Eating Healthy in OKC

Oklahoma is known for some great things including the OKC Thunder, football, beautiful sunsets and affordable living.  Embarrassingly it is also one of the fattiest states in the nation.  What do you expect when we make our state meal fried okra, squash, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, chicken fried steak, pecan pie, and black-eyed peas?  Seriously?  That's not a meal, that's a week's worth of calories!  Despite that I have found some great healthy & local options in OKC that we support on a regular basis. 




Wrap & Cous Cous from Cool Greens

Brian & I eat at Cool Greens at least once a week, every week, and we never get tired of it.  There are 5 locations all around the metro and you have to try really hard to not get something healthy or delicious.  These aren’t light salads that leave you hungry in an hour.  Their proteins are grilled chicken breast, tuna, shrimp and tofu.  I usually stick with a build your own salad, but when I am feeling adventurous I do the whole wheat wrap or flatbread pizza, both of which are amazing.  You get to pick your greens from a choice of spinach, arugula, romaine and mixed greens (no iceberg here!) and there are about 50 toppings ranging from artichoke hearts, peppadew peppers, spiced pecans, sundried tomatoes, snap peas, fresh mozzarella, hearts of palm, capers and so many more.  The possibilities are endless.  They also make their own dressings and most are under 25 calories an ounce.  My favorite is jalapeno lime vinaigrette and it’s only 16 calories an ounce!  Their website nutritional information is very thorough and lists calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, fiber, carbohydrates, sugar and protein.  Their frozen yogurt and soup are also tasty and they don’t offer soda (poison). 

 



Delicous & Local Wedge Pizzeria

When we want to splurge and have pizza, our first choice is always The Wedge.  There are two locations in OKC.  I personally have the Wedge to thank for introducing me to Brussels sprouts and figs, neither of which would have crossed my plate before we went there.  They focus on using only the freshest products available, making everything from scratch daily.  Their flourishing garden out front provides basil, rosemary, spring mix and arugula for many of their dishes.  Some of my personal favorites are:

·         Prosciutto Wrapped Pears-with goat cheese and drizzled aged balsamic

·         Marinated Mozzarella Salad-arugula, sundried tomatoes, toasted pine nuts

·         Brussels Sprout Salad-shaved brussels sprouts, pancetta, sundried tomatoes, toasted pine nuts

·         The Napoli Pizza-toasted walnuts, asiago cheese, arugula, rosemary, pancetta

You can build your own, but I like to leave it to the experts and trust their judgement for pairings on pizza toppings.  You can get a marinara pizza with pepperoni, but why would you want to?  Their topping selection includes some unique flavors like: capicolla, kalamata olives, roasted fennel, and goat cheese.  I challenge you to go outside your standard flavor profile and try something new!

Dragon Roll at Matthew Kenney

If you are really ready to try something new, how about something raw?  Or everything raw?  Try Matthew Kenney in Classen Curve.  They employ innovative techniques and creative thinking to prepare minimally processed, plant-based cuisine, that is delicious, vibrant and nutritious.  The menu changes quarterly and the current offering include: Zuchinni Hummus, Corn Mint Pesto, Pine Nut Ricotta, and Raspberry Avocado Gelato.  The presentations really are a work of art.  You don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy Matthew Kenney, but you do need a sense of adventure.  There are so many unique flavors and items I have never experienced and their staff is always great about explaining the items.  They also operate a world renowned raw food culinary academy and a small pantry section where you can purchase your favorite items to go.  I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy cold raw lasagna sans traditional noodles, ground beef and loads of cheese.  They do use dehydrators for some of the ‘cooking’ but nearly all the items are served in a cold state.  Brian is a big fan of their sushi, made with jicama ‘rice’, turnips and spinach.  If you aren’t in OKC (The Land of Perfect) you can also check them out in Chicago or Santa Monica. 

What are your favorite healthy eats in your hometown?  I'm always up for a road trip!