{"id":851701,"date":"2026-09-18T04:10:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T04:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/851701\/"},"modified":"2026-09-18T04:10:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T04:10:34","slug":"health-wellness-top-5-cooling-and-healthy-eats-in-annandale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/851701\/","title":{"rendered":"Health & Wellness: Top 5 cooling and healthy eats in Annandale"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"A poke bowl from Hana Poke.<\/p>\n

By Rachel Martin<\/p>\n

Summer may be winding down, but we\u2019re not quite done with the heat yet.<\/p>\n

Most mornings may start with temperatures in the 70s, but by afternoon, Annandale can still feel like the middle of summer. So, before we trade our iced drinks and fresh salads for soups and comfort foods, I wanted to share five of my favorite cooling, fresh, and healthy dining options around Annandale.<\/p>\n

This may have been my most fun assignment since I started writing health and wellness articles for Annandale Today. I spent some time around town tasting different options and looking for meals that are refreshing without leaving you feeling weighed down.<\/p>\n

I narrowed my favorites down to five categories: breakfast, beverage, lunch, appetizer, and dinner.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t tried these places yet, consider this your excuse to check them out before fall arrives.<\/p>\n

(1) Breakfast \u2013 avocado toast from Underdog Coffee and Bread<\/a> (7109 Columbia Pike).<\/p>\n

There are plenty of great choices at Underdog, including acai bowls, iced coffee, and homemade lemonade. But my personal favorite for a summer breakfast is the fully loaded avocado toast with egg, arugula, tomatoes, and avocado.<\/p>\n

You get a nice combination of protein, healthy fats, vegetables, and carbohydrates in one meal, while the fresh toppings keep it feeling light.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re a coffee fan, don\u2019t skip the coffee. They have plenty of iced and frozen options that are perfect for a warm afternoon.<\/p>\n

\"\"Avocado toast from Underdog Coffee and Bread.<\/p>\n

(2) Beverage \u2013 the Mango Refresher drink from Cafe Hive<\/a> (4260 John Marr Drive).<\/p>\n

Cafe Hive has become a popular stop in Annandale, and I\u2019m guessing their cold coffees and matcha lattes are probably more popular than my pick.<\/p>\n

But I have a soft spot for their Mango Refresher. It reminded me of the fresh fruit juices you find in tropical climates. There was a freshness to the mango flavor that you don\u2019t always get from a typical juice or bottled drink.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for something cold and fruity instead of another coffee, this is worth a try.<\/p>\n

(3) Lunch \u2013 a poke bowl from Hana Poke<\/a> (4364 John Marr Drive).<\/p>\n

Located inside Garden Social<\/a> in the Eastgate Shopping Center, Hana Poke is a newer addition to the Annandale food scene.<\/p>\n

You can build your bowl with a variety of protein options, including tuna, salmon, tofu, shrimp, and chicken. Add vegetables and your choice of rice, greens, or noodles, and you\u2019ve got a meal that checks a lot of boxes.<\/p>\n

Related story: Health & Wellness: You\u2019re being sold a better life, thousands of times a day<\/a><\/p>\n

One of my favorite things about a good poke bowl is how easy it is to get protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates all in one meal. The combination of chilled fish, ginger, seaweed salad, and fresh toppings makes it especially refreshing on a hot day.<\/p>\n

You can eat inside Garden Social or take your bowl outside to the updated patio. And if you\u2019re looking for somewhere to watch the game, you can catch it on the big screen at the bar.<\/p>\n

(4) Appetizer \u2013 summer rolls from Pho Hai Duong<\/a> (4231 Markham St.)<\/p>\n

Sometimes you don\u2019t need a big meal. You just need something fresh, light, and satisfying.<\/p>\n

\"\"Pho Hai Duong\u2019s summer rolls.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where the summer rolls from Pho Hai Duong come in.<\/p>\n

Wrapped in rice paper, these rolls include shrimp, vermicelli noodles, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, and fresh herbs. They\u2019re served with your choice of peanut dipping sauce or sweet chili sauce for a little extra flavor.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re cool, crunchy, refreshing, and easy to share\u2014which makes them a great option for a hot summer afternoon or as a lighter meal on their own.<\/p>\n

(5) Dinner \u2013 Longevity Seaweed Salad from Chay<\/a> (6351 Columbia Pike at Barcroft Plaza).<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll admit it: I\u2019m biased toward Chay. As a mostly plant-based eater, there are several things on their menu that I love.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the funny thing: I had been eating at Chay regularly for about two years before I finally tried the Longevity Seaweed Salad. There were just too many other favorites to choose from.<\/p>\n

This salad is a perfect summer meal, with thinly julienned vegetables, a light sauce, and crunchy rice chips. I especially love the snow mushrooms, crunchy celery, and fresh bell peppers.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s fresh and satisfying without feeling heavy \u2013 the kind of dinner that works particularly well when it\u2019s still hot outside but you\u2019re ready for something more substantial than a snack.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let summer go just yet. Fall will be here before we know it, bringing cooler temperatures, warm meals, and a whole new list of seasonal favorites.<\/p>\n

But for now, there\u2019s still time to enjoy the fresh, colorful, cooling foods that make summer eating so enjoyable. One of the best things about Annandale is that you don\u2019t have to go far to find something new.<\/p>\n

So, if you haven\u2019t tried one of these five spots yet, pick one and give it a try before summer is officially over. You just might discover your new favorite local meal.<\/p>\n

Rachel Martin, a certified personal trainer and life coach, is the owner of the\u00a0Connection Wellness Center<\/a>\u00a0at 4113 John Marr Drive in Annandale.<\/p>\n