
BO URBAN CORNER
This Vietnamese café keeps its menu simple and to the point with rolls, bowls, bánh mì sandwiches, soups, and fried rice. They also have a couple of delicacies like lemongrass and curry chicken. Pick your protein (chicken, beef, salmon, pork, shrimp, tofu) and base, then dig into the freshest, most flavorful, and fragrant food around.
BENNETT’S KITCHEN BAR MARKET
BENNETT’S KITCHEN BAR MARKET
Whatever your (healthy) poison—paleo, gluten-free, keto, vegetarian, or heart-healthy—Bennett’s has you covered. (They even mark each menu item with the aforementioned labels.) Dine in at their top-notch restaurant or shop at their grab-and-go seasonal market that’s chock-full of dinners, dips, and spreads, house-made desserts, their famous enchiladas, and other packaged goods. Their weekend brunch and all-day menus offer a wide variety of indulgent and lean foods spanning multiple cuisines that run the gamut from grilled chimichurri chicken to Maui beet salad and ahi poke.
THAI PARADISE; Photo by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group
THAI PARADISE
You know Thai Paradise for their authentic, bursting-with-flavor, quality Thai dishes, but look closer at their menu and you’ll find a host of options that suit your dietary needs and health goals. Not one to compromise on flavor, you can find good-for-you food here that doesn’t skimp on the aromatics, spices, or quantities. And you can indulge in a myriad of healthy dishes (green papaya salad, grilled Malaysian salmon, or any of their Thai soups) and feel like you’re not missing out.
VISCONTI’S RISTORANTE; Photo by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group
VISCONTI’S RISTORANTE
Comfort food and nostalgia abound at Visconti’s—a Folsom institution that’s been dishing out labors of love for almost three decades. With recipes passed down from generations and imported meats, cheeses, and wines, you’re assured of only the best dining experience. From light lunches, soups, salads, and other dishes prepared to order, your every wish will be fulfilled here.
RESET: CAFE BY DAY
RESET: CAFE BY DAY
Casual California cuisine inspired by and sourced from the region’s abundance of crops and produce—the ethos behind Reset’s mouthwatering menu—is the recipe for success…and healthy eating. In addition to decadent pastries (baked in-house using real ingredients like butter, cream, and organic free-range eggs), savory paninis, and fresh-made flatbreads, they serve a bevy of better-for-you fare, too, like salads and a keto egg-bite trio.
ZEST KITCHEN ; Photo by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group
ZEST KITCHEN
Expect lovingly created, plant-based foods—including lots of seasonal specials—that are vibrant, fun, and full of flavor at Zest Kitchen. From ultra-healthy to cozy and comforting, everything they serve is good for you and super satisfying. Most of their menu is handmade from whole, fresh ingredients, making them a haven for those with allergies and dietary issues.
FISHOLOGY POKE BAR; Photo by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group
FISHOLOGY POKE BAR
One of the region’s first—and most popular—poke places, Fishology brings the freshness. Pack your bowl full of protein (all fish is cut fresh daily), a base of brown rice for some whole-grain goodness, and top it with tons of colorful mix-ins, and up to three sauces of your liking. Any way you fill it, expect a heart-healthy meal loaded with vitamins, healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants.
VAIANO TRATTORIA
VAIANO TRATTORIA
Expect simple, made-to-order meals crafted using the freshest ingredients and served with a side of warmth and affection at this beloved Granite Bay trattoria. Whether it’s the tenderloin, salmon carpaccio, or any of their other umpteen Tuscan-inspired offerings, there’s more to Italian fare than pasta (hey, nothing wrong with pasta though!) and Vaiano Trattoria proves it.
SCOTT’S SEAFOOD ROUNDHOUSE; Photo by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group
THE FARM TABLE
Scrumptious suppers abound at The Farm Table. An everchanging seasonal menu means fresh, farm-to-table offerings that are never lacking in flavor and guarantee the best of what our region has to offer all year long.
THE FARM TABLE
SCOTT’S SEAFOOD ROUNDHOUSE
Scott’s always serves the freshest of seafood delivered daily from regional fishermen and around the world (think Atlantic lobster, Dungeness crab, caviar, Pacific halibut, and Florida littleneck). All the fruits of the sea find their way to your plate here.
CANTINA LAREDO
CANTINA LAREDO
Cantina Laredo offers a modern take on traditional Mexican food. That means you can expect selections like fire-charred skirt steak, smoky chipotle wine sauce, mushroom-stuffed green chilis, and bacon-wrapped shrimp. They’ve even got a handy-dandy nutrition guide on their website to help you choose the best options for your diet and lifestyle.
HEYDAY CAFE
HEYDAY CAFE
Offering a wide, ever-expanding array of cuisines, Heyday Café makes innovative food in the form of specialty salads, artisan pizzas and paninis, and mouthwatering entrées. Creative and health-conscious offerings include house-made black bean sliders and sausages, crab-stuffed salmon, free-range BBQ chicken, and more.
ROCK-N-FIRE
ROCK-N-FIRE
Rock-N-Fire brings you the trifecta of fast food—pizzas, burgers, and wings—but in a more customized, sophisticated way. That means if you want your burger in a bowl or you’d like to create a hearty salad from scratch, you can happily do so here. You don’t need to skip the fast food any more with these creative options.
What to order: Sushi Burger in a Bowl. Fresh ahi tuna, baby spinach, cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts, avocado, and a delectable soy ginger wasabi aioli make up this Asian-inspired “burger.” Skip the bun to have it in a bowl and you’ve just treated yourself to a delicious, wholesome meal without the sluggish aftermath.
GARDEN OF EAT’N
GARDEN OF EAT’N
“Wholesome food without the hassle” is the tagline of Garden of Eat’n—a local eatery offering create-your-own salads, in addition to sandwiches, wraps, rice bowls, “piadinas,” and decadent bowls of mac & cheese. Using fresh ingredients that are prepped daily and a made-to-order approach, their goal is for every customer to finish their meal feeling healthy and happy. No matter your dietary restrictions or needs (no gluten? no dairy? no meat?), it’s no problem for the friendly folks here.
HISUI SUSHI
HISUI SUSHI
Hisui Sushi’s whole mission is to serve the freshest, healthiest sushi in town, so you know you’re in good hands here. Their all-you-can-eat lunches and umpteen other offerings ensure you get your fill of fresh fish and creative combinations.
Eat Healthy When Eating Out
1. Choose veggies over bread. Start your meal with veggies by ordering a salad or veggie appetizer instead of bread. When we fill up with fiber-rich foods, we often feel satisfied sooner.
2. Choose water, sparkling water, or unsweetened tea with lemon instead of sugary sodas or juices.
3. Know your sauces. Try looking for red sauces made with vegetables and less sugar instead of white sauces, which are typically filled with heavy creams, butters, or inflammatory oils.
4. Choose dressing wisely. Dressings are often made with sugars, additives, and soybean or canola oil—not olive oil. Ask your server about dressings and try to choose a vinaigrette made with olive oil or ask for oil and vinegar and add a pinch of salt and pepper.
5. Request avocado instead of mayo. Making the swap to avocado will provide you with healthy fats and help you feel fuller longer.
6. Choose wine over cocktails. While both have calories and sugar, wine is a better choice. If you find that wine leaves you with a headache or not feeling well, ask if they serve sulfite-free wine. It can make a big difference!
7. Skip fried foods. Swap fried foods for baked, broiled, or sautéed ones. These healthier cooking styles are much lower in fat and calories and are a more heart-healthy option.
8. Ask for a box early. Sometimes when we eat socially, we tend to eat past our hunger queues, picking our way to a food coma. Instead of overindulging and eating until your plate is empty, ask for a box as soon as you start to feel full.
9. Skip decadent desserts. It’s OK to have dessert, but choose fruit-based desserts, sorbets, or lighter options instead of dense cakes, pies, or ice cream. Add a cappuccino or coffee if you feel the need to keep going.
10. Don’t be afraid to ask. If you’re unsure about how something is prepared or some of the ingredients—just ask! Your server should know the menu and can likely recommend some healthy options or available swaps.
Courtesy of Tasha Rosales, certified nutritionist at Wellness Homemade in El Dorado Hills. Read her tips for healthy eating, meal prepping, and more at wellnesshomemade.org.
Healthy Food Must-Haves
1. Cruciferous vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts all contain glucosinolates and indoles, which are antioxidants that can help protect the body’s cells from cancer and detoxify carcinogens.
2. Dark green/orange/red vegetables. Kale, spinach, carrots, yams, and pumpkins contain carotenoids, flavonoids, and folate, which can decrease the growth of some cancers. These colorful veggies also contain vitamin A, which helps support the immune system to function properly because of the nutrient's anti-inflammatory effect.
3. Berries. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries contain vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. These nutrients help to protect against cell damage and boost the immune system.
4. Grapes. The active ingredient in these juicy bites, resveratrol, is found in the fruit’s skins and is a potent antioxidant and cardiovascular protectant.
5. Cherries. These bright red treats contain monoterpenes and have been found to slow the progression of leukemia.
6. Beans & legumes. Black, pinto, dried peas, and lentils contain essential fiber and active components called saponin, phytic acid, and protease inhibitors—components that help protect against certain cancers (specifically colon) and slow cancer cell division.
7. Garlic/onions/chives/leeks. These flavor-inducing culinary ingredients contain a compound called diallyl disulfide, which is a natural detoxifying agent and has become known as useful for cancer prevention and treatment. Garlic, specifically, also has antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, and fungicidal properties.
8. Green tea. This soothing and popular beverage contains active compounds called polyphenols and flavonoids, which has been shown to protect against cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases because of its powerful anti-inflammatory effects.
9. Nuts & seeds. Walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds contain protein, fiber, tocopherols, and monounsaturated fats, which are known to have cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits. They are also very satiating—even in small doses.
10. Avocado. This highly nutritious fruit—although often thought of as a vegetable—is high in monounsaturated fat, which helps to increase HDL, aka, “good cholesterol.”
Courtesy of Amy Triplett, RD, clinical outpatient dietitian, at Marshall Medical Center's Diabetes & Nutrition Education Department.
Photos by Taylor Gillespie © and wholly owned by Style Media Group—please don’t steal our copyrighted photos. For more information about our editorial photos, please click here to contact us https://www.stylemg.com/pages/contact-us