Making Healthy Food Choices at Seafood Restaurants Raleigh NC
Dining out is a fun way to celebrate special occasions, catch up with family and friends, and enjoy a night away from your own kitchen. But for most of us, it could also mean straying from healthy eating decisions and overindulging. The good news is that it’s easy to enjoy a nutritious meal when you head over to your favorite seafood restaurants Raleigh NC.
From saltwater and freshwater fish to deep water shellfish, oysters, and so much more—there are so many seafood dishes that not only taste great but can reward your body with a ton of health benefits.
We’ve rounded up some insightful tips to help you select which dishes to try the next time you’re browsing the seafood menu. This way, you can still stick to your healthy eating plan when dining out so you can savor and enjoy seafood without the guilt.
The truth about fish
Fish is packed with many nutrients that most people don’t get enough of every day. Most of the popular dishes at seafood restaurants Raleigh NC include fish that are chock full of good fats. Fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, and sardines give your taste buds a treat while amping up your body’s absorption of healthy fats. Eating fish definitely tastes way better than taking fish oil pills that contain high omega-3 fatty acids.
Some local favorites include grilled salmon with fingerlings, green beans, and salsa as well as the artichoke-stuffed salmon with Mediterranean cucumber salad.
Order seafood that is in season
Seafood freshness is a huge factor if you want to enjoy the whole dining experience. Usually, seafood like lobster, crab, shrimp, and scallops are best eaten when they are in season. Food experts say that fresh seafood contains more nutrients and will taste a whole lot better when cooked.
Keep an eye on the descriptions
The way a dish is described on the menu can give you clues to how it was prepared. It’s ideal to go for dishes that are grilled, steamed, broiled, roasted, or even baked, which means the food was cooked with less fat. Meanwhile, you might want to skip dishes with descriptions like breaded and fried which tend to be high in calories and saturated fat and are just canceling all the good things you want to give your body by eating seafood.
Be careful about eating raw
Raw seafood is perfectly safe to eat if they are prepared correctly and handled with care. However, it’s still a good idea to exercise caution before biting into it. Popular raw favorites like oysters in particular contain heart-friendly fats which you can easily enjoy by adding a squirt of fresh lemon and a dash of hot sauce. If you’re worried about eating raw, you can eat a mix of cooked seafood dishes and raw fish to ease into the habit.
The general rule is to eat raw food in moderation and at local seafood restaurants Raleigh NC that you trust. Don’t be afraid to ask your server how they prepare raw dishes so you can enjoy the experience, especially if it’s your first time.
At the bar, choose wine
If your friends are ordering from the cocktail menu, go for just one alcoholic drink and remember to sip plenty of water throughout your meal to get rid of any fishy taste. Many guests prefer a glass of chilled white wine as a refreshing and no-fail drink choice that pairs well with most local seafood dishes.
Get into the seafood habit
Seafood is a wonderful source of protein and nutrients that are good for your body. So, if you want to try something different from your steakhouse favorite, make that reservation at your nearby seafood restaurants Raleigh NC and try something new! Eating seafood is a healthy option and is always a better way to get the natural vitamins your body needs.