Guide to Heart Healthy Restaurants in Tucson

Feast changes its menu monthly, yet some standard dishes are always on the menu. Thus, be prepared to enjoy fresh food prepared with fresh ideas and novel approaches.

For an appetizer, I had roots — carrots,turnips, and parsnips, salt roasted and served over beet hummus, garnished with crispy roots and mustard oil. The sautéed
redfish entrée included green beans. My friend ordered celeriac and mushroom tamales with an orange-carrot sauce.

To top it all off, the Feast sommelier also learned of our entrees and beautifully paired wines with our specific choices.

I dined at Gallery of Food at a special event titled “Dinner and Jazz in the Garden.” The nicely lit back dining area included live jazz with guests coming and going from the kitchen area to smell and select impressive appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Appetizers included eggplant roulade, empanadas with cilantro creams (vegetarian), stuffed bacon-wrapped jalapeños, honeynut squash soup, and a healthy salad. Entrees included seasonal winter vegetables, corn pudding, beef picanha with limequat chimichurri, and shredded duck empanadas. They also prepared an assortment of desserts, including vegan options.

Gallery of Food is a well-known lunch destination for special business or personal gatherings. They prepare so much heart-healthy food with care and thought. The attached grocery store offers a variety of healthy meal ingredients, such as beans from Ramona Farms, local produce, spices, sauces, and plenty of desserts. I met Chef Kristine’s lively 89-year-old mother, Marilyn. As they say, the proof is in the pudding or how healthy your mom is!

With over three decades of feeding our community, Govinda’s prioritizes creating food for the body and soul. “India Night” on Tuesdays feature a selection of curry dishes. The food and setting are colorful and comfortable. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are 100% vegan days.

A fully vegan Restaurant with gluten-free options, Lovin’ Spoonfuls opened in 2005. I often go for lunch and enjoy the variety of salads, housemade burgers, and bowls — especially the black bean bowl. As I do with other restaurants, I ask that organic tofu is steamed rather than fried. If you have a craving for comfort food and a larger portion, the cashew nut loaf will satisfy your appetite.

My work in Asia allowed me to sample many dishes, with noodle dishes earning a spot among my favorite. The noodle dishes and bone broths were how I survived jangled nerves and jet lag.

The Noodleholics menu includes authentic Asian-inspired family recipes and housemade noodles. I usually crave the gluten-free Guilin with a clear broth, or without broth, with pickled greens, onion, cilantro, peanuts, and bok choy. It also includes your choice of two proteins, with options such as tofu.

This neighborhood favorite of mine offers Mediterranean food, multiple selections of hummus, and several dishes to please most guests you bring with you. My favorites are the wood-fired vegetable salad, za’atar wood-fired salmon salad without cheese, and vegan-pesto lavash shawarma wrap. Pita Jungle’s healthy burgers are house-made and filling, but not completely vegan due to eggs in the buns.

The chickpea scramble is a home run with me no matter how many times I order it. I talked with owner Nathan Ares and they plan to add more vegan dishes. For now, the bliss bowl with the quinoa, roasted veggies, arugula, and pomegranate vinaigrette is another fresh choice.