Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, the renowned destination spa located just north of San Diego, was recently awarded the REAL Certified distinction by the United States Healthful Food Council (USHFC). The REAL Certification is emerging as a beacon for consumers seeking healthful and sustainable food.
The USHFC is a nonprofit dedicated to fighting diet-related disease by helping to align the food industry’s financial incentives with consumers’ health interests. In order to qualify as REAL Certified, independent registered dietitians assessed Cal-a-Vie Health Spa’s food practices across a range of nutrition and sustainability criteria, including Responsible (nutrition), Epicurean (preparation), Agricultural (sourcing) and Leadership (going above and beyond). Those that satisfy the stringent necessary requirements are awarded REAL Certification.
The REAL Certification is emerging as a beacon for consumers seeking healthful and sustainable food.
Cal-a-Vie Health Spa earned high marks across the board in its assessment, achieving an overall score of 92 percent, including 100 percent compliance in the “Responsible” and “Epicurean” scoring categories.
“We are honored to have Cal-a-Vie Health Spa carry the nationally recognized REAL Certification. This mark of excellence solidifies Cal-a-Vie as a leader in the health and wellness industry and upholds our commitment to helping guests establish healthier relationships with food,” said Cal-a-Vie owner Terri Havens. “Cal-a-Vie’s enticing, healthy menu is prepared with local, sustainable ingredients, modeling that healthy eating can be easily elevated to gourmet status.”
In its score and summary of Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, the USHFC noted the resort’s “food preparation is exceptional, largely in part because of a focus on cooking in-house from scratch, using plant-based oils and incorporating healthy cooking practice.” The USHFC also praised Cal-a-Vie’s “many regionally and locally sourced primary food items, cage-free poultry, organic items” and use of sustainable seafood.