Readers’ Choice Awards: Best Spas for Healthy Spa Cuisine

What’s on the menu: Food for thought here: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat’s dining experience takes on a “Mother Nature-knows-best” approach and entails “a clean and pure journey from preparation to plate”—meals are prepared with fresh, local, certified organic produce, much of which stems from the property’s gardens and orchard.

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What’s on the menu: Think “slow food” philosophy—natural, nutritious foods low in calories, fat, sodium, and refined flour and sugar sourced from hundreds of recipes that have been meticulously cultivated, tested, and fine-tuned for more than 70 years. Rancho La Puerta’s extensive organic garden should also be mentioned.

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What’s on the menu: Spa-goers will find seasonal, continually changing items made with local ingredients and various textures and flavors on Miraval‘s list of mindful meal options.

Image courtesy of Miraval Resort & Spa

What’s on the menu: Mealtimes at Spa Eastman emphasize the fulfillment of gastronomic pleasure, with cuisine that is suitable to all diets and is created from simple, natural ingredients—cold-pressed oils, whole grains, organic produce, etc. Organic wines are also on the menu.

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What’s on the menu: Though you’re restricted to a 1,200-1,400 calorie/day meal plan while at Hilton Head Health, the retreat’s culinary team has created low-calorie, healthy gourmet cuisine to please the palate. A well-balanced diet is maintained via local, natural ingredients, along with interactive cooking classes, family-style “meet-pair-share” dinners, chef’s table experiences, and more.

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What’s on the menu: Chiva-Som strives to “provide healthy cuisine but with so many flavors you will never notice it’s good for you!” Made with fresh herbs, spices, and produce, dishes are designed to cleanse your body while you’re under the guidance of Chiva-Som’s experienced naturopathic practitioners and holistic medical staff.

Images courtesy of Chiva-Som

What’s on the menu: On your plate you’ll find entrées rich in produce from Golden Door’s organic garden, fresh fish procured from the Pacific Ocean, and locally raised, free-range poultry. Truffled wild mushroom soup, nori-crusted opah with ginger-roasted yams and orange-sesame salsa, and fudge brownies with chocolate sauce and raspberry coulis…yum!

Image courtesy of Golden Door

What’s on the menu: Not only can you dine on healthy dishes that are nutritious yet flavorful—filet of grass-fed bison, seared salmon with arugula and balsamic vinegar, and mushroom risotto—but you’ll learn how to recreate them at home, eat better on business trips, and more insightful advice to adopt a healthier approach to eating.

Images courtesy of Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa

What’s on the menu: A whole bunch of healthiness. Nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners at Canyon Ranch in Tucson are included during your stay, and the destination spa allows you to eat as many courses and helpings as your appetite desires (did we also mention that healthy snacks are always available?). Plus, menus contain nutritional stats in lieu of prices.

Images courtesy of Canyon Ranch

What’s on the menu: Savory dishes that spotlight fresh, regional produce, unprocessed whole grains, and lean proteins—and are visually stimulating—make it easy to stay healthy (and satisfied!). Plus, learn Cal-a-Vie Health Spa’s recipes during cooking demonstrations/classes.

Image courtesy of Cal-a-Vie Health Spa