In recent years, Americans have been struck with a contagious diet fever. They have become obsessed with conquering their appetites and finding the best, healthiest dieting strategies.
This new health craze is spreading and most recently, the low-carb Atkins diet has become all the rage. From low-carb pasta to vegetarian burgers, the craze is moving to new extremes, and has people flocking to stores to buy these trendy diet products.
If you are trying to eat healthier this school year, living on campus should not stop you. You can still indulge in all the health food you want. Whether you are dieting, going vegetarian or vegan, trying to eat organic, or simply have an appetite for tofu, there are a number of eateries in the city to meet all of your dieting needs.
For low-carb eaters who are trying to hide from all things sugary, Whole Foods Market is a health nut’s paradise. Search high and low in this upscale food-mart, but you will not find a single package of Oreos or Doritos. Instead what you will find is a plethora of soy and whole-wheat products, fresh meat and vitamin-enriched foods, as well as all the healthy alternatives you could ever imagine.
There are two Whole Foods markets in Center City: 10th and South streets and 20th and Callowhill streets.
The famed Italian Market, located at Ninth and Washington streets in South Philadelphia, has been selling its authentic Italian specialties for years. Treat yourself to some gourmet Italian cheese at DiBruno’s Cheese while browsing through the display of fresh fruits and veggies at Michael Anastasio Produce. The Italian Market is an ideal spot to buy healthy foods, while appreciating this age-old Philly tradition and saving a few dollars.
The Reading Terminal Market on 10th and Filbert streets has a rich history in the city’s culinary tradition. It also offers an incredible amount of fresh food and vendors.
Nanee’s Kitchen features Indian and Pakistani dishes, and a large selection of vegetarian cooking. The Basic Four Vegetarian Snack Bar also serves vegetarian food, along with choices like tofu turkey, veggie burgers and herbal iced tea. Merchants at Reading Terminal also offer an assortment of fresh jams, juices, herbs, vitamins and teas. It is a smart place to do your grocery shopping, or to just sit down and enjoy a healthy meal.
If you are looking for a different kind of dining experience, check out Kind Café at 3rd and Fairmont streets in Northern Liberties. Their menu, which was carefully designed by a nutritionist, consists entirely of nutrient-rich raw foods to promote health and well-being.
The chefs at Kind Café use natural ingredients, including healthy proteins, whole grains and organic veggies.
The Kind also offers a cooking class every Wednesday. There, you can learn for yourself a few healthy lifestyle techniques and how to prepare energizing, raw foods.
The Cherry Street Chinese Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant on 1010 Cherry St. is a mouthful when it comes to its name and its menu alike. It’s favored by Kosher customers for its “mock meats,” soy substitutes and large selection of veggie dishes.
You can eat healthy and attend college at the same time. Living in Philadelphia grants you an endless selection of health-food markets and restaurants to help you stick to your diet and get healthier this year.
Gina Sicilia can be reached at gina123@temple.edu.
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