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Healthy eats

Here’s your handy guide to the most wholesome options at some of the metro’s most popular restaurants. Trust us: This list will help you stick to your resolutions!

P.H.A.T. Pho’s Seafood Pho

In the grand tradition of hot noodle soups, pho is one of the healthiest. Still, the folks behind P.H.A.T. Pho give us an even lighter alternative by way of their seafood option. The broth is certain brininess lingering after every sip. Beneath the mound of bean sprouts and cilantro is a bounty of shrimp and squid. As always, a gentle squeeze of lime is all you need. Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; LG/F Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City

Yayoi’s Asari Sakamushi

It takes an unshakable sense of self-control to order this healthy dish instead of Yayoi’s remarkable teishoku offerings (how does one gloss over the katsu and cheesy curry sets?). Those who are motivated enough, however, will of fresh clams steamed in sake. The aroma alone will make your head spin. Order a side of rice to comfort knowing that this meal is much healthier than anything fried. 3/F SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City

The Girl + The Bull’s Mushrooms on Toast

A slice of bread has never tasted so good. The toast is a slice of crusty handcrafted sourdough by bread master Richie Manapat. It’s loaded with a variety of mushrooms, sour cream, ponzu, and a few sprigs of dill for an earthy yet bright bite. It’s an appetite-whetting small plate that won’t do damage to your diet! G-10 G/F The Grand Midori, Bolanos Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City Seafood Pho

ALL THE RIGHT STOPS

These tried-andtested restos make healthy eating simple and enjoyable.

GREEN PASTURES

Chef Robby Goco’s farm-to-table paradise allows you to guiltlessly indulge in your favorites like pasta, steak, fried chicken, and bacon. The chef takes it up a notch further, thanks to his healthy and clean approach when it comes to choosing non-GMO, organic ingredients. It’s comfort food made even better. 4/F Shangri-La East Wing, Mandaluyong City; 3/F Eastwood Mall, Quezon City; G/F NetPark Building, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

THE WHOLESOME TABLE

Owner Bianca Elizalde has a list of ingredients that are banned in her kitchen: GMOs, MSG, much all the things that are bad for you. The menu is extensive (proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring), and we give her power smoothies and bowls two thumbs up! Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City

Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Asari Sakamushi

Homemade Granola

The Bowery’s Homemade Granola

Chef Cuit Kaufman is a pastry chef by training, so decadence is natural in his cooking style. Still, the chef, who grew up with an enforced healthy lifestyle, knows how to keep things light. Mingling with his chocolate chip cookie cereal on the menu is a subtly sweet homemade granola. It may be overlooked by many, but it’s a satisfying dessert option. Bonus: It comes with fruit, too! F151 Forbeswood Heights, Rizal Drive corner Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Tilde’s Broccoli Pesto Pasta

When you’re watching your weight but craving for pasta, stay away from creamy and meaty sauces, and opt for pesto. Tilde changes up the tried-and-tested formula by using broccoli instead of the usual basil and malunggay. It’s a move that gives a fresh snap to a classic! G/F EWC Building, 5417 Tilde Street corner General Luna Street, Poblacion, Makati City

Kite Kebab Bar’s Tabouli

This Persian restaurant is all about pitas, kebabs, and buttered rice. As far as salads go, the tabouli is kernels folded with lemon, mint, and scallions. It gives out bursts of 5772 Ebro Street, Poblacion, Makati City

RUNNER’S KITCHEN

this small nook in Quezon City. The menu may be geared towards those with an active, healthy lifestyle (there’s a vegan breakfast for yoga practitioners, protein- and carb-heavy meals for runners, and black rice champorado for those watching their gluten intake), but it’s accessible even for a novice health buff. G/F Creekside Square, Tomas Morato Avenue, Kamuning, Quezon City

SUSI

Their menu is perfectly organized according to what patrons would like to avoid—gluten, dairy, soy, corn, nuts. The restaurant is strictly vegan, but that isn’t to say that the food is no fun. Mushrooms convincingly replace liver in the Faux Gras; beets make up for the absence of beef in the burger. Every dish delivers in both Bellagio 2, Forbes Town Center, Burgos Circle, Taguig City

HAPPY GARDEN CAFÉ

You probably didn’t expect anything this healthy from the folks at Bizu, but we welcome surprises—especially when they’re the delicious kind. Meat and pizza are on the menu, but there’s a particular emphasis on organic ingredients and sugar-free recipes. Owner Annabel Tanco had seniors in mind when she developed the roster of dishes, as a reminder that it’s never too late to go healthy. Sunshine Place, 56 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air, Makati City