Eating in Rome {Healthy Choices in Monti}

I love food. I love to shop for food, read about food, think about food and obviously eat delicious food. Rome is a wonderful place for a food lover to live with the endless plates of pastas with bold hearty sauces, thin crusted pizzas, creamy gelato, craft beer, decadent pastries. I love it all.

But, as with all good things, there needs to be a balance. After a very indulgent summer of lots of travel and even more eating (and yes cocktails too) I am back on my yoga mat and craving plates piled high with fresh vegetables and spicy vitamin packed juices. Luckily I live in Monti, one of Rome's best neighborhoods where on the via Urbana there are three terrific options for when you are in need of a break from the Italian carb-a-thon.

Grezzo

via Urbana 130
Open daily

When this gilded chocolate shop opened a few month ago, Noah and I went in scoffing at the raw, organic, vegan tagline expecting bland sawdust textured “treats” like the ones that I remember from my sticks and berries childhood. We were so so wrong. First, the friendly and very helpful staff are happy to answer any questions and offer you a taste of their vast array of raw products. Second everything I have tried from here is delicious. The frullatis made with almond milk and fresh fruits or vegetables are the perfect post yoga lunch. The raw brownie is decadent and rich in chocolate flavor. The gelato is a cold clean flavored treat and if you show up for a dinner party with one of the very pretty pastries elegantly presented in a gorgeous box your guests will be wowed and appreciative. 

Aromaticus

via Urbana 134
Closed Mondays

Fresh juices, creative salads and some really terrific carpaccio are what keep me coming back to this leafy part shop part restaurant. I rarely leave this spot empty handed. I usually end up buying some herbs in pots for the balcony or a vial of some kind of interesting chili pepper.

Zia Rosetta

via Urbana 54
Closed Mondays

You probably know about the adorable little sandwiches made with the iconic Roman bread, "rosetta," that this breezy whitewashed shop creates but you may not know that they have an excellent selection of freshly pressed juice too. I love the zingy Leonina which is made with apples, carrots and ginger.