Where to Eat Healthy in San Miguel de Allende

As a food writer, I have to eat and most of the time it’s business as usual. But after months of openings and holiday eating, when I’m ready to trade in my green Aguachile Cocktail for a glass of green juice, it’s time for a detox.  

This detox was created by one of Nómada cocina de interpretación’s chefs, Cesar Garcia of Marchanta Comedor, who worked as a nutritionist before he started his career as a chef. It’s a simple program: we meet at 10:00 AM at Nomada cocina de Interpretacion for our first juice. The same juice and salad of the day are consumed at 3:00 PM, comida time in Mexico, at Marchanta Comedor. All of the salads and juices contain an abundance of flavors and nourishing ingredients; some we’d never think of putting in the salads we make at home. And with a touch of humor, the juice is served in an oversized wine glass.

Cesar’s program was designed for 7 days; a detox that’s definitely more intense than the one we did last year. The reason we selected Nomada cocina de Interpretacion last year and Marchanta Comedor this year is because their dishes tend to be healthy anyway (see above) using only the best produce, ingredients and cooking methods; that is except for some of Sofia’s magnificent desserts.

In between the morning juice and afternoon meal, we eat fruits and vegetables, yogurt, raisins, nuts and seeds. Leaving Cesar to the science, it’s a week+ without meat but other proteins are added to the salads. For instance, on day one, we had a combination of quinoa, amaranth and couscous; lots of protein mixed in with the greens. Chef Sofia Antillon of Nomada explained that blanching the grains instead of cooking them leaves them crunchy; something I really loved in this salad and will probably do at home. Yesterday, our salad was corn and quinoa, a mix of arugula and alfalfa, a puree of banana and pipian de hierbabuena with nuts and raisins; one of the best salads I’ve had in SMA.

The good news is that this nutritious menu is about to be permanent soon, offering healthy soups, salads and sandwiches, as well as their regular menu.

Marchanta Comedor, Nemesio Diez #2, is open Monday – Saturday from 12:00 Noon – 9:00 PM  and closed on Sunday.

Nómada cocina de interpretación, Hernandez Macias #88, is open 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday –Monday (except Sunday closing at 6:00 PM) and closed on Tuesday.

During the coming weeks, we’ll complement our gentle eating at these healthy restaurants and stores around San Miguel de Allende:

Via Organica
Calle Margarito Ledesma 2, Colonia Guadalupe

Daily 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Vía Orgánica is a Mexican, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote good nutrition through organic agriculture, fair trade, a healthy lifestyle and the protection of the planet. You’ll find wholesome juice blends, gluten free pizza and a wide variety of organic dishes and other items on the menu as well as in the store.

Shop Via Orgánica’s Mercado Rural the first Sunday of every month from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, for one of the most authentic, market experiences in SMA.

Querencia

Julian Carrillo 4B
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

We give a thumbs up to the homemade, German-style, sourdough bread that’s naturally fermented and sold at this tiny restaurant. With a 5 star rating, the eatery has plenty of healthy choices including Pan Aleman with vegetables and Huevos Rancheros.

I love Eggs Benedict and was fascinated to watch Chef Esmeralda Brinn make her not-so-typical version: German sourdough bread topped with homemade pesto, a grilled Hoja Santa leaf, sliced avocado, thick-cut Canadian-style bacon, flawless poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce.

Guess where we’ll be going when our detox is over?

Ki'bok Coffee
Diez de Sollano y Dávalos #25
Daily 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Food/6:00 PM Drinks

It’s all about healthy where your first stop of the morning is a daily dose of Canada de la Virgen’s bone broth and they’ve got the perfect spot to nurse it. You’ll also find other nourishing dishes on the menu: an avocado stuffed with egg (skip the cheese, just for this month) and the Quinoa Bowls.

Mercado Sano
Ancha de San Antonio #123
Monday – Saturday 8:00 AM -8:00 PM / Sundays 8:00 AM -6:00 PM

This collective supports sustainable, natural and organic products. We like these spots for healthy drinks and wholesome eats:

Simbiosis: Beautiful mushrooms, vegetables, Microgreens and edible flowers by SMA’s mushroom expert, Arif Towns Alonso.

Livingrass: green juice with a shot of grass.

El Maguey: healthful foods using Aguamiel; the sap of the Mexican maguey plant which is believed to have therapeutic qualities.

Blend Boutique: smoothies and bowls, all with a beneficial boost.

Also, stop by the Pura Vida Kitchen, a cooking school run by Chef Alicia Wilson Rivero. She teaches a series of classes on health and nutrition.

Mercado Sano’s Organic Market happens every Saturday morning starting at 9:00 AM.

Media Naranja
De La Luz #110

Monday – Saturday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

A great place to get healthy and fit – you have to walk up a steep flight of stairs to get here - this restaurant serves organic salads, nutritious smoothies and juice blends. Grab a seat near the window and soak up the January sunshine.The surroundings are so cozy, you’ll be tempted to stay awhile but let's get moving.Walk in nearby Colonia Guadalupe and take in all of the captivating murals painted by local and international artists. Colleen Sorenson conducts Mural Tours on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Meet on the street in front of Via Organica by 9:50 AM. The cost is $300 pesos.

Josephine's - Buenas Bebidas
María Grever 5, Colonia Guadalupe

Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Since April, 2016.

Using no dairy or sugar in their products, this health bar serves a variety of drinks and smoothies made from house-made sprouted nut or seed milk, organic coconut oil, and local honey. Take home a blast detox shot that uses ingredients like fresh pressed ginger, turmeric and raw apple cider vinegar. Many drinks are fortified with superfoods and herbs.

Meghan and Brenda are in the house if you need any helpful recommendations.

Tienda Naturista Génesis
Relox #34B
Monday - Saturday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM/Sun 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Since 1981, Génesis is the oldest health food store in SMA.  Génesis sells a variety of healthy portions. Belly up to the small juice bar for a nutritious green juice or a more fiber- intensive variety.

Selecting the best fruits, Genesis squeezes them right in front of you, so you know the juice is always fabulously fresh.

Luna de Queso

Jesus #3
Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Designed for people who like to eat well, this specialty food store and restaurant has an extensive juice menu, including ones for both detox and general fitness. You’ll find other healthy things to eat and drink on the menu as well, including a variety of teas and soups.

Their main store and restaurant is located at Salida a Celaya #79.