7 places to get a healthy brunch

• 1. First Watch

  
  The Siesta Key Cocktail from First Watch (Photo source: Facebook)

  First Watch is an awesome brunch option for those who are watching their waistlines.  The menu at First Watch even has a section dedicated to “The Healthier Side.” It offers an array of delicious brunch options to make eating healthy as easy as ever. 

   

  Good: Siesta Key Cocktail
  The Siesta Key Cocktail is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a guilt-free way to way to treat yourself.  Fresh fruit is piled high between layers of low-fat vanilla and strawberry yogurt, all topped with fresh granola.  The “cocktail” comes with a fresh baked muffin, but if you’re really dedicated, try substituting for mixed greens or a dry English muffin.

   

  Even better: Tri-athlete omelet
  Egg whites are folded into an omelet and filled with Crimini mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and green chilies to make the Tri-athlete omelet.  Top it with housemade salsa to add a little kick.  This omelet comes with a dry English muffin and fresh fruit, so you get the feeling of a full-fledged brunch, without the calories.

   

  Locations: 4105 W Town and Country Rd., Kettering; 2614 Colonel Glen Hwy, Suite A, Fairborn; 2824 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Dayton.
  Hours: Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  More info: Website | Facebook 

   

• 2. The Shakery

  
  Yogurt Bowl from The Shakery (Photo source: Facebook)

  Taking your brunch on the go?  Look no further than The Shakery, Dayton’s only mobile juice bar.  Of course, they specialize in other tasty treats as well while keeping the focus on simply fresh food. 

  Good: Yogurt Bowl
  If you’re the type of person who would usually go for sugary, syrupy pancakes or waffles, why not try something sweet and nutritious.  Go for one of The Shakery’s yogurt bowls.  The health nut packs a serious protein punch, with peanut butter almonds and granola atop creamy yogurt with bananas on top.  

  Even better: Breakfast Bar
  This liquid lunch will have you feeling a lot better than if you went for mimosas. Plus, this is The Shakery’s speciality!  The Breakfast Bar is a shake made with a healthy base spinach and oats, then blended with tasty strawberries and almond milk.  Instead of ice, they actually utilize frozen bananas, to make this drink even more nutritious.

  Location: Varies, check their facebook for the latest updates.
  Hours: Varies, but juices are available for online ordering.
  More info: Website | Facebook  

   

• 3. Christopher's Restaurant

  
  The Sunriser Omelet from Christopher's Restaurant (Photo source: provided by Christopher's Restaurant)

  For a quaint little brunch in a cozy, home-style restaurant give Christopher’s a shot!  Bonus: they serve breakfast every day until 1 p.m., so you can satisfy your craving for brunch anytime throughout the week.

   

  Good: Veggie Omelet
  Fresh peppers, mushrooms, onions and tomatoes between three eggs make this a veggie omelet to remember.  Cheddar cheese helps to bind the whole thing together, but if you’re being extra conscious you can always ask to have it without.  Choose fruit over home fries when given the option.

  Even better: Tofu scramble
  If you’re not a vegan, tofu probably isn’t something you’d consider in a brunch, or maybe even ever.  But tofu is actually quite wonderful because it absorbs flavor and it’s low in calories.  Sounds like a win-win in our book.

   

  Location: 2318 E. Dorothy Ln., Kettering.
  Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
  More info: Website | Facebook

   

• 4. Butter Cafe

  
  The Skinny B*#@h Frittata from Butter Cafe (Photo source: Facebook)

  Butter Cafe might as well have been transplanted straight from New York City to Dayton's Brown St. and they consistently churn out quality food to match their aesthetic.  According to its Facebook page, Butter Café’s ingredient come from foods that are healthy for consumers, does not harm the environment, respects animals, provides local farmers fair wages, and supports the local community.

   

  Good: Spinach and Feta Omelet
  Everyone knows that spinach and feta is just an amazing combination, but above all, spinach is one of the most nutritious of the leafy greens.  This three egg omelet will be a hearty and wholesome choice for brunch.

  Even better: Skinny B*#@h Frittata
  The Skinny B*#@h Frittata is going to be a better choice because it utilizes egg whites as opposed to the whole eggs in Butter Café’s omelets.  Tomato, green pepper, mushroom, onion and sautéed spinach are added to the party for a healthy meal that doesn’t lack flavor.

   

  Location: 1106 Brown St, Dayton.
  Hours: Monday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  More info: Website | Facebook 

   

• 5. Meadowlark

  
  Huevos Rancheros from Meadowlark (Photo source: Facebook)

  Meadowlark might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of brunch, but boy, they do brunch right!  Using local ingredients in a unique, creative way Meadowlark’s brunch spread is seriously impressive.

   

  Good: Huevos Rancheros
  If you love Mexican food, then you must try the Huevos Rancheros from Meadowlark.  They’ve been a staple on their menu for years now and for good reason; they are simply amazing and surprisingly, not all that bad for you.  Even though the poached eggs sit upon tortillas, the beans and the egg provide a healthy amount of protein, and salsas are a great way to provide bold flavor without adding many calories. Make this dish a little better for you by substituting mixed greens for hash browns.

  Even better: Fresh Vegetable Scramble
  Local veggies meet with three organic eggs for an awesome bowl of delightfulness.  Meadowlark utilizes vegetables that are in season, but zucchini, red bell pepper and spinach provide a nice backdrop in this dish.  For an even lighter scramble, ask for no cheese, and when it comes to sides, ask to substitute hash browns for mixed greens or fresh fruit. 

   

  Location: 5531 Far Hills Ave., Dayton.
  Hours: Closed Monday, Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  More info: Website | Facebook

   

• 6. Another Broken Egg Cafe

  
  Chobani Tuille from Another Broken Egg Cafe (Photo source: Facebook)

  Fairly new to the brunch scene in Dayton is Another Broken Egg Café, located in Austin Landing.  As a restaurant that specializes in brunch, they provide a wide variety of egg dishes and more to choose from.

   

  Good: Chobani Tuile
  This breakfast is as cute as it is scrumptious!  Chobani vanilla yogurt is topped with blackberries, blueberries and strawberries, all nestled in a sweet, crispy tuile bowl.  It’s served with fresh cut fruit and local honey.

  Even better: Simply Salmon
  More on the lunch side of the brunch spectrum, the Simply Salmon is still as tasty as it is nutritious. The salmon is flavorful, with a southwest seasoning, skewered with onion, peppers, garlic, mushrooms and asparagus.  The whole thing is served atop a warm, spring mixed salad and chipotle jicama slaw.  It’s garnished with a brûléed lemon, to add some extra citrus to your seafood as needed.

   

  Location: 3450 Rigby Rd, Miamisburg.
  Hours: Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  More info: Website | Facebook

   

• 7. Mimi's Cafe

  
  Egg White Veggie Omelet from Mimi's Cafe (Photo source: Facebook)

  Mimi’s Café is a French-inspired eatery that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a warm, inviting setting.  Mimi’s would be a great choice for brunch before shopping with friends, as it is within close proximity to the retail stores at The Greene.

   

  Good: Turkey Sausage and Eggs
  It’s not every day that you have the option between regular sausage, and turkey sausage at a breakfast establishment, but turkey is a great choice because it’s a much leaner meat.  You can have all the pleasure of a traditional breakfast, without the guilt at Mimi’s Café.

  Even better: Egg White and Veggie Omelet with Mixed Fruit
  Egg whites are just the way to go when you’re trying to eat breakfast and make healthy choices.  This omelet is a little different because it’s open-faced, but it still packs all the hearty veggies including spinach, mushrooms caramelized onions, tomatoes.  It’s topped with a little bit of goat cheese and served with mixed fruit, rather than potatoes.

   

  Location: 4402 Walnut St., Beavercreek.
  Hours: Breakfast served until 11 a.m. daily. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  More info: Website | Twitter

   

WANT MORE OPTIONS FOR QUICK, FUN, HEALTHY THINGS TO DO IN THE REGION? FIND MORE ON THE NOT FAR OFF PAGE.