Before you run an IV of fat, sugar and tryptophan into your blood stream, you may want to try to fit in a few vitamins. Today we take a page from the “I don't want to die of a heart attack when I'm 45” playbook and tackle a vegetable drink so green it may very well be bacon lover's kryptonite (though if Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo want to try to construct a bacon infused kale juice, I'm happy to be their lab rat).

Our first version is at the hyper-cramped Beverly Hills Juice Club, where the drinks are made fresh each morning, then packaged up for quick service. The mossy looking substance is made from romaine, kale, celery, spinach and parsley, and has a surprisingly muted flavor for something so devoid of anything a five year-old would ever consume by choice. So for those people bracing for a gag reflex and only drinking it because their personal trainer made them do it, this plastic bottle of beta-Carotene abundance will leave them pleasantly surprised.

The healthiest thing to order at an already healthy restaurant?; Credit: N. Galuten

The healthiest thing to order at an already healthy restaurant?; Credit: N. Galuten

But if you already go to spin class, or pilates, or whatever exactly is popular now (are we over that whole stripper exercise class yet?), you also probably go to M Café de Chaya. Their veggies are pulverized to order (so as not to create what some health experts call “dead juice”), and the beverage comes stocked simply with kale, celery and parsley. The mellowing power of romaine is gone from the equation, but in its place you'll find a heartier, earthier and much more flavorful concoction. For some of you, flavor isn't exactly what you're looking for, but I still like to taste my food. That, mixed with the freshness, makes it today's winner. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready to drown all those essential minerals in some heavy gravy.

Beverly Hills Juice Club, 8382 Beverly Blvd, L.A., (323) 655-8300‎., M Café de Chaya, 7119 Melrose Ave, L.A., (323) 525-0588‎.

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