By Aditya Ganjoo:
Being a foodie is both a gift and a curse. On one hand, even a single delicious meal manages to evoke an emotional response strong enough to catapult us into a state of nirvana. While on the other hand, this trip into culinary paradise usually culminates with an added inch around our waists.
But there’s a silver lining! These five restaurants have realised the importance of balancing health and taste in a way which allows us to experience our favourite dishes, guilt-free.
Hwealth Café, Defence Colony
This quaint little café offers some respite to people who are struggling to eat healthy, but cringe at the thought of having a salad. Their wide variety of healthy alternatives would make even the most passionate junk food enthusiasts drool.
You know how some meals are so good that at the end, you’re left feeling a little…high? The chettinad spicy grilled chicken meal platter manages to do exactly that. Served with sautéed vegetables that were crisped to perfection, this wholesome meal is a one of a kind experience.
What really stands out at the Hwealth café are the high power smoothies. They’re just so good! Each is served along with two shots of protein powder and honey. Unique and refreshing!
Cost for two: Rs. 800
Cuisine: Continental
Gyms Kook, Punjabi Bagh
This one is tailor-made for the health conscious brigade. Into shakes and smoothies? They’ve got plenty. More of a salad person? Look no further. They even have healthy versions of pizzas and burgers!
The best part is that all the food items have calorie indicators, so you know exactly what you’re in for.
The Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms are so good that you might just break your new year’s resolution and order three plates instead of one. It’s okay, I won’t judge you.
I also ordered the ‘Village Harvest Pizza’ out of curiosity, and wasn’t disappointed. They’d somehow managed to make it nutritious without sacrificing on the taste. Kudos to the chefs!
Cost For Two: Rs. 900
Cuisine: Continental, Juice
Healthy Routes, Connaught Place
Great little outlet located in the middle circle at Connaught Place. The ambience is simple. The walls are plastered with inspirational quotes to help control the urge to binge-eat.
When it comes to the food, they’ve managed to cut the calories down to (almost) half for most of the popular dishes that we’re used to eating. The chicken dim sums are wrapped in a layer of brown rice instead of flour, the nachos are baked, and hung curd is used to make the chocolate mousse creamy.
All in all, Healthy Routes manages to impress with its innovative food experiments and appealing presentations.
Cost For Two: Rs. 800
Cuisine: Continental
The Good Food Café, Pitampura
This joint is one of the pioneers of healthy food in Delhi. Established around 13 years ago, it’s still among the most loved and popular healthy food options out there. And for a good reason.
They have a live salad bar, where you can choose from a variety of ingredients to customise your salads. If you’re a bit indecisive, just ask the super friendly staff to cook up their own concoctions. Whichever way you choose, you’d be left licking your fingers and wanting more!
Apart from the salads, the Chicken Tikka Wrap and the Mint Mojito combination is a match made in heaven.
Cost For Two: Rs. 600
Cuisine: Continental
Pita Pit, Saket
If you’re looking for a quick, affordable healthy meal, then Pita Pit is for you. Veterans when it comes to healthy food, they’ve played a significant part in changing the eating habits of Indian urbanites.
Customise your salads and sandwiches by choosing from a plethora of ingredients. Do try their recently introduced hara bhara kebab. It totally hits the spot! Wash it down with a glass of Tropical Boost, and you’ll be set for the day.
Cost For Two: Rs. 600
Cuisine: Sandwiches, Breakfast