Sandra Gal diary: Healthy food in NYC

Editor's note: This season LPGA golfer Sandra Gal will be writing a weekly diary for USA TODAY Sports to share her adventures on the Tour.

So I've just spent a week in NYC. It is an absolute love-hate relationship. As someone who grew up in the German country-side I feel slightly claustrophobic in Manhattan, the rush makes me dizzy and once a day I have to escape to Central Park to breathe in some O2. On the flipside, I love to watch the diversity of people showing off their individuality, I absolutely adore Broadway shows, I get carried away shopping (shocker) and really fancy exploring innovative and alternative restaurants.

Coming from a foodie family and being an athlete, I really watch what I eat because a) I want to make the most out of the energy I have, b) I am very conscious and concerned about where food comes from and c) I like to eat things that taste good and feel good. And NYC has plenty of options.

My number one rule is to buy and eat organic and/or local products whenever I can. I have no interest in eating pesticides or hormones or GMO products, if I don't have to. Very few people realize however, that organic foods actually are much richer and more flavorful in taste. Just try it. Buy a regular tomato or cucumber and an organic one and I swear you will taste the difference.

I don't do well with gluten or dairy and have made the choice of cutting out meat, but that is everyone's personal choice. I only needed to see one video of how animals are treated on meat/dairy farms and that was enough for me not to support that system. I feel that with animals raised in the wild it is a little different story. But that is a very long ethical discussion.

Being a melting pot of so many diverse and interesting people also means that there are niches for everyone's preferences in NYC. So finding organic, local or vegetarian places comes as easy as spotting a yellow cab. Well almost. Try some apps on your smartphone or in my case a local friend, who showed me some cool places in the meat-packing district.

But don't get me wrong or don't get on my back if I post a picture of eating ice-cream – I am all about breaking the rules once in a while. Moderation is the key. Just like NYC.