It’s only recently that I’ve started to crave a more healthy lifestyle, and perhaps subconsciously it has coincided with an influx of great restaurants offering gluten, dairy free and vegan foods. Whatever it is, it’s working and if you’re in the capital why not stop at one of these rather than a sandwich on the go? You’ll feel a lot better for it.
1. Tanya’s Cafe, Chelsea
I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is one of the best lunches I’ve had in London, healthy or not. Everything is raw, plant-based and free from refined sugar and gluten. The juice list is insane and I had the nachos (£17.50) which they were worth every penny.
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| Tanya’s Cafe |
2. Wild Food Cafe, Covent Garden
Serving raw and vegan food, it’s really central and they claim to have the best raw veggie burger in town (£12.80). It’s one of Deliciously Ella’s favourites and it’s next on my list.
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| Wild Food Cafe |
3. Grain Store, King’s Cross
Amazing atmosphere and even more amazing food – just make sure you book ahead! They do a mean Bloody Mary with chilli infused vodka and the sprouting seeds and beans starter with miso aubergine, crispy citrus chicken skin and potato wafer is possibly the tastiest thing I’ve ever eaten. It changed me! The menus is vast and has a great key highlighting all the dairy, gluten, vegan options etc. Roughly £30 a head.
4. Little H, Parson’s Green
The sister restaurant of Hally’s, Little H is inspired by Californian sunshine and clean living. It’s small, so a great place to grab a juice (the Green Dream, £3.90, is a winner) or takeaway one of the chia seed and almond milk pots.
5. The Good Life Eatery, Chelsea
You know it’s good when people queue round the block to get in on the action. But it’s worth the wait. From superfood salads to avocado chilli on gluten-free toast £5.50, the only thing that’ll disappoint you would be if you don’t get a table.
6. The Detox Kitchen, Soho
Based on the concept of healthy packages delivered to your door, and already loved by celebs like Elle Macpherson and Gwyneth Paltrow, The Detox Kitchen also have great delis across London – with one just off Carnaby Street and a ‘grab and go’ range launched in Selfridges. With seasonal salads, the menu changes but it’s always delicious, with everything wheat, dairy and sugar free. The Detox Kitchen Bible cookbook is launching May 7th – join me in the pre-order!
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| Image from Instagram/TheDetoxKitchen |
7. Roots & Bulbs, Marylebone
Sarah Cadji, finding herself exhausted and ill after 10 years working in finance (sound familiar?), started researching food and was especially drawn to cold-pressed juices. Now famous for their cleansing and detox ‘Juice Plans’, this cafe also serves up great baked goods (banana bread to die for) and wholesome food.
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| Sarah Cadji’s ‘Pure: Juicing For Life’ book by Quadrille Publishing is available on Amazon here |
8. Mildred’s, Soho
One of my favourite places to meet friends after work – mainly because the food is delicious and you are guaranteed a good atmosphere. It’s a vegetarian restaurant with a lot of vegan options, too – the halloumi burger and sweet potato fries are worth the queue when it gets a bit busy!
Other ways I am (trying to be!) healthy:
- Trying WelleCo’s Super Elixir – it’s basically all your vitamins in one – add two teaspoons to a drink or smoothie to help fight fatigue and leave your skin glowing. It’s expensive but price per drink is cheaper than a coffee! And if it’s good enough for Elle Macpherson…
- Being enticed by Bonapeti – freshly prepared plant-based dishes delivered direct to your door. Main courses are around £9.50, you don’t have to sign up to a subscription, and there is no minimum charge.
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| Carrot salad with pumpkin seed dukkah, £4.95, Bonapeti |
- Switching to The Skinny Tea Co teas, using Matcha and anti-oxidant-rich oolong which means it’s super energising and speeds up the metabolism (without using laxatives) – they also come in delicious flavour such as ‘Ice Cream’. The-Frugality readers can get 20% using the code FRUGALITY20.
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| Skinny Tea Co |
- Buying gluten free ready meals via Amy’s Kitchen. Stocked in most large supermarkets, family-run business Amy’s kitchen specialises in organic ingredients and gluten free quick meals. If you simply don’t have time to whip up a home-made supper, these are great alternatives (gluten and dairy free rice macaroni cheese sounds right up my street).
- Making all of Delicously Ella’s recipes – our favourites are the cannelini bean stew and the kale and pomegranate salad.
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| Image via Deliciously Ella |
- Splurging on a LifeBoxFood for a treat – beat the sugary cravings with a box full of healthy nutritious superfood treats, delivered to your door. Great packaging, too.
- Logging onto my friend Anneli’s new health website Sustain The Glow – with recipes, fitness regimes and everything you need to know to glow from the inside out – add it to your Bookmarks now! (and not only because our company Lucky No 13 filmed their launch video!)
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| Sustain the Glow |
