Healthy And Delicious Vegan Choices For You At Popular Chain Restaurants
As I said in a previous blog post on vegan dishes:
“More people are turning to having vegan diets, for several reasons:
• They incorporate whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains
• They are free from animal cruelty
• They help the environment
One of the biggest hurdles people have with trying vegan diets, seems to be they think they aren’t full of flavor, like having meat products. While this can be true with some items, there are many vegan dishes you can have that taste good, and are healthy and filling. I am currently following a vegetarian diet, which also includes dairy, but I mainly follow a vegan diet.”
Following, are some of my favorite delicious and healthy vegan dishes you can enjoy at popular restaurants. You just have to request the given changes to the menu items:
Note: while some vinaigrette dressings are vegan, many are not. Always ask a server. The only sure vegan dressings to have at a nonvegan restaurant are: olive oil and vinegar, with lemon juice, if you choose; and sesame dressing.
Chili's
Chipotle Bowl: request no meat, cheese, pesto sauce, ranch dressing, croutons, or crispies. Have a side of black beans (protein), add broccoli and/or mushrooms (optional), and add to bowl. Have vinaigrette dressing on the side.
Olive Garden
Unlimited Soup and Salad Combo: request no shredded cheese or croutons, have minestrone soup. Substitute olive oil and vinegar, with lemon juice, for the salad dressing, which is not vegan. Enjoy breadsticks.
BJ's Brewhouse
Brewhouse Bowl: request no feta cheese or greek yogurt dressing. Have balsamic vinaigrette dressing on the side.
Mi Cocina
Rico Salad: request no meat, cheese, croutons, or spicy bleu cheese dressing. Add grilled veggies. Have vinaigrette dressing on the side.
Dave and Buster's
Lightlife Burger: request no cheese. Have on, or substitute a salad, without cheese or croutons, for fries. Have vinaigrette dressing on the side.
Cheesecake Factory
Vegan Cobb Salad: already fully vegan.
Following, is a general vegan fallback option available at many restaurants, if they do not have what you are looking for:
Salad: request no meat, cheese, or croutons. Add grilled veggies. Have a side of black beans (protein) and brown rice (healthy carbs). Have vinaigrette dressing on the side.
Here are links for more vegan options at popular restaurants:
https://sharonpalmer.com/the-ultimate-vegan-chain-restaurant-guide/
https://www.peta.org/living/food/best-vegan-friendly-restaurants-for-nonvegan-family/
Enjoying vegan dishes at restaurants is much easier than it used to be, and there are choices available at most restaurants now. If you want, you can even browse a restaurant’s menu online, before going there, to see what options it has available. Bon Appetit!
Warning: Vegan food sources are naturally lacking in Vitamin B12, so it is essential to take a Vitamin B12 supplement, or use Vitamin B12 fortified foods and/or drinks, if you are following a strictly vegan diet, or you may incur serious bodily damage. Learn more, here.
You should consult with your doctor, before following any type of diet or health regimen, in order to take your specific health and nutritional needs into consideration.