5 Ways to Eat Healthy in Astoria

Now that the holidays are over, so are the indulgent meals.  Lots of people (including me!) are trying to eat lighter and healthier to get rid of those extra holiday layers.  Here are five suggestions to help you out, whether if you're eating out or staying in.  Enjoy them and as always, chime in with your tips.

Fresh, fulfilling salads - Although 30th Avenue isn't known for complicated cuisine, it has great staples such as Grand Cafe, Avenue Cafe and Pinocchio, which boast yummy fresh salads.  I particularly enjoy Avenue's tabouleh salad with tomatoes and grilled pita bread (pictured above) - it's fresh, juicy and healthful. 

Grand Cafe - 37-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.7321. 
Avenue Cafe - 35-27 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.278.6967
Pinocchio Palace - 32-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.932.4976

Savory, organic brunch - Sage General Store is my go-to place for quality food, especially brunch.  Their dishes always fill me up but never leave me over-stuffed.  I love that Sage's ingredients are organic, natural and locally sourced.  I recommend the ranchero buritto with scrambled eggs, caramelized onions, ham, tomatoes and cheese, with a side of mesculin salad.  Since this dish is large in portion, I'd eat half and take the rest home.

Sage General Store - 24-20 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City.  718.361.0707

Sushi with flava - Although I'm not a big sushi lover, I really enjoy Watawa on Ditmars and think it's a fantastic place to have a light meal.  Everything is wonderful and the portions are normal - not unncessarily oversized.  Try the soups, sushi or even their Japanese entrees such as the chicken or tofu teriyaki for you veggies.

Watawa - 33-10 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.545.9596 

Cook a healthy meal at home - Astoria offers tons of eclectic food markets with fresh, healthy and inexpensive ingredients.  One of my produce favorites is the United Brothers Fruit market on 30th Avenue, where you can buy a full basket of various seasonal fruits and veggies for under $10--and I mean A LOT of stuff!  I particularly like their selection of fresh herbs.  

For fish, I hit up the Astoria Fishery Co on the corner of 31st Street and 23rd Avenue--prices are competitive and the quality of the fish is impressive. 

If I'm looking for ethnic ingredients such as Mediterranean foods, I like Titan Foods on 31st Street near Astoria Blvd.  Greek yogurt comes in many varieties, as well as phyllo dough, which you can get for under $4 per package.

United Brothers Fruit - 32-24 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.728.7011

Astoria Fishery Co - 22-78 31st Street, Astoria.  718.726.6390

Titan Foods - 25-56 31st Street, Astoria.  718.626.7771

Farm-to-table good-for-you food - Vesta is a personal favorite of mine, their ingredients coming from a nearby rooftop farm.  The food is delicious, interesting and very conducive to healthy eating.  My recommendations include a whole wheat thin crust pizza and any veggie dish such as a fresh salad of the day or the crispy brussel sprouts.

Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550