Food

Hotsy’s

As the name implies, they do burgers well here and if you keep your "dressing" to lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, the steak burger and the turkey burger are excellent choices. Another fun alternative is the baked potato with broccoli and mushrooms.

Koboshi Sushi Restaurant

How can you go wrong with steamed vegetables or edamame? They're very low in fat and full of protein. When ordering sushi ask for the low sodium soy sauce. Check out their baked salmon and grilled to order items.

Papa’s Pizza

It's hard to think healthy and pizza in the same sentence but when mindful of portion size, a slice of Veggie Pizza, Tomato Basil Pizza or plain Cheese Pizza is a fine midday selection. Like all good pizza joints, they have a good salad bar too.

Purple Cactus

There's a lot more to Mexican Food than you might expect. Made from scratch with fresh ingredients, there are several healthy choices on this menu. Our favorites here are the Grilled Veggie Salad or the Cancun Seafood Salad. Fish tacos, Black Bean Burrito and Veggie Whole Wheat Quesadilla are also all excellent lunch items.

Rick’s Grille

Fresh sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes, onions and green peppers; hold the cheese for a leaner lunch. Or taste Rick's mouth-watering grilled chicken breast sautéed with onions and other vegetables of your choice.

Sir Gyro

Sir Gyros' super healthy, flavorful, Mediterranean salad topped with marinated skinless chicken is an obvious choice. Or substitute a gyro if you prefer. The homemade hummus can't be beat and is very low in cholesterol, is a good source of vitamin B6, manganese and protein.

St. Charles Noodle

Decidedly Asian influenced, the grilled shrimp salad, grilled pork, chicken or shrimp vermicelli bowls, spring rolls, or tofu dishes offer unlimited healthy choices. They also have a wonderful selection of clear soups.

Steve’s Diner

This friendly, traditional diner serves up food that is anything but ordinary. Gourmet style deli sandwiches are their specialty and since they're made with premium meats and whole grain breads, it is easy to build a healthy, sandwich here.

Terrazu

Terrazu's claim to fame is premium fresh brewed gourmet coffees. But it doesn't stop there. The menu is packed with light, fresh sandwiches and salads such as the Mandarin Chicken Salad made with diced chicken breast, avocado, honey roasted peanuts, mandarin orange and diced red pepper over a bed of baby mixed greens with a side of sesame ginger dressing. They also have a fine selection of house made dressings such as the house tarragon vinaigrette, pepper jelly vinaigrette, sesame ginger vinaigrette, spinach vinaigrette*, spicy creole tomato*, creamy blue cheese*, buttermilk ranch, honey dijon and simple balsamic vinaigrette

*denotes sugar free which is a plus for salad eaters trying to watch calories.

Vintage Garden Kitchen

The Vintage Garden Kitchen (VGK), already well known for its homemade healthy soups such as Fire Roasted Tomato Basil, Smothered Chicken with Rice and Greens and Moroccan Chickpea Stew, offers fresh salads, wraps and bowls. Many soups are dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian or vegan.

VGK’s executive chef, Leo Tandecki begins with fresh ingredients from farmer’s markets, local grocers and from their own Vintage Garden Farms in Metairie, Uptown N.O. and in Chalmette.

Currently, VGK delivers in seven zip codes around N.O.