Can I Eat Italian Food on Sonoma Diet?

A Healthier Taste of Italy

Q&A With Sonoma Diet

You know that white flour pasta is a bad idea, but does that mean your days of eating at Italian restaurants are over? Before you cancel your reservations, remember that Italian cuisine is filled with healthy options you can enjoy. While you should avoid that bowl of fettuccini swimming in buttery Alfredo sauce, you won't miss it if you follow these simple tips for dining Italian:

• Choose grilled or broiled skinless chicken breast, lean beef or pork, fish, shrimp, lobster, scallops, mussels, or other shellfish flavored with herbs. Avoid meats that are fried or breaded.
• Steer clear of dishes with rich sauces, like Alfredo, vodka, and scampi.
• As a side dish, ask for sautéed fresh vegetables tossed with a little olive oil.
• Avoid pasta unless you can choose whole wheat, and keep an eye on portion sizes. Restaurant entrées are often twice the size of the recommended Sonoma Diet portion, so why not keep half and ask the waiter to take the other half away immediately to put in a doggie bag?
• Choose a side salad with dark leafy greens and fresh vegetables. Drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil and flavored vinegar or reduced-fat or fat-free salad dressing on top for added zest.
  

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Get Creative With the Menu

If you can't find anything on the dinner menu that appeals to you, take a look at the appetizers. The antipasto platter, a staple of most Italian menus, is usually filled with vegetables, lean meats, olives, and cheeses. Ask your server about portion sizes beforehand, and if you're worried about one or two items, ask for them to be left off.