Finding healthy food can be a challenge when in Texas. A fondness for deep-fried dishes with lots of butter means you have to know where to look for healthy food when visiting the Lone Star State. Luckily, there are options.

Avoid Southern Fried Foods

Fried food is a staple in the South, and it’s easy to see this when you look at a menu. Fried chicken, chicken fried steak, and even fried vegetables are the norm. Consuming too much-fried food is not good for your body. High in calories and fat and loaded with salt, fried food can contribute to high cholesterol and health problems. You are also more likely to gain weight on a diet full of fried food, and that leaves you open to a variety of other health issues. If possible, avoid any food that says it has been fried. Opt for options that have been prepared in a different way.

Look for Local

Not every local restaurant will offer healthy food, but local places usually know more about what is in the food they serve. They may also be willing to work with you to create a meal that fulfills your hopes since they have more freedom than a chain. Search for local restaurants that focus on healthy eating. Even in the South, places like this exist. The food will also likely taste better due to the freshness of the ingredients.

Restaurant Research

Doing your homework beforehand can help you locate healthy eating options. You can use the internet to research local restaurants near the airport in your destination city. This will keep you from choosing a restaurant without any healthy options on the menu. Online reviews are a great way to find out what a restaurant has to offer. Customers often mention diets that restaurants cater to, whether you are looking for Paleo, gluten-free, or vegan options. You can also check a restaurant’s website and peruse the menu. Call before you arrive if you still have questions.

Stick to What You Know

Retailers like Whole Foods offer healthy food that is already prepared. You can enjoy choices from the salad area or purchase an already cooked chicken to consume. The ingredients are listed, and healthy grocers are known for having options that other stores or restaurants may not. If you want to put together a delicious meal on your own, simply head to a healthy grocer and buy what fits in with your diet.

When traveling, it may seem like an impossible task to eat healthy, but there are options out there that can help you to stick to your diet. Eating healthy doesn’t have to take a vacation just because you are visiting another state. Even a place like Texas has eating choices for anyone concerned about wellness.

If you’re traveling to Texas, check out these destinations!

Move over, San Francisco, Fort Worth and Boston. There are some new craft brewery cities on the block, and they’re making a huge difference in how and what you drink.

Asheville, NC

Asheville is relatively new to the craft beer scene, but it has quickly become a mecca for beer lovers. According to SMBYO, the craft beer industry in Asheville is booming and has more craft beer breweries than any other city in the country with some serving almost every style of beer. Many consider Asheville’s Wicked Weed Brewing Company to be the best of the best. They opened their doors in 2012 with 25 unique beers and have expanded to four brewing locations and three taprooms. In 2014, the company opened the Funkatorium, which is a taproom dedicated to serving their infamous sour beers. Some of the top-rated beers in the state include Wicked Weed’s Golden Angel, Red Angel and Angel of Darkness American ales. Other popular breweries in Asheville include Burial Beer Company, Pisgah Brewing Company, and Highland Brewery.

Louisville, KY

Louisville is not just known for its whiskeys. It features a growing craft beer industry that offers consistently great tasting brews. The area boasts an impressive 21 breweries. Many of the beers have flavors crafted from local ingredients, giving them a uniqueness that can only be found in Louisville. The oldest and largest brewery is the Bluegrass Brewing Company. Their main location is in a historic downtown building that offers tours and tastings. Their most popular beers include an American Pale Ale, Dark Star Porter and German Altbier. They also pour bourbon barrel-aged brews. Falls City Beer is the official beer of the Kentucky Derby and serves its Extra Special English Pale Ale, Hipster Repellent and Wheat Ale in a newly opened location. Apocalypse Brewery brews its beers in a facility with solar-powered water and recycled equipment. Its 10 beers include the popular Irish Red Rapture, R.I.P. Rye and Dystopian Dunkle.

Nashville, TN

According to Maple Ridge Events, craft breweries are popping up all over the Music City and provide unique options to locals and tourists alike. Bearded Iris Brewing serves some of the best beers in the state. Its variety and use of hops and other ingredients are evident in its Attention Please, Homestyle and Double Scatterbrain IPAs. Wiseacre Brewing has the top-rated Astronaut Status Imperial Stout. Yazoo Brewing Company’s Hefeweizen won a gold medal at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival.

Next time you’re in the southern part of the U.S., make an effort to stop in one of these cities to enjoy a beer. You’ll be glad you did.

Here’s another article you might like: The Best Cities in Colorado for Food Lovers

The state of Colorado is more than just an outdoor lover’s paradise. This diverse state offers a host of exciting dining options that are just waiting to be explored. Before you set off on your Rocky Mountain adventure, be sure to consider where you want to stop for meals. Here three of the best cities in Colorado for food lovers.

Denver

As the capital of the state of Colorado, Denver boasts a vibrant art and cultural scene that perfectly complements its wide array of distinctive restaurants. Denver’s oldest restaurant is the Buckhorn Exchange, making it a must-see destination when visiting the Mile High City. This restaurant is a National Historic Landmark and Western Museum, and it’s been dishing up steaks and seafood since 1893. For a variety of choices, One Day Itinerary recommends heading to the renovated Denver Union Station, where visitors enjoy a wide selection of restaurants with communal seating. Denver Biscuit Company is a great place to fuel up on breakfast before you head up to the mountains for a day of adventure. Located in a converted gas station, Root Down is a trendy farm-to-table experience, serving up myriad sustainable dishes that cater to nearly any dietary restriction.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a mecca for outdoor recreational enthusiasts. According to Avis, there are lots of things to do near Colorado Springs, including mountain biking, hiking, and camping. All of this activity certainly works up an appetite, and Colorado Springs delivers. This city loves its microbrews, and the Phantom Canyon is the perfect place to indulge yourself with a variety of beers brewed on-premise and paired with delicious pub food. Paravicini’s Italian Bistro is an ideal place to carb-load before heading out on a long bike ride or hike. This rustic trattoria specializes in classic Italian fare served with homemade sauces.

Boulder

Located in the shadow of the Flatiron Mountains, Boulder is the quintessential college town. The heart and soul of Boulder is the popular Pearl Street Mall. This pedestrian mall is lined with many of the city’s best restaurants and bars, making it the perfect place to go when hunger strikes. Oak offers locally sourced cuisine in one of the trendiest spots in Boulder. Or, try local favorite Pasta Jay’s and its many handmade pasta and sauces for a superior comfort meal. 

With so many varied options to choose from, it is easy to find something to satiate your hunger in Colorado. Don’t be afraid to travel off of the beaten path to explore all that this state has to offer.

Headed to Alabama next? Take this guide with you.