Eat Local Eat Healthy-Part IV
It can sometimes be challenging to eat healthy when eating out. It is especially difficult in a small town to find nutritious alternatives on restaurant menus especially when Monticello, until recently, has had only a scarce selection of eateries for its residents.
Lately, however, our quaint small town, seemingly years behind rural communities like Madison, has had a restaurant boom. Because I work out of town I haven’t had the chance to sample all of the local offerings. I have, however, been able to get enough information from residents to provide my readers with ways to eat out, eat healthy and support the community.
Believe it or not there are more than 10 local diners, dives and café’s within about a five mile radius. Of those ten, I decided to highlight a few each week and describe what I believe is the healthiest midday meal or menu item they have to offer. Each of these items must meet the same criteria: they have to be less than 500 calories, less than 20 grams of fat and be nutritionally balanced: having fresh ingredients, fiber and lean protein.
DEPTULA’S is located off the beaten path in a trendy old warehouse on Frobel Street. For a hearty and healthy meal, order the grilled vegetable wrap. Ask your waiter what extra veggies are available in the kitchen and have them pack your wrap full. Enjoy with cheese but skip the ranch sauce. The home fries, or homemade chips, are a delicious side. Share an order of these to save on fat and calories.
Along with pizza, subs and wings, MCMICHAEL’S PIZZA has a salad that is fully loaded with everything you find on a pizza. Hold the meat, and you have an amazingly filling and nutritious salad for four at an affordable price. If you opt for full fat dressing, dilute one tablespoon with flavorful vinegar to cut calories and fat.
This article is the last in the series of healthy restaurant reviews, however, if you have had a meal at a local restaurant that you think meets the nutritional criteria; please email me and I will be sure to include the information in a future article. Support our local businesses so that we can continue to have good quality places to dine.
Email other questions or comments to: suzannemcginnis@me.com