San Diego’s healthiest eateries

Looking for a healthier alternative for dining out? It can be hard to eat “good” in San Diego because of the plethora of choices of restaurants in town. Downtown, Hillcrest, North Park, and La Jolla offer fine dining and not-so-fine-dining at a cost that does not only hurt your wallet, but may in fact expand your waistline.

If you don’t want to have to buy a bigger pair of pants, check out these local eateries that offer healthy fare:

Cantina Panaderia

Located in Pacific Beach, this little Spanish delight makes you forget that you are eating healthy. They offer a range of typical Mexican food like quesadillas and burritos, but with options like tofu and steamed veggies. Another great dish here is the Buddha Bowl which smells heavenly.

I stopped in for the flourless chocolate cake( I know, I know) and it was moist and had so many levels of depth to the chocolate. It made me want to ask for the recipe so I could have slice every morning!

966 Felspar St.
Pacific Beach
858.272.8400
www.cantinacollective.com

Blenders Smoothies

Blenders is all about health! Back in my partying days, I would stop in here every Saturday morning and order the killer combo. . . four shot glasses that were meant to boost your body and provide all of the necessary nutrients and antioxidants for one day (and probably the week really).

Here is the breakdown: one shot glass is filled with ginger and carrot, one with garlic and onion, one with wheatgrass, and the last one with beet juice. It is all fresh and can be tricky to take it all down on the first go at it!

In addition to the healthy fruit and veggie juices that they offer, the menu is loaded with nutrient packed smoothies and delicious fruit bowls. They are a little pricey but it is worth the extra nickel and dime to pay for a healthy treat rather than spend it somewhere like Jamba Juice.

6663 El Cajon Blvd (between Montezuma & Pearson)
Rolando / College Area
619.466.0074
www.sandiegoblenders.com

Niban

Hand roll from Niban Sushi (photo from Niban web site)

Sushi, sushi, sushi. Niban offers healthy sushi rolls (as long as you avoid deep-fried and cream cheese) stacked with sashimi grade fishies at a decent cost. Rolls like the rainbow roll, the hawaiian roll, and the diego roll are best sellers and some of the tastiest rolls in town.

Beside sushi, they offer a wide range of noodles that are perfect  or when the weather starts to cool down and the only things that can cure it is a warm bowl of broth loaded with udon noodles! Niban has Kirin on tap too … but that may take away from the healthiness of the place.

7081 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #101
Kearny Mesa
858.268.0465
niban.weebly.com

These are just some of the few up and coming restaurants that are aiming to serve organic, natural, and good for you fare. Food is all about flavors, but it is important to remember that so many restaurants are replacing natural flavors with unhealthy fakes. So, the next time you are out, keep an eye out for the organic eateries because they will sure to please your tastebuds and your needs!