Healthy diners, rejoice! A recent study released in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior proves that with a little education and a mindful approach, it is possible to maintain and even lose weight while eating out.

35 healthy women who ate out often were assigned to one of two groups: one that offered weekly sessions on education and mindful eating meditations, or one without any counseling. The first group learned about portion sizes, strategies to prevent weight gain in various types of restaurants, setting personal goals, and meditating to increase awareness of feeling hungry or full.

At the end of the six-week period, the women in the first group felt confident about achieving their goal to prevent weight gain, and many lost weight - an average of 3.7 pounds! The women even made some serious caloric cutbacks at home as well, proving that the education from the counseling sessions transformed their eating habits at every meal, not just the ones eaten out.

This study just further proves what we already know about the effectiveness of health coaching. Yet this issue remains a challenge for many, and we live in a culture where dining out is routine. We celebrate special occasions at fancy restaurants, the paper’s latest review urges us to try the pizza joint that just opened up, and business clients would prefer a nice dinner out rather than leftovers at your place.

Denver, the Mile High City, has no shortage of healthy people and healthy activities! From hiking and biking in mountain parks like Red Rocks to playing chess at the 16^th Street Mall, Denver offers a wide array of outdoor activities. But if the outdoors isn’t for you, no need to fear! The city also has an incredibly rich culture including the beautiful Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the Denver Art Museum, and the Santa Fe Arts District. The restaurant scene in Denver is thriving, and with so many healthy, organic choices, we had a hard time narrowing down the selection!

Here are a few of our favorite places in Denver. Be sure to check out our other Healthy Living Guides for options in your town!

Restaurants

Watercourse Foods
837 East 17^th Avenue

This internationally acclaimed restaurant is definitely a favorite among locals. All dishes are vegetarian or vegan versions of traditional comfort foods. This is one spot that you don’t want to miss in Denver!

Root Down
1600 West 33^rd Avenue

This trendy restaurant uses only natural, organic ingredients in their dishes with the belief that there should be a “seamless bond between the elements and the (dining) experience, which stimulates the senses and draws people in.” The atmosphere is exciting and relaxed, perfect for dinner with friends!

Ignite!
2124 Larimer Street

This new restaurant in the Ballpark Neighborhood is already popular. The seasonal menu features fire-grilled meals using local, organic ingredients. Ignite! is the perfect place for a pre-game burger or wood-fired pizza!