One New Year's resolution that's on the list of many is "to eat healthier." This could mean eating more organic meats; becoming a vegetarian or at the least adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet; reducing the intake of calories, fat, sodium and/or carbs; or simply eliminating, or reducing the amount of, runs to fast food restaurants. While it's relatively easy to control the menu and ingredients when you cook at home, eating healthy while out on the town can be a bit more challenging.

Where can and should you go in order to maintain the healthy standards of eating you are trying to incorporate into your life? Well, we at BOI highly recommend the following not only because they offer healthy fare, but because the food delivered to the table taste great as well.

Chicago Diner 3411 N Halsted St | 773.935.6696 | www.veggiediner.com
This Boystown eatery has long been a favorite outpost for vegetarians with a wide ranging menu that has "seitan" (a wheat-based meat substitute) featured in most of the entrees and sandwiches. The food here is so tasty and delicious that even dedicated meat-eaters sing the restaurant's praises. A meal here instead of at your favorite Italian trattoria or French bistro is sure to be more in line with your healthy dieting goals.

Heartland Café 7000 N Glenwood Ave | 773.465.8005 | www.heartlandcafe.com
Truly a community institution in the Rogers Park neighborhood, Heartland Café has had a menu filled with vegetarian dishes and healthy fare such as free range chicken, brown rice, and organic ingredients long before it was popular to do so. If you're looking for the perfect place to take care of the carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores in your group, this is it.

Veg Out 3176 Broadway | 773.880.6452 |
Basically this is a huge salad bar with tons of fresh ingredients from which to choose. You select your greens base (Romaine lettuce, mesclun mix, or baby spinach) and then pick from 16 vegetables, 6 meats, and 5 cheeses to custom craft your salad entrée. Of course be sure to get one of their many unique dressings on the side so as to control your overall caloric and fat intake.

Lake Side Café 1418 W Howard St | 773.262.9503 | www.lake-side-cafe.com
Often cited as the best vegetarian restaurant in the city, Lake Side offers a unique menu featuring thin crust pizzas, sandwiches and daily as well as monthly specials. Many of the dishes are vegan (or can be prepared that way) and are made for the most part with high-quality certified-organic, preservative and chemical-free ingredients.

Alice and Friends Vegetarian Café 5812 N Broadway St | 773.275.8797
Considered by those in the know as one of the best Asian-inspired vegetarian restaurants in the country, this comfy Uptown spot features Korean BBQ and tasty soy-based entrées such a "unchicken teriyaki" and "unbeef kebobs."