Eat right in 2022!
There's a popular saying among fitness circles that abs start in the kitchen. Thankfully, they don't specify whose kitchen!
If you're one of the many, many people who have made healthier eating into a goal for 2022, you should know that eating well doesn't have to mean making compromises in where you eat. In fact, Denver has plenty of awesome restaurants that let you have delicious meals on the go without any guilt about what your food is doing to your fitness goals.
Let's take a look!
Hapa Sushi
Okay, we get it: sushi is generally a healthy food on its own, so you could conceivably put just about any healthy restaurant on this list. What separates Hapa from other sushi restaurants, though, is the sheer imagination of their ingredients—and therefore, they offer an opportunity to go crazy on sushi in a way that few other restaurants do.
Sure, all of the classics are here, but we recommend venturing into the more exotic part of Hapa's menu and grabbing something with mandarin oranges, fresh jalapenos, or chili ponzu. While splurging on one of their super-indulgent fried rolls might not quite line up with your #2022FitnessGoals, it's definitely a (comparatively) lower calorie way to celebrate life than most other cheat meals!
MAD Greens
This one feels a little bit like cheating because healthy eating is the name of the game for MAD Greens. Then again, eating at MAD Greens will also feel like cheating because you'll be getting super tasty, super diet-friendly meals at super affordable prices. Don't just take it from us through, here's OCN Eat's very own Larry Herz talking about them:
Motomaki
Ordering from Motomaki means getting all the joy of a massive, overstuffed burrito with all the flavor (and health benefits) of a sushi roll. While one of their massive sushi burritos is comparable in calories to a burrito from Chipolte, it's significantly tastier and A LOT more filling. As an added bonus, Motomaki also has a robust Poke menu, making it perfect for diners who want a fresh, lean option without compromising on flavor.
Smokin' Oak Wood-Fired Pizza
Another curveball coming right at you. Pizza is (hopefully) one of the LAST things people think about when they visualize "healthy food," but restaurants like Smokin' Oak offer diners a chance to enjoy premium-quality pizza without any of the guilt. True to their name, Smokin' Oak features individual wood-fired pizzas that can comfortably fit within a health-minded meal plan. You can really taste the difference using the wood-fired method makes, as it amps all of those classic pizza topping flavors up to 11. After all, if you can't enjoy a little pizza once in a while, what's even the point of getting in shape?
Superfood Bar
This one should feel at least a little obvious—it's in the name! The Superfood Bar in LoHi is an eatery whose menu is absolutely packed with healthy and nutritious options. After all, where else can you grab a pumpkin and raw carrot salad before washing everything down with a turmeric smoothie? As an added bonus, everything on the menu is 100% vegan! Also, as an added-added bonus, it's all gluten-free too!
Eating healthy doesn't have to mean making compromises. As you can see from these restaurants, it's completely possible to dine out on some delicious food without worrying about undermining your fitness goals. Here's to a happier, healthier, and—most importantly—tastier 2022! Cheers!
