Thanks to a boom in health-focused eateries, markets and meal prep companies, it’s easier than ever to consistently eat healthy in South Tampa. Here are some of the local spots helping you do just that.
The Nutrition Factory
Everyone’s nutritional needs are different, so highly customizable meal prep is the name of the game at The Nutrition Factory. Choose a bowl, salad or wrap and each of its components, or start with one of The Nutrition Factory’s signature combinations (think Southwestern, barbecue or Thai). Hormone- and antibiotic-free protein options include grilled chicken, bison meatballs, black tiger shrimp, grilled steak and a vegan choice, with tons of veggies, toppings and sauces to round out your creation. Pair your meal with a protein shake, all of which are made with homemade almond milk. Unlike other meal prep services, you set your own schedule. The Nutrition Factory doesn’t do subscriptions or minimum orders, so place your order (including the number of meals) and when you’d like to pick it up online or in the company’s app.
3251 W. Hillsborough Ave.
thenutritionfactory.com
Organic Eats
The Healthy Dose Organics
SPONSORED
Food for your body, mind and soul, The Healthy Dose Organics is a one-stop-shop for all your health and wellness needs. THDO specializes in organic customized meal plans to fit your life, offering 100% organic and non- GMO grab-and-go meals, snacks, drinks, desserts, broths and soups. Discover how amazing your body is designed to feel, one delicious and nutritious meal at a time.
3415 Bay to Bay Blvd., Unit C Tampa, FL 33629 (813) 613-3322
@thehealthydoseorganics
thehealthydoseorganics.com
Editor’s note: As of October 2021, Healthy Dose Organics is unfortunately, permanently closed.
Palma Ceia Village Health Market
SouthTampa’slongtime go-to spot for hard-to-find natural and organic groceries, produce, cleaning supplies and personal care products is still at it, with over 13,000 offerings in store. Also inside the Village Health Market is Intelligent Gourmet, a health-focused café with a variety of daily hot specials, made-to-order breakfast, acai bowls and smoothies, juices, and grab- and-go vegan, keto and paleo options. Longtime shoppers will still find the market’s beloved salad bar, sold by the pound during lunch Monday through Friday.
3225 S. MacDill Ave.
villagehealthmarket.com
Fitlife Foods
Launched by Tampa native David Osterweil in 2011, Fitlife Foods is a combination restaurant and mail-order service. Fitlife produces around 65 different breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack options that can be purchased at a Fitlife retail location or delivered to your home. A dietician consults with Fitlife to ensure meals fall within specific calorie, fat, carb, protein, salt and sugar ranges, and healthier ingredients are often swapped in to create “better for you” dishes (see: a zucchini-mushroom base for the chicken “pizza” supreme or a flax- and pumpkin-seed cheesecake crust). Fitlife now has two South Tampa storefronts, including the original Palma Ceia location, and home deliveries happen on Sundays.
1902-B S. Dale Mabry Highway | 126 S. Westshore Blvd.
eatfitlifefoods.com
Rollin’ Oats
This health market has a long “no-no” list — as in no hormones, antibiotics, hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners, preservatives, or high fructose corn syrup in any of the products they carry across their departments. Rollin’ Oats also makes it a priority to carry locally produced goods and highlights some of its featured local brands on its website. On the café side, Rollin’ Oats uses all-natural ingredients to whip up sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers and hot daily specials, plus smoothies and juices.
1021 N. MacDill Ave.
rollinoats.com
Chef Ami
Florida’s only local meal kit service, Chef Ami works in a similar fashion to Blue Apron. The company sends you three new recipes each week, along with all the ingredients in the exact proportions you need to prepare each dish. Your box is delivered with refrigerated packaging to your home or office so you can skip the grocery store and just get cooking. Plans for two, four or six people are available, and Chef Ami emphasizes the use of seasonal, locally grown and organic ingredients. And you can make your recipes knowing you’ve done a little good; Chef Ami donates up to 12 meals to people in need for every recipe box purchased.
ONE TO WATCH
Liz Anthony
After graduating from the University of Tampa with a master’s in exercise science and nutrition, Tampa native Liz Anthony started a food blog, where the recipe for her protein bites were born. Encouragement from friends led the lifelong athlete to begin selling the treats on Facebook, which eventually turned into small-scale sales in health stores and fitness studios. In flavors like honey peanut butter and chocolate, the bites are a good source of protein without the chalky aftertaste found in similar products, Anthony says. A key turning point was Fitlife Foods (where Anthony worked in college) picking up the bites as a snack option for their customers. Anthony’s treats can now be found in Lucky’s Markets across Florida and 11 Publix locations in Tampa and Orlando. Already involved with local organizations like Girls on the Run, Anthony is looking for ways to continue doing good through business. “It’s always so special to share my story with our younger generations and let them know anything is possible if you persist,” she says.
Liz Anthony Nutrition | lizanthonynutrition.com
Pure Kitchen
This is a mostly grab-and- go concept that focuses exclusively on organic vegan cuisine. The menu changes daily (and is posted on Facebook each morning), with new dishes going in the restaurant’s refrigerator for customers to pick up. A recent menu included a Cuban platter, spaghetti with artichoke and kale cream sauce, Chinese noodle salad, panang curry, and mac and cheese. Pure Kitchen also carries pastries from WeVeg- anEats every day and serves brunch (vegan Benedict, tofu “poke” bowl, apple puff ) on Saturdays.
3214 W. Kennedy Blvd.
LS Organics
A hybrid meal prep service and smoothie cafe, LS Organics recently opened its second South Tampa location. As the name suggests, the meals are all organic and include vegan and vegetarian options. You can order ahead to ensure the store is stocked with the meals you want, or stop by to peruse the grab-and-go fridge. The Instagram-friendly smoothies and blends served up at each store are packed with superfoods like acai, blue-green algae, bee pollen, blue majik, chia and flax seeds, and turmeric.
219 S. Packwood Ave. 4245 Henderson Blvd.
enjoylifesimplified.com
