Plant-Forward Restaurant Guide: How to Order Healthy When Dining Out

Learning how to order healthy at restaurants while following a plant-forward lifestyle is easier than you think. Whether you’re looking for healthy restaurant options or just want to incorporate more vegetables into your meals while dining out, these practical strategies will help you navigate any menu confidently.

Smart Planning for Healthy Dining Choices

Before choosing where to dine out, consider these healthy eating tips:

• Search Google Maps for “healthy restaurant options” and “plant-forward restaurants”
• HappyCow is a super handy app that shows you vegan-friendly restaurants nearby.
• Review menus online to identify vegetable-forward dishes
• Call ahead to ask about healthy menu choices
• Look for restaurants that emphasize fresh vegetables and whole grains, as well as steamed or grilled, rather than fried, foods

Pro Tip: Many cuisines naturally offer healthy restaurant options with an emphasis on vegetables. Mediterranean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, and modern American restaurants often feature plant-forward dishes that make healthy dining out simple and delicious.

On a recent road trip across West Texas, where options were limited to BBQ, burgers, or Tex-Mex, we had to carefully map out our routes and stops, locating the restaurants that had plant-based options so that we could eat. It took a little extra effort, but we ended up finding some of the cutest little cafes that had tasty and fresh plant-forward options!

Your Healthy Dining Navigation Guide

Here’s how to find delicious plant-forward options and order healthy meals across different cuisines:

Asian Restaurant Options

• Thai: Explore vegetable-rich curries and colorful stir-fries
• Indian: Choose vegetable curries (chana masala), lentil dishes (dal), and roasted vegetable platters
• Chinese: Look for vegetable-centric dishes like Buddha’s delight, and mushroom-based or tofu options

Mediterranean & European Choices

• Mediterranean: Select mezze platters featuring fresh vegetables and legumes including falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, dolma, or lentil soup and a Greek salad
• Italian: Order vegetable-focused primavera dishes or minestrone soup and a salad with simple oil and vinegar

Mexican Restaurant Tips

• Choose vegetable-rich fajitas and guacamole
• Order bean and fresh vegetable combinations
• Select dishes featuring fresh salsas and vegetables, and choose corn tortillas over flour

Quick Service Healthy Options

When seeking quick, healthy restaurant options:

• Taco Bell: Bean burrito “fresco style” or veggie power bowl minus dairy
• Chipotle: Sofritas or veggie bowl with all the plant-based fixings
• Burger King: Impossible Whopper (no mayo) with a side salad
• Subway: Veggie patty bowl (where available) loaded with veggies

For more chain restaurant options, check out PETA’s vegan menu guide. Just remember, while these options are vegan, they’re not always the healthiest choices, but just do the best you can in any given situation.

Making Healthy Choices While Dining Socially

Maintaining your plant-forward eating habits while dining out socially is about balance:

• Request extra vegetables or plant-forward modifications
• Choose restaurants known for healthy menu options
• Keep your focus on enjoying both the company and nutritious food
• Remember that consistent healthy choices matter more than perfection

Recently, at an upscale restaurant with friends, I discovered how accommodating chefs can be when it comes to creating plant-forward dishes. The kitchen prepared a creative dish with an array of seasonal vegetables and grains that demonstrated how sophisticated and satisfying healthy restaurant dining can be. It ended up being the talk of the table, and even my non-vegan friends were eyeing my plate with envy. 

Moving Forward with Healthy Dining

Making healthy choices while dining out becomes second nature with practice. Focus on restaurants that offer abundant vegetable options and creative plant-forward dishes. Every meal is an opportunity to enjoy delicious, healthy restaurant options.

Want more healthy, plant-forward meal inspiration? Download our free “Plant-Powered Meal Planning 101: A 6-Step Guide” guide and bring some restaurant magic into your own kitchen!

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