Healthy in Thredbo

Zoë Fitzpatrick of Zo Good Healthy Food (@zo_good)

If you’re not a fan of hot chips, or you’ve just had one too many pies and hot choccies at the snow, don’t worry – there are other options. The #healthyfood scene is bustling in the cities, and if you’re like me and on the health train, you’ll be just as stoked as I am to hear that Thredbo is breaking tradition and giving us a bunch of delicious and nourishing foodie options on and off the mountain.

ACAI BOWLS. Let’s be real, #acai is pretty much an excuse to have ice cream for brekky –without the guilt! If you don’t know what acai is, it’s the name of an exotic berry and is renowned for its health benefits such as promoting heart health and improving digestion. But more to the point, it’s blended with a bunch of frozen fruits and topped with granola for a delicious ice-creamy-type breakfast bowl that even the most religious of hot-chip worshippers can’t resist.

For my fellow acai-ssinators, get excited, because Thredbo village café Central Road does an incredible Acai bowl – served on a rustic board with an abundance of fruit and topped with delicious paleo muesli (do your best not to eat the bowl straight off your screen). This café is an absolute must-visit, and not just for the acai! They use all local produce including a delicious spelt bread and local free range eggs. Central Road has a range of delicious and healthy options, as well as plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options for those with dietary requirements. My tips: you can’t go past the smashed avo on spelt toast – or on gluten free corn tortillas – and if you’re craving a warm drink, why don’t you swap that hot choocie for a luxurious turmeric or matcha latte and nourish your insides while you’re at it. The menu also has a bunch of delicious, fresh Asian-inspired meals to change things up from your regular snow-food-fare like hot endamame beans and beautiful laksas.

MOUNTAIN MUNCHIES? What about when you’re on the mountain – you’ll need some top quality fuel to get your shredding-style in top shape. Don’t stress – Merritts Mountain House has you covered with a huge range of fresh healthy meals and snacks to get back out on the mountain and raring to go. There’s an even bigger range of fresh food this year: freshly squeezed juices and electrolyte-filled drinking coconuts are always available to give you that healthy hit. What’s more – there is a range of traditional hot meals packed with veggies, but they also have a great choice of freshly made sandwiches and wraps, with vegetarian options, for a quick and healthy lunch. If you’re looking for a snack, my favourite are the delicious chia pods. Superfood chia is a tiny seed packed with an incredible amount of nutrients for its size, full of calcium, magnesium, fiber and protein, and blended with yoghurt and fresh food and topped with museli, these little guys pack a delicious and energetic punch when you need a quick pick-me-up or if you’re like me and just get the afternoon munchies.

These are just a couple of the yummy healthy options in Thredbo. If that’s not your thing, there’s still plenty of traditional comfort-food, but if you’re in the market for a healthier choice, it’s not all schnitzel and schnapps, so come down and check out #HealthyThredbo for yourself. (And don’t forget to tag: if you didn’t post it on your gram, that acai never happened 😉 )