Almost half the U.S. population makes New Year's resolutions, and the No. 1 goal they set is to lose weight. Sound like you? Obviously, eating at home is going to help you hit your magic number (you know why restaurant food is so delicious? Because butter) but it can be a drag when your friends want to pig out at the hottest resto in town and you're calorie-counting. Luckily, there are some sweet spots around town that serve up Fitbit-friendly meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
BREAKFAST
FRESHII 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. |
407-203-8856 | freshii.com | $$
Who doesn't love a good breakfast burrito? There are four on the menu here – including one with avocado, black beans and pico – plus fresh juices and an array of virtuous oatmeal bowls teeming with fresh fruit and nuts.
903 MILLS MARKET 903 S. Mills Ave. | 407-898-4392 | 903millsmarketcafe.com | $
There are plenty of indulgent options here, so if you're brunching with non-dieters, they'll be happy too. Choose a fruit bowl with granola or the lox and bagel – just go easy on the schmear.
ARTISAN'S TABLE 22 E. Pine St. |
407-730-7499 | artisanstableorlando.com | $$
For a schmancy sit-down brunch that'll still leave you with positive net calories, choose the Southwest veggie breakfast bowl with roasted peppers, onions and cauliflower, topped with an egg. If you just have to have some booze, the Artisan Mary is your best bet for a low-calorie buzz.
FIRST WATCH multiple locations in Orlando, Winter Park and Maitland | firstwatch.com | $$
A chain, yes, but the great thing is that almost any request for special preparation is heeded with no fuss. Want an over-easy egg on that quinoa bowl? Done. Dry English muffin? Coming right up.
LUNCH
EXTRACT JUICE & TAPAS BAR 101 S. Garland Ave. | 400 W. New England Ave., Winter Park | 407-960-6988 | facebook.com/extracttapas | $$
At Extract's spanking-new location in Canvs, the downtown co-working space, plus the existing counter in Hannibal Square, eating fresh is super-chic. If you're juicing, try the fruit-and-deep-greens Powerhouse. If not, a flatbread topped with hummus, alfalfa, cucumber and tomato is the way to go.
GREENS & GRILLE 4104 Millenia Blvd. |
407-770-1407 | greensandgrille.com | $$
Ordering a salad here is anything but blasé. There are more than 20 high-quality toppings, and protein options include turkey, chicken, pork loin, steak, shrimp, salmon or a portobello mushroom, all grilled to order.
EDEN'S FRESH CO. multiple locations in Orlando, Winter Park and Longwood | edensorlando.com | $ Choose one of the meticulously curated mixes or make your own, but choose a salad, not a wrap – ditching the tortilla saves about 350 calories. Those precious units are best spent on cheese, anyway.
SKYEBIRD JUICE BAR & EXPERIMENTAL KITCHEN 3201 Corrine Drive | 407-960-2861 | skyebird.com | $$ Raw food your thing? Stop by this stall in East End Market for cold-pressed juices, house-brewed kombuchas and beautifully layered quinoa bowls, zucchini "noodles" and salads filled with local produce, natch.
DINNER
CAFÉ 118 153 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park | 407-389-2233 | cafe118.com | $$$
Speaking of raw food, if you thought going vegan this year meant giving up cheese – you're only sort of right. The raw-veggie lasagna at this enclave just off Park Avenue is layered with macadamia nut "cheese" and is surprisingly satisfying when you need a little Italian fix without the post-pasta food baby.
GREEN DAY CAFÉ
1084 Lee Road, 407-704-7877 |
807 N. Orange Ave., 407-270-0772 |
greendaycafe.com | $
Veggie-filled wraps and four brown-rice bowls are the stars of this eco-friendly menu. The Dijon turkey mélange is topped with black beans, colby jack, tomatoes and a tangy honey-mustard vinaigrette.
HUBBLY BUBBLY 3405 Edgewater Drive | 407-985-5841 | hubblybubblyfalafel.com | $
For a super-filling dinner, go for a lentil salad bowl and pile on fresh toppings like pickled turnip, cucumbers, olives, tomatoes and onions. Add a scoop of the impossibly creamy hummus for a little extra protein and monounsaturated fat (olive oil, you know?) with nary a processed grain.
NAR MEDITERRANEAN GRILL
3402 Technological Ave. | 407-277-4774 |
narmedi.com | $
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food is generally a good bet for healthy options, and this hidden Turkish gem is no exception. If you're trying to limit carbs or grains, pass up the pita and go for the tomato and cucumber salad topped with marinated chicken doner.
