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Max's Wine Bar, Kitchen 17, Unite Urban Grill, Anteprima, Beatrix, Cafe Orchid, Bombay Spice Grill, Winchester, Urban Vegan
Max's Wine Bar, Kitchen 17, Unite Urban Grill, Anteprima, Beatrix, Cafe Orchid, Bombay Spice Grill, Winchester, Urban Vegan

15 Spots To Help You Eat Healthy and Reduce Meat Intake

Looking for a little help keeping healthier in 2015? Check out this list.

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Max's Wine Bar, Kitchen 17, Unite Urban Grill, Anteprima, Beatrix, Cafe Orchid, Bombay Spice Grill, Winchester, Urban Vegan

Don't want to defeat your ambitious healthy resolutions but still want to go out for delicious eats in the New Year and beyond? A popular resolution is reducing meat intake, and this list is here to help. Here's 15 healthy options including familiar lunch spots, hidden gems and even a few vegan spots. If you can't go cold turkey, don't worry there's a few that offer healthy meaty options for your moments of vulnerability. So put those stretch pants back in the drawer and head out for some guiltless grub.

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Anteprima

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An abundance of shareable vegetable dishes make Andersonville’s Anteprima a great option for dining without guilt. The farro with broccoli and citrus zest, roasted rosemary carrots and the cannellini beans are solid choices to keep your waistline intact.

Beatrix

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Beatrix is a stand out for Lettuce Entertain You, featuring nutritious dishes, drinks and sides that won’t bust your diet. Try the three-grain arugula salad with chicken; a side of roasted beets with pistachio pesto and a cherry chia punch for a balanced feel-good meal.

Blaze Pizza

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Pizza can be healthy if you choose the right ingredients. First choose a base of olive oil or marinara, add loads of veggies and top with vegan cheese. Three minutes later you have a light and healthy fire-roasted pie and fulfill your daily serving of greens.

Bombay Spice Grill | Streeterville

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The fast-casual Indian in Streeterville take a Chipotle approach where you can build your own nutrient-dense bowl or wrap with loads of veggies and lean proteins. All menu items are prepared with olive oil instead of ghee.

Burrito Beach

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Traveling doesn't mean the end of your diet. Try some fast-casual Mexican fare with locations in The Loop and Terminal 3 at O’Hare. Order the vegetable quinoa chili for a high-fiber, heart-healthy meal. Don't skip the guacamole. It is fantastic and filled with worthy fats and protein.

Café Orchid

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This authentic Turkish BYO offers plenty of dishes with vegetables as the stars. A few favorites are the ezme, piyaz and shepherd salads and baked eggplant entrée. Bring a bottle of red wine to top off your veggie-packed feast.

Ground Control

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This is a great option for a non-belly busting lunch. Unique salads such as the avocado grilled pineapple and the zesty salad with tofu; cashew, onion, cucumber, tomato, basil and mint are concrete choices.

Kitchen 17

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This vegan BYO in Lakeview earns raves from the veg community. Their house-made veggie burgers are a sure bet. Made from roasted vegetables, plant-based proteins and grilled with olive oil.

Max's Wine Dive Chicago

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For seasonal comfort food full of wholesome ingredients, try the roasted cauliflower masala with braised French lentils, tomato garam masala and almonds. It’s gluten friendly and packed with fiber and protein.

Protein Bar

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Perfect for a healthy meal on the go with fresh-pressed juice, smoothies, build your own “bar-ritos” and salads. Each meal has high-protein options for vegans and carnivores alike.

While you can easily get sucked into ordering a few Manhattans and rich entrées such as the duck breast or arancini with carnaroli, opt instead for the grilled sturgeon, farro and celery root. It's a great choice for diners looking to eat light.

South Coast Sushi

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These BYO sushi gems in the South Loop and Bucktown offer a plethora of wholesome possibilities. The Sunrise roll, Ebi Q maki and all of the vegetable maki sans spicy mayo are solid options. Sub in brown rice for extra fiber.

The Winchester

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Chef Greg Bastein focuses on seasonal ingredients and sources organic when accessible. Try the fluke with wilted kale and raw veggies for a lean, protein-packed meal. For something extra light opt for the squash stir-fry with coconut curry, peanuts and scallions. Top the meal off with fresh-pressed beet juice to get your blood flowing.

Unite Urban Grill

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Owners Joe and Megan Krouse have differing tastes, but united their fares under one roof. Mrs. Krouse favors veg-centric dishes such as the spaghetti squash, crunch salad and farro with roasted cauliflower and kale. Mr. Krouse prefers meaty chops, but the menu still includes Irish Organic Salmon and Lake Superior whitefish. This makes it a perfect spot to unite with friends and family with differing tastes.

Urban Vegan

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Visit either of the two Chicago locations for exceptional vegan Thai. All dishes are packed with loads of veggies and are free of cholesterol since completely plant-based. The green papaya salad, cashew nuts and spicy eggplant are standout dishes. Most entrees are served with brown rice.

Anteprima

An abundance of shareable vegetable dishes make Andersonville’s Anteprima a great option for dining without guilt. The farro with broccoli and citrus zest, roasted rosemary carrots and the cannellini beans are solid choices to keep your waistline intact.

Beatrix

Beatrix is a stand out for Lettuce Entertain You, featuring nutritious dishes, drinks and sides that won’t bust your diet. Try the three-grain arugula salad with chicken; a side of roasted beets with pistachio pesto and a cherry chia punch for a balanced feel-good meal.

Blaze Pizza

Pizza can be healthy if you choose the right ingredients. First choose a base of olive oil or marinara, add loads of veggies and top with vegan cheese. Three minutes later you have a light and healthy fire-roasted pie and fulfill your daily serving of greens.

Bombay Spice Grill | Streeterville

The fast-casual Indian in Streeterville take a Chipotle approach where you can build your own nutrient-dense bowl or wrap with loads of veggies and lean proteins. All menu items are prepared with olive oil instead of ghee.

Burrito Beach

Traveling doesn't mean the end of your diet. Try some fast-casual Mexican fare with locations in The Loop and Terminal 3 at O’Hare. Order the vegetable quinoa chili for a high-fiber, heart-healthy meal. Don't skip the guacamole. It is fantastic and filled with worthy fats and protein.

Café Orchid

This authentic Turkish BYO offers plenty of dishes with vegetables as the stars. A few favorites are the ezme, piyaz and shepherd salads and baked eggplant entrée. Bring a bottle of red wine to top off your veggie-packed feast.

Ground Control

This is a great option for a non-belly busting lunch. Unique salads such as the avocado grilled pineapple and the zesty salad with tofu; cashew, onion, cucumber, tomato, basil and mint are concrete choices.

Kitchen 17

This vegan BYO in Lakeview earns raves from the veg community. Their house-made veggie burgers are a sure bet. Made from roasted vegetables, plant-based proteins and grilled with olive oil.

Max's Wine Dive Chicago

For seasonal comfort food full of wholesome ingredients, try the roasted cauliflower masala with braised French lentils, tomato garam masala and almonds. It’s gluten friendly and packed with fiber and protein.

Protein Bar

Perfect for a healthy meal on the go with fresh-pressed juice, smoothies, build your own “bar-ritos” and salads. Each meal has high-protein options for vegans and carnivores alike.

Sepia

While you can easily get sucked into ordering a few Manhattans and rich entrées such as the duck breast or arancini with carnaroli, opt instead for the grilled sturgeon, farro and celery root. It's a great choice for diners looking to eat light.

South Coast Sushi

These BYO sushi gems in the South Loop and Bucktown offer a plethora of wholesome possibilities. The Sunrise roll, Ebi Q maki and all of the vegetable maki sans spicy mayo are solid options. Sub in brown rice for extra fiber.

The Winchester

Chef Greg Bastein focuses on seasonal ingredients and sources organic when accessible. Try the fluke with wilted kale and raw veggies for a lean, protein-packed meal. For something extra light opt for the squash stir-fry with coconut curry, peanuts and scallions. Top the meal off with fresh-pressed beet juice to get your blood flowing.

Unite Urban Grill

Owners Joe and Megan Krouse have differing tastes, but united their fares under one roof. Mrs. Krouse favors veg-centric dishes such as the spaghetti squash, crunch salad and farro with roasted cauliflower and kale. Mr. Krouse prefers meaty chops, but the menu still includes Irish Organic Salmon and Lake Superior whitefish. This makes it a perfect spot to unite with friends and family with differing tastes.

Urban Vegan

Visit either of the two Chicago locations for exceptional vegan Thai. All dishes are packed with loads of veggies and are free of cholesterol since completely plant-based. The green papaya salad, cashew nuts and spicy eggplant are standout dishes. Most entrees are served with brown rice.

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