Low-Calorie Eating in LA That Won't Depress You
Alrighty, kids. The clock's ticking. In a week or two, "winter" in LA will be over, and before you know it, it'll be time to put away the sweaters and jackets and get out the dresses and t-shirts again. If you're anything like me, you've been using the sixty-degree chill in the air as an excuse to stay in, guzzling wine and eating cheese by the pound, but now you're ready to shape up again -- ideally with a minimum of effort. Sure, you could resort to a drastic diet, but instead, why not hit a restaurant that serves miraculously low-calorie (or, at least, lower-calorie) versions of the foods you love? Here's a roundup of great LA eateries for eating healthy without feeling like you've sold your soul.
Topz
8593 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
A burger with onion rings will never be truly good for you, no matter how it's prepared. That said, Topz is just about as good as it gets when it comes to healthy fast … food. Their quarter-pounder registers around 450 calories, and an order of the Aero fries is only 380 calories. Nothing here is fried, and everything's trans-fat free. It might not be the equivalent of a fresh fruit smoothie, but for what it is, it's pretty damn healthy. [link]
Hugo's
8401 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Hugo's is a go-to brunch spot in West Hollywood -- expect to wait if you're dropping in before 2 p.m. on a weekend -- and the dinner's not as great as the breakfast, … unfortunately. Still, there are a lot of fantastic healthy options on the menu, all made with organic, hormone- and antibiotic-free ingredients. The easiest option for guilt-free eating is their "create a plate" meal, where you can choose any three items from a long list of veggies and filling, low-calorie treats like black bean cakes. [link]
Follow Your Heart Café
21825 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, CA 91303
This vegan/vegetarian restaurant located in the back of a cute health food market primarily focuses on choices low in cholesterol and fat -- thus the ridiculously cheesy … name. But they have some really hearty (no pun intended) and healthy choices on the menu, from vegan nachos to portobello mushroom burgers, so you can do something nice for your body without feeling hungry again in two hours. [link]
D'Amore's Pizza Connection
12910 Magnolia Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
I'm not going to pass judgment on the East-Coast-ness of the pizza at D'Amore's, because anyone in LA who opens that can of worms lives to regret it. But it is pretty … good -- fresh, crisp, made with quality ingredients. Best of all, one slice of their original cheese pizza clocks in at a seemingly impossible 160 calories. It may be a little more expensive than you'd expect, but it's nothing compared to what you'd pay at a trendy health food restaurant, and it's pizza. End of story. [link]
California Chicken Café
6805 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
There's really nothing like rotisserie chicken for filling you up without overloading on calories. That's basically the angle they work here, where you can get chicken … with veggies, a chicken wrap, or a chicken salad, all fresh and prepared in a healthy way. The Chinese chicken salad is the best in town, but the wraps are great as well, and the chicken used in everything is warm and tender -- a nice change from the cold, tough lumps you might get elsewhere. Be sure to call ahead with your order, though, because the lines get ridiculously long. [link]
