Health-Conscious Eaters: Did You Know This Place Was a Thing?

The Lansing area has outstanding dining options. Pretty much whatever you're in the mood for, there are at least three places within a 15-minute drive that can quench your cravings and leave you feeling satisfied.

But for those of us who are trying to be health-conscious, the options are a little more limited. No one wants to walk into a restaurant and ask the kitchen to make all sorts of omissions and substitutions to suit our particular dietary requirements. There's a place in the Frandor area that's fit for all.

It's easy to miss Leaf Salad Bar in East Lansing. It's tucked right behind Baryames Cleaners in that intersection where Grand River and Saginaw cross over each other. (There's another location on Jolly Road in Okemos.)

It's a self-serve salad bar where you're charged by the ounce. (Current prices are $0.62 per ounce, which equates to just under $10 a pound - which is a pretty big salad.)

There's a selection of greens to include hearts of romaine, baby spinach, mixed greens and kale. Moving left-to-right along the bar, you then encounter an enormous variety of fresh veggies to add to your plate--ranging from the standard cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, carrots and celery to salad topping choices that aren't found just everywhere, such as asparagus, noodled zucchini, red kidney beans and three different kinds of olives. (See the list of nearly 40 fresh veggie offerings here.)

You can then choose from among more than a dozen fresh fruit choices to add to your plate, including multiple kinds of berries, mandarin oranges, honeydew and watermelon. There are almost as many protein choices as well--including chicken breast, smoked turkey, chicken salad, tuna salad, bacon and tofu.

Want some cheese on that? Select from bleu, cheddar, feta, mozzarella, parmesan or smoked gouda. A wide selection of other salad toppers is available as well, from sun-dried cranberries and dates, to croutons and tortilla strips.

The bar also includes nearly 20 different types of salad dressing.

And since you're making your own salad, you can take as much or as little of each ingredient you want! Weigh your creation and pay at the end; dine-in or take it to go.

Leaf Salad Bar also offers made-to-order smoothies and a number of soups as well, including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options.