Now that the COVID restrictions have loosened, you probably want to go out and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant – perhaps on one of Vancouver’s most historic streets: Commercial Drive.
And perhaps you’ve been on a healthy eating streak lately, and you don’t want to break it. I know it can be hard to find healthy options when you are out on the town, so I’ve put together a bit of a guide to help you when eating with your friends and family.
As a Naturopathic Doctor, I take an approach that takes advantage of the body’s ability to self-heal. The idea is to treat all kinds of diseases and illnesses by using a blend of natural therapies and modern medicine.
Naturopathy is a wide-ranging concept that includes but is not limited to homeopathy, herbs, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, massage, and natural physical manipulations. The goal is to live a life within the bounds of optimal health and sustain it for an entire lifetime.
Although naturopathy is best known for its natural approach towards healing (naturopathic medicine), this article’s purpose is to talk about eating healthy, the naturopath’s way.
What Is a Whole Foods Diet?
When at all possible, your diet should consist of natural, whole foods meant to promote optimal health. The idea is to eat and prepare meals that are as close to their natural state as possible.
This means avoiding foods that have been processed or altered in any way, such as refined food, i.e., white sugar, white bread, pasta, and highly processed meats, should be kept to a minimum.
The paradigm of a healthy diet must be holistic and objective. This generally means a diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, lean meats, fish, cereals, and seeds.
Basic Eating Principles From a Naturopathic Doctor
The standard North American diet doesn’t always qualify as the “optimal” solution for our body’s needs. It’s because every human being has a unique way of responding to nutrition and all of us have different metabolisms imbalances and nutritional deficiencies.
In naturopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, the body is treated using different tools, and diet is one of the most critical elements. According to the proponents of this therapy, the body can be of three constitutions: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. In other words, the food you eat heals you. So, when you eat food that’s not suitable for your body constitution, that’s when you suffer from disease and illness.
Healthy Grocery Stores On Commercial Drive
If you live in or near Commercial Drive, you’d be glad to know that there are many healthy food options available. So, if you plan to embrace a whole-food diet, you’re in luck.
Let’s kick things off with groceries and stores offering healthy products:
The Low Carb Grocery – This place is heaven for people on a no or low-carb diet. The Low Carb Grocery has a wide variety of healthy, all-natural, and gluten-free foods that you can buy and enjoy anytime you want.
They have fresh produce full of vitamins; grass-fed beef, bison, and lamb; dairy products such as cheese, milk and eggs. They also sell other essential foods, including flaxseed oils and olive oils.
Plant Life Nutrition – This store has an ideal setup catering to those on a vegan and vegetarian diet. They sell organic, gluten-free, and GMO-free products such as plant-based foods, meat alternatives, cereals, bread, legumes, and nuts.
Eternal Abundance – This health food store prides itself on offering the finest quality whole organic foods for vegans. Their stock consists of fresh produce, grains and flours, seeds, and plant-based oils. You can also get your supply of vitamins at this place.
Meanwhile, these are the best places to dine in and near Commercial Drive if you don’t have the time to prepare your naturopathy-friendly food at home:
Healthy Restaurants on Commercial Drive
Meanwhile, these are the best places to dine in and near Commercial Drive if you don’t have the time to prepare your naturopathy-friendly food at home:
1 – Bandidas Taqueria
This restaurant serves an array of traditional Mexican dishes with a healthy twist, including vegan and gluten-free options. Dedicated to healthy options, the restaurant makes everything from scratch. Inspired by Southern California cuisine, the restaurant was opened in 2009 by two university friends.
2 – Jamjar Canteen
Jamjar Canteen is inspired by the decant food of the Middle East. They use only the freshest local ingredients, made fresh to order and is reasonably priced. The restaurant takes pride in being part of the Commercial Drive community, giving back through various initiatives and ventures, always serving their patrons with attention and care. They also have a second location in North Vancouver, at the foot of the Sea Bus terminal.
3 – Café Deux Soleils
For over 25 years, Cafe Deux Soleils has been a staple of Commercial Drive and has a lot of healthy choices. They serve delicious food combined with a number of live events, making it a go-to spot for the entire neighbourhood. Whether you’re looking for a place to grab a snack before work, share a drink with friends, or celebrate a special occasion, Café Deux Soleils is a great spot.
4 – Flourist Mill + Bakery
While not strictly a restaurant, Flourist sources high-quality dry goods, grains and beans directly from the farmers who grow them. Founded in 2019, they bypass the traditional supply chain market, allowing them to maintain a high degree of quality and freshness that few other shops can provide. With a passion for sustainability and renewability, they can deliver right to your door.
What Foods To Limit or Eliminate on a Whole Food Diet
Your commitment to healthier eating doesn’t mean you no longer can enjoy dining out. Eating healthy means choosing the right foods and the places that serve them. Unlike before, we now have a lot of options from restaurants and stores.
To stay on track as much as possible, here are some food groups you may want to avoid:
- Inflammatory fats (oil) – Oils that cause inflammation are found in several foods. The list includes palm oil, soybean oil, vegetable oil, and even peanut oil. You must avoid them at all costs to reduce the risk of suffering from inflammation. Other examples are butter, margarine, and mayonnaise.
- Charred Meat – Carcinogenic substances are produced when meat is overcooked at high temperatures. They can increase the risk of cancer development and other illnesses. A whole foods diet recommends complete avoidance of charred meat.
- Canned Food – It is best to avoid canned foods as much as possible to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals such as BPA in the lining of the packaging of these products. Additionally, most of these products are processed and filled using additives and flavours that may contain toxic substances. Instead, opt in for a cheaper and healthier option of buying dry legumes and beans, and pressure or slow cook them to enjoy in salads, soups and other meals.
Whole Foods Diet encourages eating food in its purest and natural form. For this reason, it would be best to prepare food from scratch and on your own. But don’t think for a second that there’s no healthy food in Commercial Drive or any other Vancouver neighbourhood. Armed with the right information, you’ll see that there’s more healthy and natural food out there than you realize.
Now each person is different and has their own dietary needs and preferences. What is right for one person may not be right for the next. If you have any questions or concerns, book an appointment with me today to find out how your nutrition can serve your optimal health!