Call it a fad, diet, or trend, but dietary restrictions have taken the food world over by storm. However, not everyone goes gluten-free or paleo because of the current trend. People over the years have started to be in touch with their bodies. Really paying attention and getting down to the nitty gritty about how certain foods make them feel. Some people really do get sick from certain foods. Celiac disease is a real thing.

It’s interesting to see how the world has adapted to these diets. Twenty, even 10 years ago, people had no idea what being gluten-free was. Now many restaurants and food services are catering to people’s dietary needs.

I thought it would be eye opening to take a glimpse and see how many options there really are here in Charlotte for people who follow these specific diets.

Paleo

This diet refers to eating foods early humans would have eaten, including meat, fish, fruits and vegetables while avoiding dairy, grains and processed food.

• modPaleo: Prepared meal delivery service, offering paleo, primal and vegetarian options. All gluten-free, sugar-free and soy-free.

• Restaurants in the area that have Paleo options or cater to Paleo diet needs: Pio Pio, Bang Bang Burgers, Viva Chicken, Luna’s Living Kitchen, Midwood Smokehouse, and many more. 

Vegan

• Nourish: Locally-sourced, organic, vegan, prepared healthy food delivery service. 

• Beverly’s Gourmet Foods: Prepared vegetarian and vegan foods. Found in several, local Charlotte locations including Mecklenburg County Market, Healthy Home Market, Reid’s Fine Foods and Atherton Market.

• Restaurants that specialize in vegan cuisine: Bean, Fern, Luna’s Living Kitchen, Zada Jane’s, Zizi’s Gourmet To-Go, The Common Market

Gluten-free

• Fit You Meals: Food delivery service. Using organic, seasonal and locally grown vegetables and fruits. No preservatives, low sodium and no artificial colors or flavors.

• Bruks Bars: Nutrition bars that are gluten, dairy, soy and egg free. Available at many local Charlotte locations including: Not Just Coffee, Yoga One, Laurel Market, Common Market, Earl’s Grocery and many, many more.

• Jane’s Bakery: A gluten free bakery based out of Waxhaw, NC that provides gluten free products to the residential and commercial establishments.

• Beverly’s Gourmet Foods

• Restaurants with gluten free menus or that gladly cater to your gluten free needs: Vivace, 300 East, Luna’s Living Kitchen, Cantina 1511, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, The Cowfish, Pisces Sushi, Rooster’s, The King’s Kitchen

I know I’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to naming places in Charlotte where you can eat out, dietary restrictions and all. I recommend that you tell your server or call ahead and say you have a food allergy or dietary restriction. Nine times out of 10, restaurants are happy to cater to your needs. Sometimes it’s only about substituting or omitting certain ingredients from a dish to make it safe for you to consume.

Fun fact: A lot of restaurants use the letters “v” for vegan and “g or gf” for gluten free on their menus to clearly state options for you to eat.

(Photo credit: Luna’s Living Kitchen Facebook page, Food Allergy Research and Education, modPaleo Facebook page, Nourish Facebook page, Beverly’s Gourmet Facebook page, Fit You Meals Facebook page)