If you’re on the go for lunch, downtown Rye offers a number of healthy options. I’ve included my five favorites and some important ingredient information.
By Lee Sandford
If you’re on the go for lunch, downtown Rye offers a number of healthy options. I’ve included my five favorites and some important ingredient information.
Post Road Market’s Salad Bar
Their build-your-own salad bowl offers loads of healthy choices, depending on your taste and mood. Choose a vinaigrette, rather than creamy dressing, and add cranberries and walnuts.
Cranberries contain a chemical that protects against UTI infections and they’re a great source of anti-oxidants, which are as good as it gets as far as diet health is concerned. Their myriad of reported benefits include: protection against cancer and disease, younger looking skin, higher energy, higher immunity to colds and flu, and help with weight loss.
Walnuts are similarly rich in anti-oxidants, and more so than any other nut. A source of protein and fiber, they are a filling alternative to meat if you are thinking of doing a veggie lunch.
Subway
Try a whole-wheat or oat sandwich with cold cuts and loaded with salad. The bread is fresh and everything comes with a calorie count. Just remember that nothing a foot-long can be considered a “light lunch”, so stick to the half-baguette.
Add peppers, which are rich in nutrients and anti-oxidants, and a good source of vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as beta-carotene, which protects eyes and the skin, and folic acid, which protects against certain cancers and heart disease.
Le Pain Quotidien
You really feel like you’re dining out at Le Pain. They offer daily specials and everything is calorie-counted. The gazpacho and frittata will fill you up, but not out.
Tomatoes contain a large amount of anti-oxidants, especially lycopene, which is great for bone health and strength. Tomatoes have been shown to lower cholesterol and are therefore considered a good heart-healthy food.
The humble egg has suffered a lot of bad press in years gone by, unfortunately due to what we now know was misinformation. The American Heart Association no longer considers eggs a cholesterol-raising food. The omega-3 fatty acids make the egg a brain-healthy food, its vitamin D is good for bones, and one egg contains around 6 grams of easily digestible, high-quality protein.
Andy’s Pure Foods
Healthy options abound here, and I often pick up a side dish for dinner while I’m there. My favorite is the quinoa with almonds.
Quinoa is high in protein and contains eight essential amino acids, so it’s a favorite of vegetarians, who struggle to get “complete” proteins in their diet. Rich in fiber, it is digested slowly, therefore leaving you feeling full longer.
Almonds are heart-healthy because of their magnesium content. Their phosphorus content is good for brain and muscle power and almonds also offer the benefits that come from their Vitamins B & E and folic acid content.
June & Ho
The raisin bread sandwich with Brie and apple is the tastiest around. You can usually find one already wrapped and ready to go in the refrigerated section near the checkout. The Brie and homemade bread give you just the right amount of decadence in the middle-of-the-day lunch, and the benefits of apples range from bone health to protecting against several cancers. It won’t quite give you your “apple a day”, but every little slice helps.
