Bali’s vibrant food culture, diverse flavours, and abundant fresh produce make it one of the world’s most exciting culinary destinations. But here’s the truth many travellers only realise halfway through their trip: it is possible to indulge in Bali’s famous dishes and still feel light, energised, and glowing without sacrificing pleasure or relying on post-holiday detox plans.
After a decade of serving thousands of travellers at Avocado Resto in Medewi, we’ve consistently observed one pattern: the guests who enjoy Bali’s cuisine the most are those who follow simple, flexible eating strategies rather than strict diets. They eat nasi campur at a warung, sip coconuts on the beach, enjoy grilled seafood at sunset and still wake up ready to surf at dawn.
Below are eight proven strategies that help you enjoy Bali’s flavours across Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, Pemuteran, and West Bali without ever feeling deprived.
1. Combine Protein + Healthy Fat + Fibre at Every Meal
This trio stabilises blood sugar, prevents bloating, and sustains energy.
Example: Instead of ordering plain nasi goreng (mostly refined carbs), add telur ceplok for protein, include tempeh or chicken satay, and request extra cucumber or kangkung for fibre.
At Avocado Resto:
Dishes like Avo Eggs Benedict, Tempeh Curry, and the Avocado Boom Smoothie Bowl already follow this formula naturally.
2. Half Your Plate Should Be Plants
Balinese home cooking is rich in vegetables follow the same template. If plants don’t fill 50 % of your plate, you’re eating tourist-style rather than Bali-style.
Warung tip: Make gado-gado, pecel, or urap-urap your main dish, not a side.
At Avocado Resto: Salads and vegetable sides come in generous portions designed to keep you satisfied without feeling heavy.
3. Hydrate Before You Eat
In Bali’s tropical climate, even doing nothing can deplete 1–2 litres of fluid per hour. Drink a glass of water, herbal tea, or fresh coconut before your meal. It reduces cravings, supports digestion, and prevents overeating.
At Avocado Resto: Guests receive complimentary lime-coconut water to hydrate before ordering.
4. Choose Grilled Over Fried (Aim for 80/20)
Deep-fried snacks are delicious in moderation, but daily portions quickly lead to inflammation. Focus on grilled, steamed, or lightly stir-fried dishes.
Choose: sate lilit, ikan bakar, ayam panggang
Limit: pisang goreng, deep-fried tempeh, overly sweet sauces
At Avocado Resto: The coconut-shell grill runs all day, producing smoky, light dishes like mahi-mahi, chicken, and tempeh.
5. Use Spice and Acid to Make Healthy Food Feel Indulgent
Balinese cuisine excels at this: sambal matah, lime, tamarind, and fresh chili elevate simple foods instantly.
Warung hack: Ask for sambal on the side and squeeze jeruk limau over vegetables.
At Avocado Resto: Fermented sambal and kaffir-lime dressings turn even a bowl of greens into something addictive.
6. Reserve Natural Sugar for the Afternoon
Morning sugar spikes cortisol; afternoon sweetness feels like dessert without the crash.
Morning: avocado, eggs, greens
Afternoon treat: mango, mangosteen, salak, passionfruit
At Avocado Resto: Morning smoothie bowls are low-sugar, while afternoon bowls contain more fruit for a gentle energy lift.
7. Eat One Fermented Food Daily
Travel can disrupt digestion. Fermented foods keep your gut balanced and your immunity strong.
Options: tempeh, tape, coconut kefir, fermented sambal, brem
At Avocado Resto: Every plate includes at least one fermented component effortless gut support.
8. Stop Eating 3–4 Hours Before Sleep
Balinese families traditionally eat early. Following this routine helps regulate circadian rhythm, supports deep sleep, and reduces morning sluggishness.
If you’re out late, choose light meals: soto ayam, grilled fish, salad, or fresh fruit.
At Avocado Resto: The kitchen closes at 8:30 p.m. to align with healthy dining hours.
A Day of Eating the Bali Way (Healthy and Happy)
7:30 a.m. – Avocado Boom Smoothie Bowl + lemongrass tea
10:00 a.m. – Fresh young coconut
1:00 p.m. – Sate lilit + urap-urap + sambal matah
4:00 p.m. – Salak or passionfruit from a roadside stall
7:00 p.m. – Grilled mahi-mahi + kangkung plecing
This sample day lets you eat at multiple places, try local flavours, and still feel light enough for sunrise yoga no guilt, no digestive issues, no food fatigue.
Here’s the secret: traditional Balinese cooking is inherently healthy. The “problem” is the modern tourist version oversized portions, deep-frying, extra rice, sugary sauces. When you flip the ratio back to vegetables, herbs, grilled proteins, and fresh spices, Bali becomes the easiest place in the world to eat well.
If you’re in West Bali and want to experience healthy Balinese-inspired eating without overthinking every choice, you’re welcome to start your day at Avocado Resto in Medewi. With an emphasis on fresh vegetables, fermented elements, coconut-shell grilling, and slow, mindful cooking, every dish is designed to taste indulgent while keeping you energised for surf, yoga, or coastal adventures.
Your table is open, the grill is warm, and yes the avocados are perfectly ripe