Eat Fit NOLA

Eating out can be a challenge for many people… especially those who are trying to be mindful of what he/she is eating. With the all the delicious foods and variety of restaurants offered in New Orleans, it can be even more of a challenge. Part of that is because our culture is heavily influenced by food… the way food is prepared, the spices used, and the people we share these meals with! It might be difficult for everyone in your party to agree on a place to go, and even more difficult to find something on the menu that will fit your diet/lifestyle!  While sharing a meal between 2 or 3 people is a good idea (especially if you are at a restaurant where the servings are ginormous), you may not be eating a “balanced meal” because you are not consuming all the nutrients your body needs. My recommendation for making healthier restaurant/menu choices is eating at restaurants that are supported by Eat Fit NOLA!

Eat Fit NOLA allows you to eat out and not have to think about what you are ordering! Registered dietitian Molly Kimball collaborates with restaurants to analyze their menus and determine which items would fit Eat Fit NOLA guidelines or could be adjusted to fit these guidelines to allow you the benefit of eating a nutritious meal without the guilt! To know which restaurants are teamed up with Eat Fit NOLA, check out Molly's website (www.MollyKimball.com and www.EatFitNOLA.com ), Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram! There are SO many great restaurant options to fit everyone’s appetite! And remember to look for the Ochsner-approved seal on the menu to know which items are Eat Fit NOLA (because not all of them are!). 

I have personal experience with working on analyzing menu items for some of these restaurants. I interned with Molly last summer and learned so much! I gained so much experience that really helped me in my last year of college. Even if I am eating at a restaurant that is not collaborated with Eat Fit NOLA, I have a better eye of what to lookout for when ordering! 

So I mentioned Eat Fit NOLA has guidelines that menu items must meet to be considered “Eat Fit NOLA.” They are very specific, so if you order one of these menu items, you can be assured you are eating a healthy meal!

Entrée

• Less than 600 calories
• Less than 800 mg sodium
• Less than 10% of calories from animal-based saturated fat
• 0 grams trans fats
• No white, refined starches
• Less than 5 grams (one teaspoon) of added sugar (e.g. honey, agave, sugar, etc)

Appetizer, Soup, Salad, or Dessert

• Less than 300 calories
• Less than 400 mg sodium
• Less than 10% of calories from saturated fat
• Less than 10% of calories from animal-based saturated fat
• 0 grams trans fats
• No white, refined starches
• Less than 5 grams (one teaspoon) of added sugar (e.g. honey, agave, sugar, etc)

Don’t forget to Like the Eat Fit NOLA Facebook page and follow them on Twitter and Instagram!! 

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