5 Healthy Restaurants in Scottsdale

So, you have picked out the perfect workout gear and signed up for the hottest class going (insert yoga, Pilates or cross fit here) and you are well on your way to being a better, healthier version of you. What’s next? If everything we read on Pinterest is true, those rock hard abs you are in search of are first made in the kitchen. What we eat has a greater impact on weight loss than any amount of exercise that you can do. To make sure that you get the biggest return on your personal investment we have sussed out some healthy restaurants in Scottsdale that are serving up exciting, nutritious and nourishing dishes right in your own backyard.

5 of the Best Healthy Restaurants in Scottsdale

Freshbox
20831 N. Scottsdale Road|Scottsdale| 480.361.3577
Whoever tried to convince you that salad is boring has certainly never ventured into Freshbox. With 8 gourmet signature salads and a creative menagerie of build-your-own ingredients, it would be a serious challenge to create anything but a stellar salad here. You won’t find any fillers preservatives or hidden ingredients anywhere on their menu or in their kitchen (they pinky swear). Their Sumac Daddy is a unique and interesting combination of flavors and textures. This salad is made up of a base of organic romaine and golden quinoa layered with roasted turmeric cauliflower, shredded purple cabbage, organic cucumber, tomato, creamy feta cheese, pulled free-range chicken dusted with sumac powder lightly dressed with a tahini cucumber dressing. In addition to their original salad combinations, they also feature a variety of smoothies, fresh juice, and healthy snacks.

Grabbagreen
15689 N. Hayden Road| Scottsdale| 480.991.9901
Healthy, fresh and fast; all things you’ll find in abundance at Grabbagreen. You won’t find anything here on the menu that’s not good for you. From grains to green, smoothies to juices and a little bit of everything in between you’ll find all are chock full of fresh, beneficial and nourishing ingredients. So, what happens if you have a craving for pasta but want to stay away from heavy carbs? Grabbagreen’s Indochin from the Grabba Grain menu will prove to be the perfect option to quell your craving. The dish is made up of a base of quinoa noodles topped with chicken, cucumber, bean sprouts, carrot, green onion, cilantro and tossed with a spicy almond dressing. The variations of textures and strong flavors marry perfectly and provide a private party for your palate that will also help to nourish your body without compromising your nutritional goals.

Hiro Sushi
9393 N. 90^th St.| Scottsdale| 480.314.4215
Appearances are a tricky thing, but if mom taught us anything it’s to never judge a book by its cover. Hiro Sushi is located in an unassuming location, one in which you might easily pass right by not realizing the delight that awaits beyond its doors. This quaint dining room is serving up big flavors and freshness along with welcoming staff and great prices. Sashimi (raw sliced fish without rice) is always a great sushi option if you are looking for healthiest choice and freshness is key when choosing sashimi. Sashimi is packed with nutrients and protein but not calories so it is a great choice. Hiro’s sashimi menu features white fish, albacore, salmon, tuna, octopus and more along with the option of a complete assortment (highly recommended). Plenty of options to quickly feed your body and your mind!

Kitchen18
10211 N. Scottsdale Road| Scottsdale| 480.284.6001
Weekday lunches can be rife with temptation, whether you are in an office where food is always being brought in or if you are constantly on the go and hear the quiet call of the closest drive through. Making your lunch ahead of time always sounds like a great idea but it can be hard to put into practice. The Kitchen18 has you covered and they are whipping up lunches every day just like you would make at home. All the dishes here are certified Kosher and contain all natural ingredients free of preservatives and things you can’t pronounce. Their Shawarma lunch is a combination of turkey and lamb served with hummus, salad and tahini, and one of their most popular dishes. The turkey and lamb are juicy and the brightness of the creamy hummus are so rich and decadent that you will feel like you’re cheating.

MAD Greens – Eat Better
14418 N. Scottsdale Road| Scottsdale| 602.283.3806
MAD Greens is all about fine dining fast and they are serving up huge, filling portions packed full of nutritious ingredients all to your specifications depending on your tastes. Sourcing their ingredients from local farms (Duncan Family Farms and Abby Lee Farms) along with items from their own farm their chef has created a bevy nutritious options to eat in or take on the go. All of their menu items have fun historical names. Give their Edgar Allen Poe a try; a generous portion of baby greens, grilled marinated steak, apples, pears, walnuts, blue cheese dressed with a port wine vinaigrette. At only 377 calories per serving and with 12 grams of protein it’s sure to give you the energy you need to get through your next workout.

Do you have any favorite healthy restaurants in Scottsdale? Let us know about them so we can check them out!

This article originally appeared in the September 2015 issue of So Scottsdale Magazine.