Eat More Healthy Foods

Healthy restaurant options in Southwest Gwinnett

Words by Patrizia Winsper

Two months into the new year and we’ve probably already fallen short of the fitness goals we set for ourselves. It can be depressing and downright demotivating.

A bright spot in my findings on health and fitness is the 80/20 rule. What we eat is responsible for at least 80% of our overall health and well-being, the other 20% is how much we exercise. If what we eat has such a huge impact on our weight and body mass index, it definite- ly warrants first priority on anyone’s wellness journey.

Cooking at home is the best way to guarantee you’re eating well but it can be time consuming, so I set out to find some healthy places to eat in Southwest Gwinnett.

Clean Eatz

What exactly does “eating clean” mean? Clean, unprocessed foods are those left closest to their natural state. They’re richer in nutrients because they’re derived directly from the earth. Eating clean nourishes the body with vitamin and mineral-dense foods.

If eating clean seems like a headache, allow Clean Eatz, at 3975 Holcomb Bridge Road, to do all the work.

Owner Nancy Glass is determined to help people along their journeys to better health. Besides providing customized meal plans and properly portioned “grab ’n go” options for the past two years, she also hosts fun and informative health fairs, giveaways and pop-up events.

“We don’t take anything away that you’d normally eat, we just give you healthier and better portioned ingredients,” Glass said. “Some people don’t know where to begin. We get to know each customer to learn about their nutritional needs.

“At Clean Eatz you’ll receive guidance and fine-tuning. We customize meals on a regular basis, from the allergens you’re avoiding down to the macros and calorie count you need,” Glass explained.

Roses are red, violets are blue. Clean eating is healthy and delicious too!

I attended the Valentine’s Day dinner, an event with local Chef Jesse Kauffman — think Clean Eatz meets fine dining.

Patrons enjoyed a caprese appetizer, butternut squash coconut soup, a choice of three entrees — filet Oscar, salmon risotto or brisket penne marsala — and a French apple tart dessert, proving that healthy meals do not have to be bland, nor should they leave you wanting.

High performance fuel that doesn’t break the bank

Whether playing sports, studying, holding down physically demanding or corporate jobs, balancing the stresses of parenting and everyday life, we’re all athletes who need to be properly fueled to perform at our best.

The Clean Eatz price point is such that anyone who frequents drive-throughs can experience what clean food does for your body, for the same price or less.

“It’s more economical than weekly groceries. With prices as low as $6.52 per meal, you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner — 21 meals — for $137. Plus, you don’t have to go grocery shopping or cook. Just place your order and come pick it up,” Glass said.

Microwavable containers mean meals are ready in minutes. There are no subscriptions; you can order as much or as little as you like. When you pick up your meal plans at the restaurant, they’re fresh and can either be refrigerated for the week or frozen.

What are some Clean Eatz?

Whether you’re craving smoothies, sandwiches, flatbreads, bowls, wraps, salads or melts, Clean Eatz has something for you. You can dine in the café or take your meal to go.

Delicious selections that don’t make you feel like you’re depriving yourself abound, like the BBQ lasagna with diced chicken and a drizzle of Monterey cheese, or the chicken and sweet potato dinner, or the steak queso melt.

Drinks include seasonal teas and infused water, and smoothies can be made with vegan or regular protein. The caffeinated Mocha Mudslide is a favorite.

We Change Livez Challenge

To be eligible to win three months’ worth of meals from the café, or a grand national prize of $25,000 plus a year’s worth of meals, consider participating in the “We Change Livez Challenge” by registering online at cleaneatz. com.

It runs from through March 31st. Winners will be announced in April.

Latin Fresh

Stradling the border of Norcross and Peachtree Corners, at 4941 South Old Peachtree Road, is Latin Fresh, a health-driven, family-operated restaurant serving up Latin American cuisine and showcasing flavors from among 33 countries.

Cordon Bleu-trained Chef David Aaron began this venture almost a year ago with his wife and their respective families. They’ve all worked tirelessly to bring his vision to life: nat- ural, locally sourced or farm-to-table ingredients in what Aaron calls, “Latin soul food.” It’s a newer restaurant, still forging relationships with local vendors, but Aaron isn’t new to the restaurant scene. He has consulted and helped open over 40 different food and beverage operations. Aaron and a partner own three bars and restaurants in Bogota, Columbia with some 100 employees.

“Sustainability is our philosophy, so the food has to be the same. I try to keep a conscious mind about what we’re doing to the world,” Aaron said.

Explore the many tastes of Latin America

Latin American cuisine encompasses food from many diverse regions. This is reflected in their lunch and dinner offerings of “build your own” bowls, wraps and tacos, all priced at $13. On a base of brown rice, white rice or Gallo pinto (Costa Rican black beans and rice), customers can add proteins like Cuban pulled pork, Argentinian beef stew with sweet potatoes, potatoes, apricots and corn, Venezuelan pulled beef, Peruvian roasted chicken, Columbian style chicken, Brazilian fish stew and chickpea stew.

Toppings include avocado, lettuce, garbanzo beans, corn, carrots, cauliflower, cheese, Caribbean spicy pineapple and diced tomatoes.

Top off the meal with a choice of sauces: Cilantro Aioli, Jerk Caribbean, Suero (sour cream), or Aji (spicy).

Try exotic juices made in-house from pure imported pulps, not syrups. Desserts include Cuban Tres Leches and Venezuelan Quesillo, which is like a flan.

“Everything is made from scratch. We don’t use anything canned or frozen. This is how Latinos eat: Mom goes to the farmer’s market to get fresh ingredients and cooks the food she picked up that day. Everything is fresh and very natural,” Aaron explained.

Treat your friends and colleagues to healthy

Latin Fresh can provide drop off or full-service catering at homes and businesses for two to 1,000 people. The restaurant can also be reserved for private events.

“People are looking for healthy options that don’t sacrifice taste. Healthy is natural. It should touch your heart and soul knowing that you’re doing good,” Aaron said.

Loving Hut

For those beginning a vegan journey, Loving Hut at 6385 Spalding Drive, Suite E, has been offering vegan versions of Pan-Asian favorites since 2009.

Employee Zen J. Jackson has turned to plantbased eating. He’s been a customer longer than he’s worked at Loving Hut, and took some time to describe their dishes to me.