New year, new diet. It’s always the same. After gorging on food and drink over Christmas, January comes and it’s time to shed the guilt as well as the extra pounds.
During this time you may think dining out is an indulgence your waistline can’t afford. However, more and more restaurants are placing a focus on healthy recipes and offering alternative dishes to health conscious diners.
We’ve listed our top picks in Glasgow and Edinburgh that allow you to eat out the healthy way.
][1]Bukharah, Glasgow
Indian cuisine is never usually associated with the word “healthy” but Bukharah creates delicious curries without using the heavy ingredient in most Indian dishes – ghee. The restaurant’s head chef Mahrukh Butt, Scotland’s first female Asian head chef, aims to ditch the calories without sacrificing the taste. She said: “Working at Bukharah has allowed me to be creative in my cooking, I enjoy being able to come up with new healthy food dishes using fresh Scottish produce.”
Receive a 20% discount when dining on the a la carte menu.
The Living Room, Glasgow and Edinburgh
No need to scan the menu looking for the healthiest item – The Living Room in Glasgow and Edinburgh have a separate section of their menu for dishes under 500 calories! And with options as tasty sounding as grilled Moroccan lamb skewers with couscous and rocket salad, as well as grilled halloumi and puy lentil salad, you won’t feel like you’re depriving yourself.
Receive a 50% discount on your food bill when dining on the a la carte menu
][4]La Tasca, Glasgow and Edinburgh
La Tasca are another restaurant who make it easy for health conscious dinners. The tapas chain were awarded the “Best for Gluten-Free” by the Healthy Food Guide and all gluten free and low calorie options are clearly marked on the menu. Low calorie goat’s cheese and tomato salad and gluten free chorizo and morcilla anyone? With branches in Glasgow city centre, Edinburgh and Silverburn, you can pick a restaurant near you.
£9.95 for a starter and three tapas dishes from the set menu.
Yeni Meze Bar, Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Yeni Meze bar is a health nut’s dream. Almost everything on the menu is vegetarian and gluten free and there are tons of vegan options too. The Mediterranean/Turkish/Middle Eastern restaurant serves their food in small bites, perfect to share. And with dishes as tasty as oven baked peppers stuffed with cous cous, olives, tomatoes, feta cheese and herbs, and cajun seasoned chicken wings with a garlic and herb dip, you’ll want to try them all.
£12 for two courses from the January sale menu. Includes a filter coffee or tea.
Mithas, Edinburgh
Another healthy Indian option, Mithas do not have a fryer in the kitchen and do not pre cook any of their food. Check out the first Indian in the country to be awarded two AA rosettes.
£15.95 for six courses from the special menu.
Bread Street Brasserie, Edinburgh
Bread Street Brasserie has a strong focus on locally sourced Scottish produce. Many of the dishes on their menu are gluten free, including their seared fillet of halibut served with mussel broth and their celeriac gratin. They also serve many vegetarian and vegan dishes and host a regular vegan night.
£12 for two courses from the lunch / pre-theatre menu. Includes tea or coffee.
For more health dining discounts, check out 5pm Dining.