Jan 20, 2022

The Woodbridge area offers plenty of great things to do. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s handy to know where to go for a convenient meal. We’ve rounded up a diverse selection of restaurants that avoid the greasy, fatty fare and keep things healthier for you. Try these options when you want a nutritious dining experience.

CAVA Table

CAVA Table (14901 Potomac Town Pl, Ste 100, Woodbridge) specializes in Mediterranean bowls that feature a healthy protein and an abundance of produce. The Spicy Lamb Moroccan bowl proves that good-for-you food can still be flavorful with its combination of spicy lamb meatballs, splendid greens, spinach, celery, dates, nuts, roasted corn, and balsamic dressing. The Salmon Avocado Caesar bowl gives this classic salad an intriguing twist with avocado, arugula, marinated cabbage, pickled sumac onions, and Aleppo pepper breadcrumbs to complement the romaine, roasted salmon, and tahini Caesar dressing.

CAVA Table also lets you build your own bowl with your choice of protein, base, dip, toppings, and dressing. You won’t find soda at this establishment. Instead, the drink menu includes a selection of juices like sparkling strawberry, cucumber mint, and blueberry lavender.

Taste of Tandoor

You’ll find a wide selection of authentic Indian cuisine at Taste of Tandoor (13836 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge). Traditional Indian food is known for being extremely healthy thanks to the abundance of antioxidant-rich chili peppers, anti-inflammatory turmeric, whole grains, and plant-based entrees. Taste of Tandoor offers an extensive vegetarian menu that’s packed with produce like fresh hand-pulled cauliflower, spinach, peppers, and tomatoes. 

If you prefer animal proteins, you’ll find plenty of chicken, shrimp, and lamb dishes on the menu as well. Most are prepared in a curry sauce. Packed with spices, curry is known to contain powerful antioxidants. It may also help prevent heart disease and cancer, reduce inflammation, improve brain health, and lower blood sugar levels. You won’t have to have any guilt about feasting at this restaurant.

Trummer’s

The creative menu at Trummer’s (7134 Main Street, Clifton) highlights locally sourced seasonal produce, fresh seafood, and local pork. The dishes are inspired by Virginia’s surrounding agricultural community, so you’ll get a distinctive flavor that speaks uniquely of home. Reservations are recommended to ensure that you can get a table.

The menu changes regularly to take advantage of the freshest ingredients each day, which means that you’re more likely to get produce that’s at its peak and high in nutrients. You can expect to find gourmet options such as pan-roasted rockfish with French lentils or seared sea scallops with cipollini onion, winter radish, and Thumbelina carrots.

Natural Cafe

Natural Cafe (850 N Randolph Street, #119, Arlington) focuses on fresh foods that are made from scratch so you can avoid unhealthy additives and preservatives. The cafe serves Boar’s Head products that are free from trans fats, fillers, and artificial colors. The menu includes a selection of salads, sandwiches, and smoothies.

You’ll find all your favorite classics here like the Reuben, BLT, or chicken parmesan sandwiches. Natural Cafe also offers several specialty sandwiches like the Gouda Gobblers with smoked turkey, smoked gouda, spinach, red onion, and roasted red pepper on multigrain bread. Finish off your meal with a hearty serving of fruit in smoothie form. The mid-day energizer is sure to get you through the lunchtime slump with vitamin-rich mango, banana, and pineapple blended with non-fat yogurt and honey.

Saran Indian Vegetarian Cafe

Saran Cafe (7708-C Backlick Road Newington Center South, Springfield) is another outstanding destination for Indian food. The menu here is vegan and vegetarian, so it’s easy to accommodate special diets. Many of the dishes here highlight chickpeas, which are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Try the chickpea curries, chaat topped with chickpeas, or paneer pakora that’s made with chickpea flour.

You’ll also find an abundance of entrees that feature fresh vegetables, spinach, onion, tomatoes, green peas, fresh pumpkin, roasted eggplant, and fresh jack fruit. Lentils form a popular base for these meat-free dishes, providing plenty of fiber, potassium, and folate, while the spices and curries will give your metabolism a boost.

The Secret Garden Cafe

Featuring made-from-scratch delicacies, the Secret Garden Cafe (404 Mill Street, Occoquan) offers a variety of healthy options. Unlike many restaurants which only serve iceberg lettuce in their salads, The Secret Garden Cafe always uses mixed greens that offer more nutrients. The entrees include hand-cut ribeye, chicken breast, jumbo tiger shrimp, and fresh Atlantic salmon. Sauteed vegetables are a common side, ensuring that diners get a well-balanced meal.

The Secret Garden Cafe offers a full menu of vegetarian options like the cold noodle salad with ginger-soy vinaigrette or veggie grit cake with peppers, onions, zucchini, and corn salsa in a Cajun cream sauce. Many items are gluten-free as well, such as the sumac spiced Mediterranean chicken and goat cheese and spiced pecan salad. Diners can find something to cater to nearly any diet.

Sushi Jin Next Door

Sushi is well-known for offering a wide range of health benefits. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids that lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and the risk of heart disease. The fish featured in most sushi dishes is a healthy source of protein and a popular brain food. High in vitamin B12, fish may even help to battle depression. Seaweed is a nutrient-packed ingredient as well, delivering iodine and tyrosine to support thyroid function, along with a wealth of vitamins and antioxidants.

Sushi Jin (14901 Potomac Town Place, Suite 135, Woodbridge) offers a wide variety of sushi rolls. One of the most popular is the Russian Roulette. This California roll features six pieces, one of which is cleverly loaded with a wasabi bullet to add some extra excitement to the meal. Another bestseller is the Magic Hamachi made with yellowtail, asparagus, tamago, scallion, and jalapeno with torched hamachi on top.

These restaurants make it easy to fuel up in a way your body will appreciate. Get out and check out these delicious healthy dining spots.

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