Healthy Dining Options in Traverse City

It can be hard to stay on a healthy eating plan when you know you’ll be dining out. If you’re like me you walk in the door with the intention of ordering a salad only to be tempted by the creamy pasta, fried fish or cheesy pizza. Lucky for us Traverse city is bursting with restaurants whose primary focus is on providing healthy food options. We put together a list of 7 local places where you can eat out and still eat healthy. Whether you’re looking for a wholesome place to dine-in or nutritious options to carry-out, you’ll feel good about your choices here.

Third Coast Bakery

If your day begins with a trip to the coffee shop, try stopping at Third Coast Bakery. They offer a wide selection of coffee, tea, and other specialty blends that pair perfectly with their baked goods. As a gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan bakery these bakers have the talent of making something taste as good as it looks while still being healthy. Look for their tasty treats in the bakery section of local stores like Oleson’s as well.

Grand Traverse Salad Company

Need to grab lunch on the run? Grand Traverse Salad Company who just opened this past June in a perfect grab-and-go location at the corner of Cass and South Airport. Don’t let the name fool you, they have more than just salads. With over 40 salad toppings or sandwich stuffings, soups, smoothies, and more, they have something green for everyone in between. 

Press on Juice

Juices are a convenient and popular way to get the nutrition we need. Press on Juice is known for just that. Here they have juice, juice, and more juice. But it may surprise you to learn they also have tacos, burgers, and other raw foods that are both delicious and nutritious. 

FYT

Dining out is always fun, but what about quick and easy pick-up or hand-delivered meal prep? FYT or Fuel Your Tomorrow, located in The Village at Grand Traverse is a meal prep service and a grab-and-go retailer. They offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert options that taste good to you and are good for you. After just a few bites I fell in love with their summer rolls with peanut sauce. A perfect package to bring back to the office for lunch.

Oryana

In Traverse City we are spoiled with 2 in 1’s–a market and deli all in one. Oryana is one of those magical places. Here you can shop for local, bright, and organic groceries or consume them off the ‘menu of the day’ in their cafe. Help yourself to the hot bar, with rotating dishes where you pay by the weight. Choose from a variety of soups or have a sandwich made to order.

Edson Farms

Edson Farms is another local stop-and-shop or sit-and-sip. Thanks to their expansion there’s plenty of room to place your order in the deli and enjoy a meal on-site. Try a wrap or pressed sandwich, and bring your appetite; they’re huge! Their smoothies and juices are made to order. From bulk foods to vitamins Edson Farms provides a variety of products that cater to customers with special dietary needs. And I can’t leave the store without a bag of fresh popcorn for $0.25. 

Lucky’s Market

Last but not least, Traverse City is home to a Lucky’s Market. Here you can grab groceries to make a meal or look for their prepared foods section to pick-up something to go. Build a salad, select some sushi, or grab a meal for two right out of the case. 

There you have it: 7 healthy eating spots for 7 days of the week, or for whenever you are in the mood for good food. Cheers to all the healthy options so near, and to the farms that grow right here.