It is not difficult at all to eat healthy food in Valencia. There is plenty of choice and there are numerous restaurants with a wide range of healthy dishes. The Mediterranean diet is known as one of the healthiest in the world for a reason. Partly thanks to the climate in which everything grows like cabbage, there is a wide range of seasonal and regional products available. The Mercado Central is the perfect place to visit if you want to prepare a healthy meal yourself. What local products and dishes come from Valencia other than paella? Where can you eat healthy in Valencia? I’ll tell you about it in this article.

Local products from the Mercado Central

Valencia is the city of oranges. Even 80% of all oranges coming from Spain come from this region. The season runs from the end of October to the end of May. But also consider almonds, cherries, honey, artichokes, tomatoes, olives, grapes, chufa, rice and fish. In the Mercado Central (the large market hall for fresh produce) you will find the best of the land and sea of Valencia in one of the 300 market stalls. The market hall is open daily from 08:00 to 15:00, except on Sundays.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean cuisine mainly consists of fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs, olive oil and shrimps, fish or chicken. Actually, this is what the Valencian land and sea has to offer. In addition to the ingredients, it is also about a lifestyle of enjoying the food, taking the time for lunch and this meal is also the main meal. Life in Valencia mainly takes place outdoors, which involves a lot of exercise. Of course the Valencians also like to eat sweet, but the trick is to keep an eye on the food pyramid and thus the ratio of lots of vegetables, fruit and few saturated fats and refined sugars.

Traditional Valencian healthy dishes

Horchata is a drink made from the juice of a carrot called chufa with water and sugar. It is a popular drink and the earth almond is a superfood and contains many vitamins and minerals such as: calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins E, C and folic acid. In the winter period during the orange season, the Valencians drink a lot of fresh orange juice. For breakfast you order a tostada con tomate, a toasted sandwich with grated tomato, olive oil, salt and pepper. Tataina is a ratatouille of bell pepper, tomato, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts and tuna. This delicious on a sandwich.

Esgarraet Valenciano is a dish with grilled red pepper, garlic, olive oil and salt cod. The Ensalada Valenciana is simple, but can be ordered almost everywhere and always good with lettuce, tomato, onion, carrot, olives and tuna. Puchero Valenciana is a dish prepared like a soup with lots of vegetables and meat. You eat the broth first and then the cooked vegetables and meat. It is a traditional dish that always comes back at Christmas. An example of a healthy dessert is Calabaza del horno con miel or half a pumpkin drizzled with honey slowly cooked in the oven.

Restaurants where you can eat healthy

Salad Planet‘s concept is simple, fast, fresh and delicious. The wide choice of vegetables and superfoods means that there is something for everyone and that healthy food does not have to be boring. It is a fast food concept for everyone who is aware of healthy food that is also tasty, easy and quickly available.

Begin is a new restaurant that focuses on healthy eating. The dishes are prepared with honest local products, such as: salad with spinach, cabbage and avocado, pizza with pumpkin and chicken, fresh tuna, grilled vegetables and risotto with mushrooms. The interior resembles a scene from avatar in a tree house with solid wood chairs and natural stone plates.

Almalibre has a delicious acai bowl. The ice cream is made from the superfood açai, a berry from Brazil. The combination with banana, strawberry, granolo, chocolate, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds is heavenly. You can also go there for fresh smoothies, wraps and salads.

Ricard Camarena Restaurant is run by the 2-Michelin star chef of the same name. Michelin has even awarded a Green Star for the way it cooks with honest products and with respect for tradition. They are also in 8th place for the best vegetable restaurant in the world. Very suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

A healthier life starts in Valencia. Let us help you live a healthier life: with less stress, more sun, more outdoor living and a healthy diet. We help you take the step. Contact us for more information.