With the popularity of health-focused restaurants in Toronto’s downtown core, Scarborough residents may have trouble knowing where to find healthy restaurants closer to home.

Canada’s Food Guide for Healthy Eating suggests avoiding foods high in calories, fat, sugar, and sodium. Restaurants like Fresh, which has three locations in Toronto, are vowing to serve the public more healthy meals made from “wholesome, natural ingredients” without animal by-products. Primarily a vegan restaurant that prides itself on being a healthier choice for those eating out, Fresh has yet to open a location in the Scarborough area.

Judi Wilkie, a registered dietitian with Toronto Public Health, says there are ways to eat healthy without going to a restaurant that explicitly advertises itself as such.

“I would certainly be looking for restaurants where there is more choice,” she says. “For instance, I could ask for a dressing on the side or a lower-fat dressing, and I could ask for foods prepared in a certain way so they are lower in fat, calories, and sodium.”

I would look for those [restaurants] that could actually provide their nutritional information so that I could make a choice

— Judi Wilkie

She says it depends on what you choose to order, not necessarily on where you are ordering it from.

“I would look for those [restaurants] that could actually provide their nutritional information so that I could make a choice… and would have more information to choose from,” she says.

Though restaurants specializing in organic and vegan options may have more nutritious food, they are often hard to find. It is important to stick to basic nutrition concepts like the food groups when ordering your meal.

Vince Chan, who co-owns the Natural Food Depot on Lawrence Avenue in Scarborough, says he is often asked where there are healthy restaurants in the area.

“Whoever has an expensive menu is often healthy, nowadays,” he says. “All the high-end restaurants can be that way, with [options like] gluten-free and extra virgin olive oil. I mean, the idea of eating healthy is not really a fad anymore.”

Because his competitors include big chains like Wal-Mart and Metro, which now offer organic and whole foods, Chan feels that many companies in the food service industry have caught on to the consumer’s desire for healthier options.

The idea of eating healthy is not really a fad anymore

— Vince Chan

Most chain restaurants like Jack Astor’s and Casey’s offer changeable menu options like grilled chicken instead of breaded, whole wheat pasta instead of white, and salad dressing on the side. Subway and Pita Pit serve meals that cover all food groups, include fresh vegetables, and have their nutritional information available in-restaurant or online. All of these restaurants have Scarborough locations.

The Scarborough Town Centre has also upgraded its food court to include healthier fast food alternatives like Cultures restaurant, which specializes in salad, soup, sandwiches, and smoothies.

So, though Scarborough may not have any specialty health food restaurants, it is certainly possible to access healthy options while dining out.