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15 Best Healthy 'Fast Food' Spots in L.A.
Chinese Chicken Salad at Coral Tree Cafe (Lindsay William-Ross/LAist)
Chinese Chicken Salad at Coral Tree Cafe (Lindsay William-Ross/LAist)
Today is National Fast Food Day! Not to get all mom on you, but before you run out this afternoon and take Jack In the Box up on their free taco promo, (or get that Happy Meal while you can) consider making a healthier choice. While "fast food" often connotes "drive-thru," grease bomb, mega-chain craving satisfaction, there are some establishments who specialize in getting "good-for-you" food to you fast.
The Huffington Post put this piece together with their picks for the 15 best healthy "fast food" spots in Los Angeles. On their list? A number of LA and LAist favorites: Bibigo, Choppe Choppe, Coral Tree Cafe [LAist Story], Forage, Fresh Bites [LAist Story], Fresh East, Joan's On Third, Lemonade [LAist Story], Local, M Cafe [LAist Story], Rose Cafe, Saffron, Spitz, Tender Greens [LAist Story], Veggie Grill [LAist Story]
If you're talking purely fat and calories, it's actually pretty easy to go astray at some of these "healthy" spots, thanks to sugary dressings, fatty cheeses, and the ever-tempting dessert menu, so choosing wisely is more than half the battle. Mac and Cheese might be good for the soul, but the really good stuff isn't doing your arteries any favors!
While you can't drive through these places, you can get your meal to go, and you can support local restaurants who can tell you where their ingredients come from...and it's not a giant vat, frozen brick, or plastic bag. We know: Way to be a downer on Fast Food Day! Since for many of us, more than one day a year is Fast Food Day, well, this might be one "holiday" to rethink.
Back to the healthy spots in our city: What did our friends at the HuffPo leave off? Well, if you're still thinking fast food chain, and obvious miss is good ol' Subway sandwich. One pick we'd add or swap: Greenleaf Gourmet Chop Shop. What's your favorite "healthy" fast food?
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