As more and more people strive to stay healthy, many turn to a more plant-based diet. Eating fresh produce, avocados, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains can provide you with a ton of nutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals.

By adding more of these items to your daily menu and substituting some meat-based dishes with plant-based ones, you can help improve your immune system and overall health. Our center for child care in Frisco, TX believes when vegetarian and vegan dishes are cooked properly, even kids enjoy eating them. If you want to eat out and dine on healthy food, check out these five restaurants that offer plant-based dishes in Frisco, Texas.

Up Inspired Kitchen

Image via Flickr by ella.o

One of the beautiful things about Up Inspired Kitchen is that it has something for everyone to eat. Meat eaters, non-meat eaters, and those wishing to eat a more healthy and sustainable diet can find delicious food at Up Inspired Kitchen. While raising their four boys, the owners of this family-run business wanted to create dishes that are healthy, tasty, and comforting, not only for their family but to share with the public, and so Up Inspired Kitchen was born.

Breakfast items include the Avo Benny made with a whole-wheat English muffin, vegetarian sausage, poached cage-free eggs, and homemade Hollandaise sauce. For a completely vegan breakfast option, choose the avocado toast. For a vegetarian choice, pick the Burrata that features heirloom tomatoes, burrata, shaved fennel, and black sesame tahini on sourdough bread.

If you want something that’s both vegan and gluten-free, try the spinach power salad with quinoa, edamame, avocado, tomato, and spinach. You can also enjoy a power meal when you choose the Acai Love bowl filled with nutritious acai berries, seasonal fruit, and gluten-free granola. Even the meat-based meals are made with healthy ingredients, such as the Salmon Buddha Bowl with wild-caught salmon, quinoa, vegetables, and sunflower sprouts. You’ll also find a variety of coffee drinks, teas, kombucha, and even wine to enjoy with your meal.

Mary’s Mediterranean Cafe and Grill

Nutritionists and dietitians recognize the value of eating foods inspired by dishes from the Mediterranean area. In Italy, Spain, Morocco, and other countries in that area, many of the local dishes feature lots of fresh vegetables, olive oil, nuts, and seeds, along with limited amounts of fish, meat, eggs, and dairy. You’ll find this style of cooking when you dine at Mary’s Mediterranean Cafe and Grill. The menu offers family recipes using many of the above ingredients, and the chefs cater to vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free customers.

Begin your lunch or dinner with an appetizer of hummus made with chickpeas, lemon, garlic, and tahini. The baba ghanoush made with roasted eggplant and tahini goes perfectly with gluten-free pita bread. Touboli or fattoush salads are refreshing on a warm afternoon, and if you choose something spicy, cool your mouth down afterward with tzatziki made with creamy Greek yogurt, diced cucumber, and dill.

If you’re in the mood for some hot veggies, try the savory coriander potatoes mixed with stir-fried zucchini and mushrooms. You can also sample the roasted cauliflower and the pomegranate eggplant dishes for a super satisfying meal. When you’re craving a wrap, choose the tasty falafel sandwich made with chickpea patties, secret spices, onions, and parsley. The falafels are wrapped in a pita and served with tzatziki, lettuce, and tomatoes. Don’t forget to save room for dessert so you can enjoy some walnut or pistachio baklava.

Jeff’s Vegan

Jeff’s Vegan is the place to go for a full vegan menu. You won’t find any meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, or eggs at Jeff’s — they specialize in an entirely plant-based menu, where the protein comes from tofu, legumes, and vegetables. Start your vegan meal with a glass of cool and refreshing lime cucumber or mango pineapple lemonade, or order a cup of hot tea and sip it while enjoying an appetizer like the spring rolls or sweet potato fries. On a chilly afternoon, try a bowl of nutritious miso soup or spicy Chinese hot and sour soup.

House specialties include crispy cauliflower with buffalo sauce, mixed vegetables with bean patties and lemongrass, or spicy kung pao with peanuts and tofu. Patties made with beans and vegetables can satisfy your burger craving, and you can order a variety of noodle dishes with either tofu or black beans. Asian-inspired dishes include eggplant with tofu, mixed vegetables with tofu, and lemongrass fried rice. Kids can order from their own menu with items like fried rice and vegan hot dogs.

Veggie Express

Veggie Express takes all of your favorite Asian-inspired dishes, such as chicken chow mein, beef and broccoli, and shrimp-fried rice, and substitutes the protein with vegan versions. The protein comes from soy-based products, legumes, and vegetables. Mixed with vegetables and sauces, the dishes are so flavorful that you won’t even notice that the proteins are plant-based.

Even meat-lovers will enjoy the flavorful food at Veggie Express, whether you order vegetarian fish dishes, veggie beef pan-fried noodles, or sweet and sour vegetarian chicken. Eating at Veggie Express is also fast and easy since the food is buffet style, and the kitchen keeps the food coming out quickly so that it’s always fresh.

Crush Taco

When the craving for good Mexican food hits but you want vegetarian or vegan options, head over to Crush Taco. The chefs put a modern twist on their dishes, with plenty of plant-based items to choose from. For a taco, go for the caramelized cauliflower taco with charred lemon and Greek yogurt, or try the panela cheese taco filled with Spanish rice and avocado chipotle cream.

Spice up your main entree or taco with sides like the street corn, chipotle black beans, and homemade guacamole with pico de gallo, cotija cheese, and lime. You can also get a salad bowl filled with loads of fresh vegetables, which either comes with traditional meat protein or caramelized cauliflower. They even have breakfast tacos so that you can start your busy day on the right foot. Quench your thirst with an imported Mexican beer, handcrafted margarita, or sparkling water while savoring the fresh salsa and guacamole served with zesty seasoned chips.

We hope you enjoy our list of plant-based restaurants in the Frisco, Texas, area. Which one is your favorite, and what are your favorite vegan or vegetarian dishes?