January. Traditionally the month of restraint, restrictions and resolutions, with many of us choosing to cut back on the booze, start a new exercise regime and/or transform our diets after the Christmas indulgence.
And while most of us are unlikely to succeed in totally transforming our lives this month, it is a good time to reset, wean yourself off the constant stream of cheese, pigs in blankets and mince pies, and punt for some healthier options instead.
But there's no need to punish yourself. Healthy food does not have to mean dry crackers, sad soups and limp lettuce leaves. And it doesn't necessarily mean a ban on eating out either.
We've pulled together some great options for eating well this year, without losing the will to live.
Now, everyone has a different idea of what healthy means and the below dishes are unlikely to fit into some of the more restrictive diets, such as keto, paleo or carb-free regimes, but they do offer well-balanced choices, with lots of fresh and vibrant ingredients that will leave you feeling satisfied.
This is about moderation, not deprivation.
Read on for a guide to some great healthier options in Manchester, that don't necessarily look, or taste, like healthy options.
Banditos Burrito
The burrito is a dish that regularly appears to defy the laws of physics by managing to cram more food than is seemingly possible inside a tortilla.
Classically they are packed full of rice, meat, cheese, beans and a range of sauces, fitting nicely into a handy portable package.
Ok, so burritos aren't normally healthy, but luckily one of Manchester's burrito bars has stepped in to rectify the situation for January.
Banditos has created a superfood burrito (£6) which is available throughout the month.
It is packed full of goodness and vegan to boot, consisting of a beetroot tortilla wrap topped with grilled jackfruit, quinoa, pickled red cabbage and guacamole.
The healthy burrito is also available as a 'naked box', where the ingredients are served as a salad in a box without the tortilla wrap.
And if jackfruit and quinoa aren't your thing, any of the classic burritos such as mango chicken or chimichurri beef can also be served as a naked box for a lower-carb alternative.
BAB
Let's continue this undercover health foods with a dish that is certainly not at the top of many people's healthy recipes list - the kebab.
At new Northern Quarter restaurant BAB, the kebabs are far removed from a late night greasy doner.
Homemade flatbreads are piled with crunchy slaw, homemade sauces and pickled chillies, with toppings such as lamb adana with feta labneh, radicchio and pomegranate (£9.50); chicken with hummus and peppers (£8.50); falafel with harrisa and pistachio (£8.50); and halloumi with carrots, currants, crisps and an orange dressing (£8).
As an added bonus, all their kebabs are half price from Monday to Thursday throughout January.
There is also a range of 'non-BAB' mains available such as pan fried stone bass with winter tabbouleh and capers, as well as a range of mezze, such as creamy hummus, grilled octopus and a super-fresh radicchio and orange salad.
It's often said that it's good to eat a rainbow of foods, meaning having a plate that includes foods of a range of colours, which each contain certain health-boosting vitamins.
Well, if you follow that rule, then BAB certainly ticks the colourful boxes with its vibrant kebabs showcasing the entire spectrum of colour. And they're delicious to boot.
View the full menu here.
Zouk
Praise be! Curry can be healthy.
But no, this does not mean you can order one of the ghee-filled curries with a side of cheese naan, poppadoms, bhajis and the like from your local takeaway and pretend that you are the embodiment of health. It's all about making the right choices.
Indian restaurant Zouk has a range of healthier dishes that still pack a fiery punch, such as chicken haleem - thin chicken strips mixed with lentils and cracked wheat - or the king prawn and baby spinach dish, served up sizzling hot at the table, made with fresh spinach, ginger and delicate spices.
Plus, the vegetable tikka is a rich and spicy curry filled with fresh seasonal vegetables, and there's a marinated salmon dish for fish lovers.
As well as the traditional tiffin lunch deal, Zouk also serves a healthier tiffin grill option (£7.95), which includes skewers of either chicken and lamb or paneer and vegetables, coated in the Zouk tikka marinade and grilled over hot coals.
The tiffin grill is served with a green salad, Zouk’s hummus and a freshly-baked naan.
Read more about Zouk's healthy options here.
Shoryu Ramen
A traditional Japanese diet is often touted as good for your health, with plenty of vegetables, pickled and fermented foods, moderate amounts of animal products and soy, but minimal dairy and fruit.
One of the best options for winter is, of course, a nourishing bowl of ramen.
Again, not all options fit the bill for the health conscious diner, such as the rich tonkotsu ramen topped with pork belly or chicken karaage (Japanese fried chicken), but there are many fresh options to choose from.
Especially for January, Shoryu Ramen in Piccadilly Gardens has created an 'detox' set menu where diners can enjoy a Zen Detox mocktail (lime, mint, pineapple juice and matcha green tea powder), two healthy salad sides and a vegan ramen, all for £18.
Choose two sides from edamame, Goma Kyuri cucumber or Wakame seaweed salad, and either an atsuage tofu and kikurage mushroom ramen, or a spicy miso sauce, broccoli and garlic ramen.
View the full menu here.
Mi and Pho
Like ramen, pho has to be up there as one of the best winter warmers out there.
The hearty broth is scented with cinnamon, cloves, coriander and star anise, filled with flat noodles and served with fresh lime and herbs on the side to add to taste.
Manchester now has a wealth of great Vietnamese restaurants to dine in, with Nam opening in Ancoats last year, Viet Shack with their Manchester Arndale stall and new sit-down restaurant on Great Ancoats Street, as well as popular chain Pho in the Corn Exchange and Vnam on Oldham Street to name a few.
Another great option for Vietnamese outside of the city centre is the award-winning restaurant, Mi and Pho in Northenden.
Their large menu features a range of traditional dishes, including fresh summer rolls, bahn mi, an array of rice and noodle dishes and seven types of pho.
The broth is made using beef and chicken bones, which have been left to simmer for at least six hours, served with rice noodles, herbs and beansprouts.
Priced between £8.50 to £9, toppings include steak (rare or well done), chicken, duck, prawn, "special" (a mix of beef, steak and chicken) and vegetarian with tofu and vegetables - make sure to ask for vegetarian broth if you are a veggie.
Find out more here miandpho.com.
Turtle Bay
Finally, fight off the winter weather and inject some Caribbean sunshine into your diet.
Popular chain, Turtle Bay has plenty of options for those looking for healthier dishes this month.
First off, the classic jerk chicken (£10.90 for half) is marinated for 24 hours in their signature mix and is then grilled over hot coals. It normally comes served with coconut rice ‘n’ peas and Caribbean slaw but it can also be made into a beach salad board for £1 for an extra hit of nutritious veggies.
Turtle Bay's one pot dishes are rich, slowly simmered stews and curries, served with steamed rice and roti flatbread.
For the health conscious diner, stick to the fish, veggie and vegan stews such as; king prawns with mango, sweet potatoes and Caribbean spices (£11.50); salmon in a coconut curry sauce with garlic, ginger and scotch bonnet (£11.50); or aubergine and sweet potato in a fragrant curry sauce (£10).
There are vibrant salads too, such as the Supervital Green Salad (£7.50) which is loaded with goodness including kale, avocado, pomegranate and toasted coconut, or there's the Festival Salad (£7.50) with avocado, mango, butternut squash ribbons and rainbow beets.
These can be served as is, or finished off with a range of toppings including garlic and chilli prawns, grilled chicken breast and Caribbean hummus.
There's also a dedicated vegan and vegetarian menu, for those taking on Veganuary this year.
To book, visit turtlebay.co.uk.
