Festival season in New Orleans always gives us a reason to celebrate: the music, the art, the energy, and of course, the food. Our city comes alive with block parties and festivals nearly every weekend – and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell is next-level festing, with food that’s as legendary as the music.
I’m thrilled to share that, for the third year now, we’ll have Eat Fit options on vendor menus across the fairgrounds. And while eating healthfully may not be the first thing to come to mind as you’re planning your Jazz Fest experience, these Eat Fit dishes aren’t just about being good for us. Thoughtfully prepared with bold flavors and quality ingredients, these dishes are also go-to crowd favorites, regardless of nutritional profile, and offer options for a range of dietary restrictions and needs.
What is Eat Fit?
If you’ve spotted the Eat Fit seal around town, you know it’s part of a nonprofit initiative designed to make it easier for people to find nutritious, flavorful meals at restaurants and special events. Eat Fit items offer a better-for-you twist on local favorites. The criteria include little or no added sugar, no refined white carbs, limited animal fats, and an emphasis on whole grains, plant-based fats, lean proteins, and plenty of fresh produce.
We’ve collaborated with more than two dozen vendors at Jazz Fest to highlight their healthier dishes. Thanks to these partnerships, you can still soak up every bit of the festival’s culinary magic while feeling your best.
The full list of Eat Fit–approved dishes at Jazz Fest is available on the free Eat Fit mobile app where you can browse fest vendors, view photos and nutrition facts and narrow down the dishes that fit your personal preferences. Consider it your go-to guide for festival fueling that’s both satisfying and mindful.
Something for Everyone
Whether you’re following a gluten-free diet, keeping an eye on carbs or looking for more plant-based options, you can find something to suit your needs. Here are a few of my favorite dishes for some of the more common nutritional parameters. And of course, this is just a taste of what’s out there – there are more than 30 Eat Fit options available across the festival this year.
Low-Carb:
• Skewered Shrimp or Beef from Bahn Minh: Perfectly marinated and grilled, these kebabs make it easy to keep it low-carb and protein-rich while still enjoying bold Vietnamese flavors.
• Sunflower Green Salad with Grilled Gulf Shrimp from Ten Talents Catering: Crisp greens, fresh shrimp, and a dressing that won’t weigh you down.
Gluten-Free:
• Shrimp & Lump Crab Ravigote from Papa Ninety Catering: Cool, crisp romaine topped with a chilled shrimp and crabmeat in a creamy ravigote.
• Handmade Tacos: Fresh Gulf Fish, Grilled Shrimp, or Grilled Veggies from Tempero’s Market Kitchen are served up on handmade corn tortillas with the freshest veggies and local gulf seafood.
Dairy-Free:
• Grilled Shrimp Pikliz from Fritai: Pikliz (pronounced pick-lees) is a crunchy, spicy slaw-like medley of cabbage, carrots and peppers. This dish from Charley Pierre of Fritai pairs it with grilled shrimp and crispy plantains.
• Café Au Lait or Iced Coffee from New Orleans Coffee Company offers the option of unsweetened almond milk, perfect for a mid-fest pick-me-up.
Vegetarian:
• Fried Brussels Sprouts from Smoke Street Catering: Roasted or fried until crispy, these just might be the best Brussels sprouts I’ve ever tasted.
• Jama Jama from Bennachin: Savory and slightly smokey sauteed spinach, piled high atop the plate.
Vegan:
• Spicy Grilled Tofu & Veggies with Peanut Sauce from Gambian Foods: Eat Fit with double veggies in place of couscous or pita. This dish has a kick – and the added bonus of being served up with the broad, welcoming smile of co-owner Charlie Mendy.
• Vegetarian Red Beans from Burks & Douglas (Eat Fit without the rice) is a quintessential NOLA dish, and completely plant-based.
Important Note
While these categories (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan and low-carb) are based on the recipes provided by each vendor, the final preparation methods may vary in a bustling festival environment. Traces of other ingredients may be present, so for those with strict nutritional needs, we recommend talking with the vendor directly.
