Portland Wellness Trends for Healthy Living

Portland has long been recognized as a healthy city, with a population that is likely to recycle, stay active and eat fresh, local foods. These days, there are more healthy options than ever, making it even easier to prioritize a healthy lifestyle, even on busy days.

Here are some of our favorite new trends that will help you stay healthy and active in the new year.

Healthy Fast Food

Restaurants like Laughing Planet have nailed the formula for tasty healthy food for people on the go. Bonus – it’s kid friendly, too. With locations all over the city, Laughing Planet makes it easy to grab a quick and healthy lunch.

A variety of other quick serve restaurants with healthy options are popping up, too. You’ll find fresh made-to-order salads, poké and more.

Smoothies and Juice Bars

With white walls, a plethora of plants and a fresh atmosphere, these health-focused establishments are popping up in just about every neighborhood. On those days when you need a dose of fruits and vegetables to get back on track, a juice bar can save the day.

You may find menu items or ingredients that you don’t recognize, such as acai or ashwagandha. Don’t be shy about asking the counter staff to enlighten you. These days, it seems new superfoods are declared every few months.

So what is the best smoothie bar in Portland? You’ll have to decide! There are plenty to choose from - so start exploring today.

Eating a Plant Based Diet in Portland

Portland has long been a haven for vegetarians and vegans, as well as all sorts of other dietary preferences. An extension of the city’s focus on inclusion, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for ingredient substitutions and expect to see a variety of dietary options on the menu. No matter what your dietary preferences, there is probably a restaurant that specializes in crafting the tastiest menu items to within that realm.

From delectable vegan donuts and surprisingly flaky gluten free pie crusts to wacky sushi burritos and cusom poké bowls popping up like crazy – you can easily eat well in Portland!

Wellness Classes

Whether it’s yoga, pilates, barre, Zumba, crossfit, spinning or the many other forms of popular fitness disciplines, you’ll find a gym or studio in nearly every Portland neighborhood with a expert instructors to keep you motivated.

Many locations offer a trial membership so you can check out a few classes and discover what’s right for you. When searching for studios, gyms and classes, first look through the class schedule to make sure the types of classes you want fit your schedule. Each location has a vastly different schedule, from early morning offerings to daytime classes for those with a flexible or non-standard work schedule.

Get Active at Sunday Parkways

Every Sunday from May through September, the City of Portland hosts Sunday Parkways, a network of streets for walking, biking, rolling or strolling free from cars. The routes are typically 5-9 miles with a different part of the city highlighted each month.

Parks along the routes are the activity hubs, offering zumba classes, climbing walls, circus arts for kids, food carts, info booths and so much more.

Most people don’t think about it, but Portland’s largest open spaces are actually our streets, which are typically occupied with cars. It is so cool to see these areas packed with people instead. Sometimes you’ll even spot someone in a wheelchair gleefully cruising down the middle of the street, undoubtedly grateful for the opportunity to move freely without the many obstacles that can make it difficult to wheel in a dense urban environment.

The City of Portland drew inspiration for Sunday Parkways from a similar weekly event in Bogotá, Colombia called Ciclovía. After 8 years of success, Portland now receives calls from city planners all over the world asking for suggestions on how to start a Sunday Parkways style event. This fun summertime event is not to be missed!

Go for a Hike

Forest Park is one of the largest urban forest in the US, with some 5,100 acres of land and approximately 70 miles of trails, many of which start from near downtown Portland. In mere minutes the entire bustling city fades away as you sink into a lush forest that’s sure to calm your mind and clear your lungs.

Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply looking for a flat and smooth trail for a mile or two, Forest Park has a trail for you. For an even more serene experience, head to the north end of Forest Park on a weekday and explore some of the lesser known trails like Newtown Road and the northern end of the expansive Wildwood Trail, which traverses the entire length of Forest Park.