By Nanette Wiser
Exercising and eating well is the best strategy for longevity. Get beyond weight-loss, keto, fat-burning, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free diets, paying attention to your gut and avoiding foods that cause inflammation and allergies. Today, most restaurants offer something healthy on their menu, and many are committed to farm-to-table and organic, sustainable dishes and drinks.
Local farmers markets, Publix Greenwise, Fresh Market, Sprouts, Nature’s Food Patch, Rolling Oats, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods can help you enhance your healthy home cooking. You can hire a chef to prep meals in advance or take a cooking class. We love a good avocado toast at home, but it’s also fun to sample local restos and taste test the healthy options on their menus. Here are some of our faves from downtown St. Pete DTSP, the beaches and more.
Brick Farms Onsite farmers market, the monthly 1st Sat. Market and hydroponic, indoor city farm that grows leafy greens and herbs year-round in highly technology based, climate controlled environments, I’m craving their micro sorrel greens, bodacious herbs and collection of artisan tinned fish. DTSP
Craft Kafé Gluten-free baked goods, organic salads and wraps, pungent java, herbalicous teas and Ed’s vegan burger is amazing. I get the chicken avocado cream salad or sandwich with homemade vegan soup for my happy meal. West St. Pete, DTSP
Açai Bowl at Fresca Vida 
Breakfast Sandwich at Craft Kafé
Fresca Vida The best organic, gluten free and vegan options, house made sandwiches, salads, fresh acai bowls, locally sourced coffee, juices, made to order smoothies, with a charming patio. Clearwater-Largo Rd.
Fresh Kitchen 100% gluten-free. Build your own bowl with hormone & antibiotic free grilled meats and roasted vegetables. House made cold-pressed juices, healthy treats. St. Petersburg
Fresh Factory Order picnics or wellness juice packages (Green Monster!) – pressed fresh every Tuesday and Friday – as well as salads, toasts, quinoa or acai bowls and smoothies, delivered to most of Pinellas County. St. Pete Beach
Freya’s Diner Enjoy the Freya’s Crispy Chickpea Bowl with cauliflower, onion and broccoli sprouts tossed in lemon tahini sauce. DTSP
Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli Hippie haven, especially for the tofu tacos, vegan birria nachos, tempeh Reuben sandwich, Snickers-inspired cheesecake and kombucha. Gulfport
Grain & Berry Tasty eclectic bowls (Organic Granola, Kiwi, Banana, Blueberries, Honey and Chia Seeds), flatbreads (pesto or fig), quesadillas, avo toasts, fresh juices and smoothies. North St. Petersburg
House of Vegano Vegan sushi, ramen and poke bowls located in the Warehouse District’s Body Electric space. DTSP
Kara Lynn’s Kitchen Dine in or take home, extraordinary cooking focusing on Paleo and Auto Immune diet foods, (Keto options) made with organic fruits and veggies Downtown Clearwater
Love Food Central Vegan and gluten free comfort food, tasty fruit dishes (jackfruit, dragon fruit) and especially the toasted millet bagel, topped with cashew cream cheese and seasoned with nutritional yeast, truffle oil, Himalayan salt and ground pepper. DTSP
The Mill Sensational seasonal dishes, from the watermelon bruschetta to the roasted exotic mushroom sundried tomato salad followed by the grilled Argentinian red shrimp with champagne mint vinaigrette. DTSP
Mickey’s Café & Organics Organic salads, wraps, soups, vegetarian/vegan & gluten-free options, fresh squeezed juices.
Naked Farmer New American restaurant serving the freshest, most seasonal, and locally sourced food. We adore the Faroe Island Salmon, charred broccoli with Lemon, brown rice, avocado with EVOO and Maldon Sea Salt, Cider Vinaigrette (un)dressing. DTSP
Naked Farmer Bowls 
STILL HUNGRY? Check out Green Market Café’s souvlaki wrap, Mio’s Grill & Café’s Mediterranean dishes (dolmades), Twisted Indian’s Bollywood Bowls, Karma Juice Bar & Eatery’s wheatgrass shows and acai bowls, vegan and gluten-free HaleLife Bakery’s mudslide cupcake, Small Batch Creamery’s handcrafted Plant City strawberry ice cream and vegan flavors and Valhalla Bakery’s egg and dairy-free, vegan approved desserts.
