Kim D’Eon knows healthy eating. The Toronto holistic nutritionist hosts Eat Some Good, a web series that features local chefs’ favourite healthy recipes, and blogs about the best clean eating in Toronto. Her latest endeavour is a mega-guide of 29 “healthy hot spots” that focus on fresh, unadulterated food with an emphasis on seasonal and local produce. All of them make their dishes from scratch daily and offer a menu that’s either “vegetable-forward” or exclusively veggie, with plenty of gluten-free and dairy-free options.
Here, D’Eon takes us through her top five lunch picks. For her full Eat Some Good Guide to Toronto, recipes and holistic health advice, visit kimdeon.com and see her web series here.
[Don’t miss Lighten up: better eating doesn’t have to be boring here]
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1
The Goods
“The Goods is a mostly raw, all-vegan take-away shop featuring freshly made salads, soups, smoothies and fresh-pressed juices that will knock your socks off. The salad/grain bowls are chock full of colour, nutrients and enzymes, and you’ll find yourself craving the handful of delish dressings.”
Watch Kim and The Goods owner Lisa Labute have fun with spiralizing here.
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2
Feel Good Guru
“I’m constantly stopping into this Queen West gem for my good food fix. This take-away café is hyper-local and completely plant-powered. You’ll find one of the best gluten-free/dairy-free sandwiches in the city (avocado and cashew cheese) and the best avocado veggie maki rolls I’ve ever eaten.”
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3
Kupfert & Kim
“This vegan, gluten-free quick-service resto operates from several locations in the financial district. The menu changes slightly from location to location but always includes substantial dynamite vegan dishes like a red lentil curry with organic potato and broccoli, onion and cauliflower on a bed of brown rice with a side salad and pickled vegetables. Hello!”
More locations at 181 Bay (Brookfield Place), 416-601-1333 20 Bay (Water Park Place), 416-360-5555, kupfertandkim.com.
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4
Live Food Bar
“You may have enjoyed Live Organic Raw products from your local health food shop and wondered if there was a restaurant that served these tasty morsels. In fact, there are two! Not only do they have a tasty, plant-based, gluten-free and sugar-free menu, with all-stars like the killer dill tahini dressing, but the Live Market also stocks all sorts of food and personal care products.”
Don’t miss the other location at134 Atlantic (at King), 647-748-5483, livefoodbar.com.
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5
IQ Food Co.
100 Wellington W, Toronto, Ontario“IQ’s boxed lunches will tempt vegans, vegetarians and sustainable meat eaters alike. Since it’s summer, try the Pink Panther with strawberries, goat cheese, avocado, pickled onions, organic quinoa, spinach and lemon vinaigrette. If you’re just looking for something light, there’s a sizable snack menu that even includes a simple classic like avocado mash with lime juice and chili flakes on sprouted toast.”
Two additional locations at181 Bay (Brookfield Place), 647-346-0792 18 York (at Bremner), 647-340-6892, iqfoodco.com.
