Healthy Food Alternatives: From Smoothies to Shots!

Living and playing in the desert takes fuel. Even though you’re probably inclined to start your day with coffee, a Bloody Mary, a cheesy omelet and fried potatoes, followed by a burger with fries at lunch, and a Happy Hour of countless cocktails as only Palm Springs can serve up, there are plenty of healthy — and delicious — alternatives here in the Palm Springs Oasis to consider for your daily nutrition. We’re not suggesting you go all granola, but try replacing one meal per day with one of the items below for added fuel and — trust us on this — a better feeling overall.

Here are some nutrition-filled options and where in the desert you’ll find them.

Chi Chi at the Avalon Hotel
Talk about healthy alternatives. Seriously, this place has plenty of items that your body will love. Fermented yerba mate salad anyone? They also have a very comprehensive juice bar to complement their more traditional food and drink menu, so you can do it all here.

 

Fresh Juice Bar

There are two of these in Palm Springs, so you have no excuses! They offer a huge menu of juices, bowls, as well as lots of other healthy options. One is located downtown (La Plaza), so you can stop by for a fresh, organic, healthy lunch option while strolling Palm Canyon. The other is at Sunrise and Ramon. Yum!

Native Foods Café

Located in Smoke Tree Plaza on East Palm Canyon, this is a little place with a lot of choices. Yes, they're a chain, but what's wrong with that? Plus, they started in Palm Springs, so give them a try. Everything is vegetarian and delicious. A great alternative to a traditional burger and fries.

Palm Greens Café
If you want lots of veggies and smoothies under one roof, this proud deep fat fry-free zone is your place. The only problem we can identify is that there are so many combinations, you might have a tough time choosing. But that's a good problem to have! You can even get some food and a healthy shot. The shots come in 2- or 4-ounce sizes and are good for organs like your liver that might just need a healthy boost.

Juice It Up
Hello … it’s a raw juice bar, so naturally — pun intended — it’s healthy. There are a lot of juices, smoothies, bowls, and blends to choose from. Their online menu provides extensive nutritional information to help you make a healthy and delicious choice that's right for you.

 

World Gym
Of course, you work out regularly, right? If this is your gym, you're probably aware that they have a large smoothie bar right inside. Not your gym? Not a problem: You can still go in and get a delicious, protein-packed drink while sneaking in some yummy-for-the-eyes people watching. Go for it!

Genetics Nutrition
You can get your daily smoothie, juice, or shake fix here and add in any number of different supplements. (They have over 150!) In need of a little boost or some extra protein? They have you covered.

 

 

Nearly Every Eatery in the Palm Springs Oasis

Yes, this is California, a land where people are more conscious of their healthy-feeling and -looking bodies. But that's good news for you. Virtually every restaurant in the area that's worth their salt will have some sort of a healthier option, including Workshop Kitchen + Bar, Lulu, Cheeky's, King's Highway at Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Trio, and Morgan's in the Desert. That may mean brown rice instead of white rice, a protein-packed breakfast instead of Eggs Benedict, or maybe a juicy steak with a side steamed vegetables rather than french fries. Whatever the case may be, we're sure you can find it at one of the many fabulous restaurants serving it up in the desert.

Want still more options? There are always healthy grocery stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts that serve up a number of delicious on-the-go options. Try them and your body will definitely thank you.

To your health! Photos courtesy of the respective Facebook pages and websites.