Start your meal off right with my safe appetizer picks...
Steamed clams
Steamed clams are a delicious way to start your meal, and they'll make you forget all about the fatty fried calamari. Mussels are a good option too. Just make sure your shellfish order isn't covered in butter and oil. Feh!
Each 3-oz. serving (about 9 small clams) has around 130 calories, 2g fat, 4.5g carbs, 0g fiber, 22g protein, and a PointsPlus™ value of 3.
Shrimp cocktail
Here's a classic protein-packed favorite that never goes out of style. And the amazing nutritional stats make me sooooo happy. Go shrimp... you rock!!! (Tee hee, get it? Rock. Shrimp. Oh, never mind.)
Each serving (4 oz. shrimp with 1 oz. cocktail sauce) has about 140
calories, 1.5g fat, 7g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 24g protein, and a PointsPlus value of 3.
Edamame (a.k.a. soybeans)
In addition to being an excellent source of fiber and protein (which means it'll keep you feeling fuller longer), edamame is delicious — not to mention cute and fun to eat.
Each 3/4-cup serving (in pods) has about 120 calories, 4g fat, 9g carbs, 6.5g fiber, 11g protein, and a PointsPlus value of 2.
Miso soup
There's nothing like a hot bowl of soup to warm you up on a cold night. And studies show that people who regularly eat broth-based soup take in 25 percent fewer calories throughout the day than those who don't. Good deal!
Each 1-cup serving has around 70 calories, 2g fat, 7g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 5g protein, and a PointsPlus value of 2.
Minestrone soup
This is another smart soup option — you're pretty safe with tomato and broth-based soups. Just watch out for creamy bisques and chowders! Eeek!
Each 1-cup serving has about 110 calories, 2g fat, 18g carbs, 3g fiber, 4g protein, and a PointsPlus value of 3.
Steamed artichokes
Beware of the oily glazes and mayo-based sauces, which can add hundreds of calories to your artichoke. (I almost cried when I learned that one of my favorite restaurant artichoke appetizers had over 1,000 calories!) Just ask for it without oil and dip it in some salsa.
Each (medium-size) artichoke has 60 calories, 0.5g fat, 13.5g carbs, 6.5g fiber, 4g protein, and a PointsPlus value of 0.
Chicken skewers (no sauce)
Make sure the chicken is skinless, and avoid heavy sauces...
Each 2-skewer serving (without sauce) has about 200 calories, 6g fat, 0g carbs, 0g fiber, 36g protein, and a PointsPlus value of 5.
Starter salad (light dressing on the side)
This might not be the most exciting option on the menu, but it's always a good pick. Plus, it goes with just about anything...
Each salad with croutons and 1 oz. reduced-fat dressing has around 165
calories, 8.5g fat, 19g carbs, 3g fiber, 4g protein, and a PointsPlus value of 4.
Melon wrapped in prosciutto
Salty, sweet, and schmancy! A much better pick than fruit and cheese, although you won't find this one on every menu...
Each 2-piece serving (2 oz. melon with 1 oz. prosciutto) has about 80 calories, 3.5g fat, 5g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 7g protein, and a PointsPlus value of 2.
Steamed dumplings
Choose vegetable and shrimp dumplings over pork ones (to save calories and fat). And make sure they are steamed, not fried.
Each 2-piece serving (without sauce) has around 90 calories, 0g fat, 12g carbs, 0g fiber, 8g protein, and a PointsPlus val
ue of 2.
Categories:
Eating out, Food