Top 5 Guilt-Free Restaurants

When it comes to the weekend the first thing you want to do is relax and go eat with your friends, family or significant other. You immediately think about your diet. You mentally begin to cancel many restaurants out and are left with nowhere to go. Here is the thing — you do not have to do that each time you want to socialize.

Let me guide you to restaurants I have found over the years to be a healthier alternative to your usual burger spot or Italian restaurants. Yes, you still have to make sacrifices when you want to stick to your diet, but there are many restaurants out there that are good for you and you are still going to enjoy. Whether you are vegan or not, here are five guilt-free restaurants.

Urban Plates serves delicious-nutritious food that you can enjoy guilt-free. Photo by me.

The first restaurant on the list is Urban Plates. A plate that includes grilled albacore, roasted rosemary potatoes, tomato mozzarella salad and complimentary rustic bread slice is 600 calories. Urban Plates serves balanced meals, which means each customizable plate you order includes a protein, a carb and a vegetable. You can order any protein from salmon to chicken breast to steak and fish. The same goes for carbohydrates and vegetables that are seasonal and change every few months.

Tender Greens has a wide variety of food its menu, so it is easy to choose an amazing meal. Photo by me.

Next on the list is Tender Greens. A plate with salt and pepper chicken, sprouted rice and a complimentary small salad is approximately 580 calories. Like Urban Plates, the plates are also customizable balanced meals.

Fresh Griller serves wraps, bowls and salads filled with colorful ingredients to ensure you are eating your required intake of vegetables. For instance a steak wrap with no sauces is 350 calories. Most of the items on the menu are approximately below 600 calories, which is great when you are sticking to your diet.

Café Gratitude accommodate food allergies. Simply let your server know your allergy.  Photo by me.

For those of you who are vegans or vegetarians, one of my favorite places to go is Café Gratitude. One bowl of Indian curry is 250 calories. Cafe Gratitude has a seasonal menu that ranges from bowls to wraps to salads to vegetable shots and natural smoothies.

Veggie Grill serves vegan and vegetarian options. Photo by me. 

Another great vegan option is Veggie Grill. A quinoa veggie burger is 580 calories. The burger is filled with cilantro pesto, vegan mayonnaise, arugula and vegan cheese. Veggie Grill has healthy and unhealthy options, but the healthy options include healthy re-creations of buffalo wings, burgers and nachos.

You can stop worrying when it comes to eating out and enjoy your night out with your friends or on your dates.