Health

Lunch Break: Healthy, Tasty Snacks at Union Market

From all-natural yogurt to hummus to tasty oysters, it’s not too hard to find a nutritious meal at the new market.

Union Market DC offers plenty of healthy snacks and meals, including Trickling Springs Creamery's local yogurt with fresh fruit and TaKorean's tofu tacos. Photograph courtesy of Flickr user angela n.

If you haven’t made it down to Union Market, you’re missing out. The trendy gathering place is a melting pot of fresh food with a rotating lineup of vendors, including TaKorean and Rappahannock Oyster Company.

Union Market is open Wednesday through Sunday, so this week’s lunch break is focused on healthy eats you can find whether you’re headed there for a day trip or an early dinner. Check out our picks below.

DC Empanadas
DC Empanadas was named one of our healthiest quick lunches from DC Food Trucks. The empanadas are fried, but having one with a salad wouldn’t be the worst. The black beans and rice or vegetable curry are both delicious and great vegetarian options.

Rappahannock Oysters
“Oysters aren’t the best seafood for you, but they have important nutrients,” says dietitian Carlene Thomas. They contain a wealth of immunity-boosting zinc, and are high in protein and B vitamins. But have them in moderation—they contain higher levels of fat and cholesterol compared with other fish.

DC Mediterranean Corner
The Mediterranean diet is touted for promoting healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables, so head over to the new Union Market vendor DC Mediterranean Corner for some nutritious eats such as hummus, tabbouleh, and spinach pies.

Neopol Savory Smokery
If you’re looking for a fresh salad or sandwich, head over to Neopol. The Baltimore-based vendor works with local farms and small businesses to create delicious items like tossed salmon salad, which contains apples, capers, and red onion, or the vegetarian TLT sandwich, a pile of marinated smoked tofu with tomato, mixed greens, and house-made curry dressing.

TaKorean
Fortunately the beloved food truck has a permanent stand at Union Market. Stick to two tacos and go for the caramelized tofu topped with fresh ingredients. The dish is high in protein and low in fat—just go easy on the toppings, since one tablespoon of Sriracha contains 580 milligrams of sodium.

Trickling Springs Creamery
If you’re just looking for a quick snack, you can’t go wrong with Trickling Springs Creamery yogurt. The milk is from grass-fed local cows, and yogurt contains a wealth of protein and immune-boosting probiotics. Plus these yogurts are made with all-natural ingredients and sweeteners and real fruit.