Dining out is extremely popular in Seattle, with more than a third of Americans eating away from home daily. While most diners do not have to put a lot of thought into eating out, those living with dietary constraints have to be a bit more fastidious when picking a suitable restaurant. At present, up to 100 million adults in the USA are living with diabetes, according to the CDC, making diabetic-friendly menu items increasingly important. Although not every eatery will have a dedicated diabetes-friendly menu, it is generally possible to pick suitable items from the menu of a health-orientated establishment. As a result, more restaurants, coffee shops, and delis in Seattle cater to a wide range of patrons with varying dietary needs.
Carnivore is perfect for Paleo.
Carnivore is, without a doubt, one of the hottest eateries in Seattle. Situated at 5313 Ballard Avenue, the restaurant is the perfect choice for patrons in need of diabetes-friendly foods. They embrace the Paleo diet, which is known to help balance glucose levels. The Carnivore menu may seem odd at first. It is devoid of grain, processed sugars, legumes, dairy, white potatoes, fructose, and vegetable oils (apart from organic extra-virgin olive oil). The most popular menu items include the Painted Hills Petite Filet Mignon, Naturally-Fed Pheasant with kale, broccoli, crushed fingerlings, sherry jus, and spaghetti with heirloom tomatoes, Pomodoro, preserved duck yolk, and sweet basil.
Sprout is a foodie hotspot.
Sprout has become a health food hotspot in Seattle, and with excellent reason. While the menu is not explicitly aimed at diabetics, it is filled with delicious and nutritious salads, wraps, and drinks that are good for the body and the soul. One of the best-loved salads on the menu is the South by Northwest, made from chicken, white cheddar, tomato, chili-roasted sweet potatoes, toasted tortilla strips, and a corn and black bean salsa served on a bed of Romaine and Arugula. Containing only 470 calories, it’s easy to see why this salad is so famous among health-conscious Seattleites. Even if your elevated blood glucose levels are temporary, like in the case of gestational diabetes, you're bound to fall in love with Sprout’s delicious offerings and return to sample more menu items shortly.
Feast on the sustainable fare at Homegrown
If you're looking for decadent, healthy, and sustainable food, look no further than Homegrown, which aims to ‘change the food system so future generations can live in greater harmony with the earth.’ The restaurant prides itself on crafting a range of healthy breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, and snacks made with only the freshest locally sourced ingredients. The majority of the menu items are diabetes-friendly, although a few stand-outs take healthy eating to the next delicious level. For example, the Matcha Chicken Avocado Bowl is immensely popular. It contains grilled chicken breast, feta cheese, avocado, farm greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, warm ancient grains, and a basil/lime matcha dressing. Another favorite is the Broccoli Melt sandwich, filled with smoky roasted broccoli, white cheddar, caramelized onions, farm greens, and a chermoula aioli.
Living with diabetes does not have to put a damper on your social life. With so many healthy restaurants in Seattle, there's no reason why you can't go out and enjoy a meal with family and friends.