CAVA Crowd Favorites, Made Diabetes-Smart: What to Order

If CAVA is one of your favorite spots to dine in, here’s our little guide to help you amp up the flavor while being mindful of your sugars. 

Let’s share a few of our favorite CAVA orders and simple swaps that can help you enjoy these crowd favorites while keeping your diabetes goals in mind.

 🥩 Want a CAVA Favorite? Try These Simple Swaps

You don’t always want to stand at the counter building the “perfect” bowl. Sometimes, you just want to order what’s on the menu. We get it!

Here are a few popular CAVA favorites and ways you can make them a more diabetes-smart choice.

1. Chicken + Rice

CAVA’s Chicken + Rice comes with grilled chicken, hummus, tzatziki, feta, vegetables, brown rice, and Greek vinaigrette.

Try this: Keep the grilled chicken, veggies, hummus, and tzatziki. If you’re watching your carbohydrate intake, consider asking for less rice and adding more greens or vegetables instead.

2. Harissa Avocado

This bowl brings together harissa honey chicken, avocado, hummus, feta, corn, cucumber, pickled onions, rice, Super Greens, and harissa vinaigrette.

Try this: You don’t have to skip the avocado or hummus. Instead, consider a smaller portion of rice and go easy on the dressing. You’ll still get plenty of flavor, protein, and healthy fats.

3. Steak + Harissa

This bowl includes grilled steak, Crazy Feta, red pepper hummus, vegetables, brown rice, Super Greens, and harissa vinaigrette.

Try this: Keep the steak and vegetables, and consider reducing the rice or asking for dressing on the side. This can help you be more mindful of the carbohydrate portion without giving up the flavors you enjoy.

Remember: You don’t have to avoid carbs completely when you have diabetes. The amount that works for you depends on your health, medications, activity, and individual diabetes care plan.

 🧀 Prefer to Build Your Own Bowl? Start Here.

When you’re building your own bowl at CAVA, think about how you usually put together a balanced meal at home. You probably already know what works for you—some protein, plenty of vegetables, and a sensible portion of carbs.

You can use the same idea when you’re eating out. Here’s how to put it together:

1. Pick Your Base

Start with greens such as romaine, arugula, spinach, Super Greens, or Power Greens.

Want grains? That’s okay, too! Brown rice or black lentils can be part of your meal. Just be mindful of your portion.

2. Add Protein

Choose a protein you enjoy, such as grilled chicken, steak, or salmon. Protein can help you feel full and has less effect on blood sugar than carbohydrate-rich foods.

3. Load Up on Veggies

Add cucumber, tomato + onion, broccoli, or slaw for more color, crunch, fiber, and nutrients.

4. Choose Your Dips and Dressing

Hummus, tzatziki, and other dips can add plenty of flavor. You don’t need to skip them. Just be mindful of portions, and consider asking for your dressing on the side.

5. Don’t Forget Your Drink

Water, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water are simple choices. CAVA currently offers all three.

🥙 The Bottom Line

You don’t have to give up CAVA because you live with diabetes. Whether you order a favorite bowl or build your own, a few simple swaps can help you create a meal that fits your diabetes care goals.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s finding choices that work for you—and enjoying your meal along the way!

Disclaimer: Any information provided is not intended as medical advice. Iowa Diabetes is not responsible for any information from third parties.