AP Photo: Healthy options are all over NYC.

New York City is well-known for its food, in terms of variety as well as quality. Aside from being renowned for its pizza and bagels, this city has a lot to offer with regard to health food (or at least, healthier food) restaurants and shops.

Energy Kitchen

With eight different locations in Manhattan and one in New Jersey, Energy Kitchen is one place that tends to be available, no matter which section of the city you happen to be in. This restaurant's goal is to keep its meals as delicious as they are nutritious, and they pay extra-special attention to the nutritious part of that equation. There no items on the menu that exceed a 500 calorie limit (in a world where the average fast food meal is over 1000) and fried foods are not available - every type of food they have is steamed, baked, grilled, or, of course, raw. Some of their healthiest offerings include an ostrich burger, which boasts an impressive 29 grams of protein despite its mere 271 calories, and their protein punch smoothie, which offers the same amount of protein while containing even fewer calories.

Spring St. Natural Restaurant

One of the most popular health food restaurants in New York City happens to be located at 62 Spring Street, on the corner of Lafayette. This restaurant's goal is to focus on natural foods, and to avoid the more processed type. They offer options for people on a variety of different eating plans, as there are plenty of good food choices for vegans, vegetarians, omnivores, and people on macrobiotic diets. All of the poultry they serve is free range. Some of the healthiest options on their menu include an organic rice and vegetable dinner and a grilled chicken burger.

Maoz Vegetarian Restaurant

Maoz is a restaurant that fits right into the health-conscious spirit of Union Square, a place well-known for its farmers market.  This restaurant is strictly vegetarian, and like the Spring St. Natural Restaurant, it aims to keep its ingredients natural and simple.  Some of the most notable things on the menu include the famous Maoz sandwich, which features pita bread and falafel balls, and a salad box, that customers can order along with fresh juice.