Thanks to the nation’s huge dining scene and plentiful takeaway options, it can be all too easy to let home cooking fall by the wayside.
However, being your own chef has multiple benefits. Spending time in the kitchen can be highly enjoyable and therapeutic, and it gives you total control over everything you put in your body. Not to mention it’s also a considerably cheaper lifestyle than constantly buying expensive meal plans, dinners out and endless deliveries.
Fortunately, the UAE’s many health food stores are here to help us fall back in love with nutritious and wholesome home-cooked meals. Offering everything from locally grown veggies to home-made nut milks, they provide all the ingredients and culinary inspiration you could ever need.
Euromercato
Whether you’re looking for almond flour, coconut sugar or other healthy baking supplies, breakfast favourites such as keto-friendly granola and sugar-free jam, or store cupboard essentials like gluten-free flour, olive oil and premium acacia honey, gourmet online supermarket Euromercato has it all. Here to bring the fresh, simple and timeless tastes of Italy to the UAE, the alluring ‘healthy selections’ section presents a wide range of organic, vegan, keto and free-from-artisan items that are all guaranteed to give you a radiant, Italian-like glow.
euromercato.ae.
GreenHeart Organic Farms
One of the UAE’s first and most highly regarded organic farms, GreenHeart invites you to boost your vitamin intake the natural way. Its colourful homegrown fruit and veggies are all picked straight from the earth in Sharjah, and the many other highlights of its enticing stock include the delightful vegan, keto and gluten-free products, handy meal kits, free-range eggs, sustainably sourced meats and home-made juices, smoothies and nut milks. The popular fruit and veg boxes are ideal for busy households, and the contents change every few weeks according to what’s in season. Along with its doorstep delivery options, the farm shop in Barsha, Dubai makes a charming day out, and it also pops up regularly at local markets.
greenheartuae.com.
Holland and Barrett
Founded over 150 years ago, British brand Holland and Barrett is a staple of any UK high street and the biggest health food empire in Europe. A paradise for ethical foodies, the extensive food and beverage selection includes a magnificent array of herbal teas, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, dairy-free alternatives, and organic pasta, rice and other staples. Meanwhile, the healthy protein bars, cookies, crisps and cereals are just as tasty as any of the less wholesome mainstream brands, and you won’t be able to resist piling your basket high every time you visit. With one branch in Abu Dhabi and four in Dubai, its vitamins and supplements can also be purchased online via BinSina Pharmacy.
@hollandandbarrettuae.
Organic Foods and Café
With nine branches spread across the country, Organic Foods and Café is arguably the UAE’s most well-known health-conscious super store. Selling over 10,000 hormone and chemical-free products, all sourced directly from family-run farms, the homegrown business offers freshly baked gluten-free breads, tasty local produce, sensational dairy items and a huge array of vegan products spanning snacks, yoghurts, milks, sauces, cakes and more. The baby and toddler section is filled with nourishing nibbles and meals for little ones, while the N&R Butchery app lets you order premium-quality meats whenever you need them. If you’re not sold already, it occasionally treats shoppers to ‘20 percent off weekend’ promotions, loyalty discounts and yoga pop ups. Keep an eye on its Instagram page to make sure you don’t miss out.
organicfoodsandcafe.com.
Soil
Started as a small kiosk back in 2016, Soil founder Salama Khalifa launched her business after becoming frustrated by the lack of reputable dairy, gluten and allergen-free food products in Abu Dhabi. Now boasting an online store and two welcoming spaces at Al Seef Village Mall and New York University, the brand is on a mission to help as many people as possible experience the joys and benefits of clean eating. Encompassing over 300 natural grocery items, Salama’s carefully curated collection spans vegan cheeses, organic grains and seeds, medicinal teas, dedicated ranges for vegan, keto and paleo diets, and much more. The delicious cold-pressed juices can be bought in bulk (ensuring you always have a stash on hand), while fitness fanatics are encouraged to fuel their workouts with a choice of plant-based protein powders. Convenient, brew-in-the-bag gourmet coffees remain one of Soil’s most popular best sellers.
soilstore.com.
