Have you ever wondered what a health specialist would actually order at that restaurant you frequent?
Here to help are six local physicians and specialists, sharing their personal favorite orders at six Charleston restaurants in honor of National Nutrition Month.
Thanks to the Roper St. Francis Healthcare doctors who shared their pro tips. Happy eats, CHS.
🍽️ Dine-in
Basic Kitchen, 82 Wentworth St., Charleston | Local, simple ingredients in a beachy-chic setting. What to order:
- Dr. Louise Wannamaker, Obstetrics & Gynecology, recommends the Basic Bowl. It’s filled with grains, greens + chickpeas — aka all the vitamins, nutrients, and protein that a pregnant person (or any person) needs.
Philosophia, 909 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt. Pleasant | Traditional Mediterranean cuisine. What to order:
- Dr. Julia Saylors, Medical Oncology and Hematology & Integrative Medicine, enjoys the heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory + cancer-preventing ingredients offered here. She orders the Greek salad, salmon entree + a side of crispy Brussels sprouts.
El Pollo Guapo, 1130 Folly Rd., Charleston | James Island eatery with a menu centered around its fresh and flavorful rotisserie chicken. What to order:
- Dr. Danielle Metzler, Family Medicine and Primary Care, goes for the Span-ish Chop Green Bowl, which comes with a variety of veggies, rotisserie chicken, and avocado ranch. Pro tip: Order dressing on the side to control the portion, and skip the queso fresco to limit cholesterol. Another of her pro tips? Check out Point Break Coffee nearby if you’re looking for juices, smoothies, or a light meal, instead.
🍱 To-go
Lacey’s Takeaway, 1028 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mt. Pleasant | Grab-and-go eatery that makes eating healthy on a busy day easy. What to order:
- Dr. Matthew Neal, Neurosurgery, goes for dishes packed with brain-friendly nutrients, like the superfood salad with miso glazed salmon — full of antioxidants, vitamins, and Omega-3 fatty-acids to support memory + cognition.
- Dr. Aman Amin, Internal Medicine and Primary Care, loves the variety of dishes here (including vegetarian + gluten-free options). One of his favorites is the chicken picatta with a side of roasted veggies for a balanced meal that tastes homemade.
Emoji Poke, Mt. Pleasant + West Ashley locations | Order online or walk-in for a build-your-own poke bowl. What to order:
- Dr. Andrew Smith, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pediatrics and Sports Medicine, orders a salmon bowl with avocado, edamame, mango, asparagus, furikake, and seaweed salad for a lunch rich in calcium + vitamin D (read: a bone-healthy meal).
Viva Chicken, 506 Nexton Square Dr., Summerville | Fast-casual spot for charcoal-fired Peruvian chicken. What to order:
- Dr. Sarah Minter, Obesity Medicine, loves an all-around balanced meal, so she goes for the quarter chicken with cilantro rice + plantains. Nutritionally, there’s a good balance of protein to carbs. Flavor-wise, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Feeling inspired to learn more about health + wellness from the experts? Roper St. Francis Healthcare covers everything from healthy recipes to general health FAQs on its blog.
Quiz
What year was National Nutrition Month established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics?
- 1990
- 1973
- 1955
- 2002
Take a guess — and read the March 27 edition of our CHStoday Wellness newsletter to discover the correct answer.
