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Dining out needn't mean gaining pounds
Starlocalnews.com staff reports
Dining out is part of everyday life, whether it’s grabbing something on the way home from work, a special occasion, a romantic meal for two or just because you feel like it! The great news is that with a few handy tips, dining out doesn’t need to mean piling on the lbs.
Yvonne Sanders from Slimming World, the UK’s weight loss sensation that has just launched in North Dallas, Collin County and Denton County reviews her favorite restaurants and shares her hints for healthy eating out.
"Being new to Texas, and indeed to America, I’m keen to check out what the local eateries have to offer (although this project could see me through the next 20 years!). I’m delighted to report that you can eat out and still lose weight, you just need to make a few smart choices."
The Colony
Golden Corral, 4675 Highway 121, 75056
Yes, you really can still eat at an “eat as much as you want” buffet and lose weight – no problem!
Start with a pile on your plate from the Cold Bar. Choose the salads without the dressings and instead dress your own with one of the fat free options. Then make a visit (or 2 or 3!) to the Hot Bar and here the healthy options are endless – pork roast, chicken breast fillet, grilled pork chops, roast beef, hot steamed shrimp, salmon steaks, fresh steamed vegetables, corn on the cob, baked and sweet potatoes and much, much more! You really can fill your boots and not pile on the lbs! Even dessert can be without trauma (although one tip is to sit at the end of the restaurant furthest away from the Brass Bell Bakery!) as there are sugar free options such as strawberry cake.
Our kids genuinely do eat the most when we eat here, and in the main they go for the healthier options, because they love the colors of the fruits and salads – a little bit of what they fancy does them no harm at dessert time!
KO Sushi & Grill, 4904 Main St, 75056
Japanese Food is one of the healthiest choices for dining out – hard to believe from the country that gave us sumo wrestling!
With seafood, lean meat, rice and noodles in abundance, this restaurant is heaven if you want to eat out without gaining the lbs. With so many varieties of sushi on the menu, there’s one to suit every taste. I would highly recommend the Spider Roll – delicious! If raw fish is not your cup of saki, opt for one of the vegetarian varieties on offer.
Japanese jeopardy?
Beware. ... any item that is deep fried like tempura, spring rolls and deep-fried tofu.
Texas Roadhouse, 4125 State Hwy 121, 75056
Juicy steak, succulent seafood and huge tasty salads are just some of the fantastic options available at the Roadhouse. With these delicious weight loss friendly choices, you’ll be guaranteed to ‘have a good one!’
A good start is to ask for the peanut bucket to be taken away from your table! Hard to resist if it’s there!
For a super starter choose the grilled shrimp – ask for the lemon pepper butter on the side so you can add the amount you want – even better, enjoy it with seasoning and save the buttery calories! Another option is to ask for an appetiser portion of one of the salads.
Avoid anything fried and instead opt for lean steaks such as filet, sirloin, T-bone or ribeye. Other meaty mains include grilled BBQ chicken – remove (and don’t eat!) the skin, and the irresistible pulled pork. Ask for any gravy or sauces on the side - so you’re in control not the chef!
Beware. ... the chicken wings are less angelic than you might think and the finger lickin’ ribs are also a stickin’ point. Be wary of the loaded potatoes and instead opt for them ‘au naturel’
Frisco
Chilis, 11555 Dallas Parkway, 75034
The grilled beef and chicken steaks are a good option, as are the fajita’s. The sizzling meat and vegetables came with warm tortillas and a delicious homemade pico de gallo – it’s best to avoid the accompanying sour cream and guacamole if you can!
There’s a great Guiltless Grill section on the menu, which gives you more choices for your healthy lifestyle. All items are under 750 calories and come served with steamed vegetables.
Mexican stand-off!
Beware….deep fried dishes such as chicken quesadillas and beef burritos. A typical Tex Mex starter such as tostada chips, guacamole, sour cream and salsa are laden with calories.
Golden Moon Chinese Restaurant, 9285 Preston Rd, 75034
Traditional Chinese ingredients such as rice. Noodles, bean sprouts, mushrooms, chicken, shrimp and beef are all fantastic filling foods, so no need to avoid the Oriental palace in your neighbourhood!
The Golden Moon offers a great buffet with a bargain price – only $6.45 for lunch and $9.45 for dinner and is one of our favorite places to eat as a family – so much so that our two year old son hugs and kisses the waiter each time we leave!
A great appetiser that offers a fuller-sized starter for smaller sized calories is the hot and sour soup. There’s also a salad and sushi section, meaning that you can keep filling your plate without guilt! There are lots of great meaty choices for your entrees also – tuck in to sliced beef with bell peppers, chicken and broccoli, beef with mushrooms and bamboo shoots and the chicken on a stick is delicious! Top up with piles of boiled rice for a Chinese banquet!
Lots of fresh fruit to fill up on for dessert, and the cheesecake is ready cut into small individual portions, so you can take a piece without wrecking your diet!
Hong Kong Phooey!
Beware….dishes that include oil, batter and deep fried filo pastry (eg spring rolls and fried chicken)
Randy’s Steakhouse, 7026 Main Street, 75034
I’d heard the hype, I’d met the man himself, so I figured we should check out Randy’s – and I’m so glad we did.
The Shrimp Platter was a great choice for starter. Succulent shrimps served with fresh sauces and marinades that won’t break the bank in the calorie department.
And then steak….not just any steak, but ‘melt in the mouth’, ‘best I’ve ever tasted’ ribeye steak.
These are just a couple of the fantastic options available at Randy’s – but when you know that each steak and piece of seafood is hand picked and fresh from the market each day, why choose anything else!
Dessert was a little more difficult to navigate – only because the scene had been set by the amazing appetiser and entrée and you just knew that the chocolate cake or the York Cheesecake were going to be to die for (although I’m positive that had I asked for a fruit platter or the like, it would have been graciously delivered with no fuss). Instead, I went with the option of having a fork full of everyone else’s dessert – the best of both worlds!!
Plano
Chilis, 4800 W Park Blvd, 75093
The grilled beef and chicken steaks are a good option, as are the fajita’s. The sizzling meat and vegetables came with warm tortillas and a delicious homemade pico de gallo – it’s best to avoid the accompanying sour cream and guacamole if you can!
There’s a great Guiltless Grill section on the menu, which gives you more choices for your healthy lifestyle. All items are under 750 calories and come served with steamed vegetables.
Mexican stand-off!
Beware….deep fried dishes such as chicken quesadillas and beef burritos. A typical Tex Mex starter such as tostada chips, guacamole, sour cream and salsa are laden with calories.
Patrizio’s, 1900 Preston Road #343, 75093
Much traditional Italian food is perfect for when you’re losing weight. With piles of pasta, tender cuts of meats and tasty tomato dishes filled with Mediterranean vegetables, there are loads of tasty options at Patrizio’s so you can still have a pisa the action!
The grilled vegetable plate was delicious with a generous portion of assorted grilled squashes, asparagus, bell peppers, carrots and onions.
The chef is happy to cook without oil, and they even keep a can of 0 cal cooking spray handy.
I must admit defeat when it came to dessert. The carrot cake was sold as the “best you will ever taste” – and it was!! A delicious cross between pineapple upside down cake, cream pie and carrot cake.
Mamma mia!
Beware….pizza’s, creamy sauces and cheese filled pasta are all loaded with calories, as is ciabatta, foccacia and your average baguette. Better to get your bread fix with breadsticks.
Denny’s, 1305 Preston Road, 75093
There’s potential here to put on the lbs just by looking at the menu! However, Denny’s now have several Fit-Fare options, meaning that you can enjoy a visit to the all American diner without it costing your waistline! The omelettes are another good option and the chef is always happy to cook these without oil. If you want to be extra angelic, ask for no cheese and extra vegetables.
Dessert is tough - there are no healthy options available on the menu, so I asked for a bowl of chopped fruit, which is fine, if you can stand to eat this whilst those around you are indulging! It’s at this point that it’s good to remember, “nothing tastes as good as being slim feels”!
Diner Dilemma
Beware….creamy high calorie dressings like sour cream, blue cheese, Thousand island, Caesar and standard vinaigrette. Opt for BBQ sauce or fat free vinaigrette instead.
Flower Mound / Lewisville
Golden Corral, 251 North Stemmons, 75067
Yes, you really can still eat at an “eat as much as you want” buffet and lose weight – no problem!
Start with a pile on your plate from the Cold Bar. Choose the salads without the dressings and instead dress your own with one of the fat free options. Then make a visit (or 2 or 3!) to the Hot Bar and here the healthy options are endless – pork roast, chicken breast fillet, grilled pork chops, roast beef, hot steamed shrimp, salmon steaks, fresh steamed vegetables, corn on the cob, baked and sweet potatoes and much, much more! You really can fill your boots and not pile on the lbs! Even dessert can be without trauma (although one tip is to sit at the end of the restaurant furthest away from the Brass Bell Bakery!) as there are sugar free options such as strawberry cake.
Our kids genuinely do eat the most when we eat here, and in the main they go for the healthier options, because they love the colors of the fruits and salads – a little bit of what they fancy does them no harm at dessert time!
Chilis, 1901 Long Prairie Rd Suite 100, 75022
The grilled beef and chicken steaks are a good option, as are the fajita’s. The sizzling meat and vegetables came with warm tortillas and a delicious homemade pico de gallo – it’s best to avoid the accompanying sour cream and guacamole if you can!
There’s a great Guiltless Grill section on the menu, which gives you more choices for your healthy lifestyle. All items are under 750 calories and come served with steamed vegetables.
Mexican stand-off!
Beware….deep fried dishes such as chicken quesadillas and beef burritos. A typical Tex Mex starter such as tostada chips, guacamole, sour cream and salsa are laden with calories.
Texas Roadhouse, 3811 Long Prairie Road, 75028
Juicy steak, succulent seafood and huge tasty salads are just some of the fantastic options available at the Roadhouse. With these delicious weight loss friendly choices, you’ll be guaranteed to ‘have a good one!’
A good start is to ask for the peanut bucket to be taken away from your table! Hard to resist if it’s there!
For a super starter choose the grilled shrimp – ask for the lemon pepper butter on the side so you can add the amount you want – even better, enjoy it with seasoning and save the buttery calories! Another option is to ask for an appetiser portion of one of the salads.
Avoid anything fried and instead opt for lean steaks such as filet, sirloin, t-bone or ribeye. Other meaty mains include grilled BBQ chicken – remove (and don’t eat!) the skin, and the irresistible pulled pork. Ask for any gravy or sauces on the side - so you’re in control not the chef!
Beware….the chicken wings are less angelic than you might think and the finger lickin’ ribs are also a stickin’ point. Be wary of the loaded potatoes and instead opt for them ‘au naturel’
McKinney
Golden Corral, 475 South Central Expressway, 75070
Yes, you really can still eat at an “eat as much as you want” buffet and lose weight – no problem!
Start with a pile on your plate from the Cold Bar. Choose the salads without the dressings and instead dress your own with one of the fat free options. Then make a visit (or 2 or 3!) to the Hot Bar and here the healthy options are endless – pork roast, chicken breast fillet, grilled pork chops, roast beef, hot steamed shrimp, salmon steaks, fresh steamed vegetables, corn on the cob, baked and sweet potatoes and much, much more! You really can fill your boots and not pile on the lbs! Even dessert can be without trauma (although one tip is to sit at the end of the restaurant furthest away from the Brass Bell Bakery!) as there are sugar free options such as strawberry cake.
Our kids genuinely do eat the most when we eat here, and in the main they go for the healthier options, because they love the colors of the fruits and salads – a little bit of what they fancy does them no harm at dessert time!
Chilis, 7675 S Custer Rd, 75070
The grilled beef and chicken steaks are a good option, as are the fajita’s. The sizzling meat and vegetables came with warm tortillas and a delicious homemade pico de gallo – it’s best to avoid the accompanying sour cream and guacamole if you can!
There’s a great Guiltless Grill section on the menu, which gives you more choices for your healthy lifestyle. All items are under 750 calories and come served with steamed vegetables.
Mexican stand-off!
Beware….deep fried dishes such as chicken quesadillas and beef burritos. A typical Tex Mex starter such as tostada chips, guacamole, sour cream and salsa are laden with calories.
Texas Roadhouse, 3101 S. Central Expressway
75070
Juicy steak, succulent seafood and huge tasty salads are just some of the fantastic options available at the Roadhouse. With these delicious weight loss friendly choices, you’ll be guaranteed to ‘have a good one!’
A good start is to ask for the peanut bucket to be taken away from your table! Hard to resist if it’s there!
For a super starter choose the grilled shrimp – ask for the lemon pepper butter on the side so you can add the amount you want – even better, enjoy it with seasoning and save the buttery calories! Another option is to ask for an appetiser portion of one of the salads.
Avoid anything fried and instead opt for lean steaks such as filet, sirloin, t-bone or ribeye. Other meaty mains include grilled BBQ chicken – remove (and don’t eat!) the skin, and the irresistible pulled pork. Ask for any gravy or sauces on the side - so you’re in control not the chef!
Beware….the chicken wings are less angelic than you might think and the finger lickin’ ribs are also a stickin’ point. Be wary of the loaded potatoes and instead opt for them ‘au naturel’
Yvonne’s top eating out tips:
Plan ahead: Ask for a menu beforehand (ring or go on-line) for a chance to pick out the healthiest options. It’s easier to resist temptation when you make your decisions in advance.
Before the meal: Don’t go hungry just because you’re going out – it can lead to impulsive indulgence!
Ask: If the menu isn’t specific about a dish, ask how it’s cooked and what exactly comes with it. Don’t be afraid to ask for substitutions, eg baked potato instead of fries, extra veg, sauce on the side.
Menu descriptions: Items described as broiled, roasted, poached and baked are usually healthier options. Beware of descriptions such as crispy, battered, encased in, creamy, cheesy and deep-fried – they’re generally the higher calorie choices.
Lighter desserts: Choose meringue with fruit, sorbets, poached pears and filo-pastry desserts. Avoid creamy or sticky sauce accompaniments. Fresh fruit salads, mixed berries and lychees are all great options.
Drinks: Enjoy glasses of white wine spritzer with your meal (white wine mixed with soda water, diet lemonade or diet tonic water). It lasts longer than wine alone.
Ask for a jug of water with your meal. Spicy or salty meals will make you thirsty – reaching out for water before your wine will quench your thirst – and of course gives you fewer calories!
Slimming World meets at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday in Frisco at the Faithbridge Presbyterian Church at College and Hillcrest and in Plano at Plano Redemption Church Facility, 901 W. Parker Rd, Ste 380 at Alma Road at 9:30 a.m. and 5;30 p.m. on Tuesdays.
In Frisco, Slimming World meets at Lonestar Ranch Ammenity Center, 5150 Beacon Hill Drive (Lebanon between 423 and Teel) at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Meetings last an hour.
Slimming World is also in Flower Mound and The Colony and spreading fast.
For details of Slimming World groups in your area, visit www.slimmingworldusa.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
lordvador wrote on Sep 11, 2010 8:37 AM:
" this is a laugable list of 'healthy' restaurants! Is this article suppose to be a joke? it made me laugh! hahaha! Golden Corral and Chillis? Really? hahahha, so dumb!
Editor's Note: This is about what to eat at those restaurants. "
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