Our clients bust their asses in the gym. There’s no doubt about that. But as we all should know, you can’t out-train a bad diet. Packed schedules, bacheloresque cooking skills, and a plethora of other excuses block us from healthy eating. So we’ve done the footwork for you and put together a list of our favorite healthy, and delicious local places to eat in Wichita. Enjoy!

1.Tanya’s Soup Kitchen

 

Tanya’s uses as many fresh and locally sourced ingredients as possible. They have daily specials to keep their menu interesting, as well as lots of gluten free, vegetarian/vegan options. Even on a busy day, you can have nutritious food in your face in about 10 to 20 minutes, for about $8-$12. They also have an awesome enclosed patio, a charming staff of happy, soup slinging hipsters, and handmade furniture, masterfully made from repurposed wood. If that doesn’t get you in, I don’t know what will! The only down side is that their limited hours: 11:00 a.m  to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. So mark these times on your calendar and go drown your cold weather blues in some hot tomato bisque!

Address: 1725 E Douglas Ave. Wichita, KS 67211

 tanyas

2.Lotus Leaf

 

From the (humanely raised) horse’s mouth:

“All our food is proudly handmade in house using natural and organic, non GMO ingredients, hormone and antibiotic free poultry, and sustainable fish. We feature healthy meals free of artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors, preservatives, and hydrogenated fats.”

I’m pretty sure just walking into Lotus Leaf makes you a healthier person. You might get some funny looks if you’re not wearing Birkenstocks and driving a Subaru station wagon but just consider that is part of the experience (heheh, just kidding of course)! Jokes aside, I think you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant more committed to health than Lotus Leaf. A lot of places add healthy options as an afterthought, but to the Lotus Leaf crew, health is their primary focus. It has the word “Leaf” in the name, for F’s sake. What more do you want?

$ Range: Yelp prices Lotus Leaf’s entrees anywhere from $11-$30.

Hours: Mon – Sat 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sun 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Address: 251 N Washington St. Wichita, KS 67202

 https://scontent.fmci1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10245336_665991526792718_3925841681369814490_n.jpg?oh=6f23bfc75c9ea3f18bea291bf137d3e0&oe=588AB878

3.Songbird Juice Co.

 

A little bird (in a fedora) told me:

Songbird Juice Co. is “Wichita’s Original Cold-Pressed Juicery offering fresh juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and more made with mindfully sourced, clean ingredients.”

Smoothie King is fine, but I do get tired of feeling like I’m sucking down a ground up vitamin stack mixed with six pounds of artificial sweetener and non-descript factory-born goop. Not that Smoothie King doesn’t have its place, but if you want something closer to real food, Songbird Juice Co. delivers in spades. The menu is never boring: You can get your protein and your micro-nutrients directly from the fresh ingredients (as opposed to from powders), plus their charming location right next to Riverside Park is always fun to visit. Grab a PB&J Smoothie and go climb a tree or something. Oh! And they have a food truck! So even if you’re not close to Riverside, there’s a good chance they’re not far off. Check out Songbird Juice Co.’s Facebook page to see when and where they might be set up next.

$ Range: $3 – $8

Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sat and Sun, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Address: 1142 N Bitting Ave. Wichita, KS 67203

 15051952_1598446823783556_1496465082_o

4.Todd Brian’s

 

This place does serve alcohol and several dishes that I wouldn’t recommend if you’re trying lose weight, BUT HEAR ME OUT: I wanted to include a place that’s open late since that’s a big issue for people who get off work, hit the gym, and don’t eat until 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. Then they feel like they have to choose between starving to death and whatever alien-paste concoction comes in those greasy paper bags from Taco Bell. Enter Todd Brian’s. They’re open until 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. About half of their extensive menu is dedicated to healthier dishes with a variety of organic and gluten free options for those who need or prefer them. 

$ Range: $9 – $25

Address: 315 N Mead St. Wichita, KS 67202

5.Beautiful Day Café

This place literally has a greenhouse right outside their restaurant. They’re hard core. They focus on farm-to-table cooking with as many fresh, locally sourced ingredients as possible. It’s also another great place for those looking for gluten free, vegan or vegetarian options, low glycemic dishes, and more. Not to mention that freshly picked vegetables do taste better than ones that sit in a shipping container for three weeks before arriving at the grocery store. Go figure.

$ Range: $7 – $12

Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m.a – 2:30 p.m., Sun 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Address: 2516 E Central Ave Wichita

 https://scontent.fmci1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14947638_1165618276825589_5616879719867381057_n.jpg?oh=d1e8452420e9cf4872acefc096bd54bf&oe=588F56F9

6.Paleteria Tropicana

You can definitely mess up at this place too, but they do have a ton of delicious smoothies, fruit salads and other fruit-based desert options, perfect for those times when your sweet tooth is really kicking your butt. Plus, the staff will probably call your number in Spanish, so it’s a little opportunity for you to not be an idiot and make sure you know how to count in Español!

$ Range: $2 – $6

Hours: These fools are open 9:00 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week!

Address: 2021 N Amidon, Ave, Suite 115 Wichita, Kansas

https://scontent.fmci1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14067515_1046337502087888_7612085222214945656_n.png?oh=d71df05722bbab43ad7774aadd67829f&oe=58D24B22

Non-Local honorable mention: Chipotle, Panera, Smoothie King, Doc Greens

Scavenger Hunt!

In honor of Small Business Saturday and as an effort to encourage healthy eating habits, as well as patronage to our local comrades in health, we’re hosting a local restaurant scavenger hunt.

Here are the rules:

1. Go to a restaurant on the list.
2. Take a picture of whatever you ordered.
3. Post it on Facebook and tag “@ForgeFitnessStudio”, so we know you actually went there and ordered something healthy. No fried catfish.
4. Repeat for all 6 restaurants.

-The first four people to do all six restaurants will get $45.00 in gift cards to these restaurants. Do the math, THAT’S AN AWESOME DEAL.
-Four runners-up will get $10.00 in gift cards each. Anyone else who participates will get a free pat on the back from myself (or trainer of your choice) and maybe a protein bar or something. Yeah, I’ll throw in a protein bar.

DATES: This starts 11/25/2016, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and is valid until December 15th. If you guys like it we will do more in the future and with bigger prizes! So plan your Black Friday accordingly and don’t be a fat ass!

-Miles