6 Tips for Health Conscious Dining
By: Shoshanna Levy
Published: May 4, 2011

1. Avoid chain restaurants- These eateries typically serve highly processed, genetically modified, and additive-laden food.
2. Sushi- Do they serve brown rice instead of white? Go for the rolls that have less rice and more fish. For gluten free diners, San-Jay  soy sauce, now makes individual gluten free tamari packets, so you can still enjoy your favorite sushi spot. As delicious as it is, avoid tuna it's loaded with mercury. Ideally, choose places that serve sustainable and low mercury fish.
3. Mexican- Do they use organic corn tortillas? If not, then they are likely made with GMO corn. Do they serve greens beyond iceberg lettuce? Is the cheese and sour cream for hormone and chemical free milk?
4. Steak House- Do they serve grass-fed or at least antibiotic free meats? Are there sides offered made with fresh veggies including leafy greens?
5. Italian- Order seafood and veggies or meat and chicken if they serve the organic variety. If you do go for the cheese, make sure it's made with chemical-free milk.
6. Asian (Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese)- Do they use MSG in any form? What kind of oils do they use? Avoid canola and soy as they are typically generically modified. Is there a brown rice option? Avoid deep fried anything, go for the grilled or steamed options.
SOUL (seasonal, organic, unrefined, local)- There are more and more SOUL food restaurants popping up every day. No matter the theme, these are the optimal places to eat out. These places typically serve organic food, filtered water, and are more open to catering to people with food allergies. photos: sho