Austin Food Bytes Archive, 1

Austin Food Bytes
"All things in moderation, including moderation"

No one likes to diet during the holidays. My department abounds with goodies, it seems as if there's at least one party every weekend, and then comes the actual holidays. Who wants to miss out on all that good grub?

Still, sooner or later, we have to pay the piper, and I prefer to pay him now rather than when my clothes suddenly don't fit in January. It's far easier to eat salads and other fresh fruits and vegetables when the weather is balmy. Hot, rich foods are far more tempting when the weather starts to cool. But there are lots of healthy alternatives to normal cold-weather fare, making it less calorically costly to indulge when the indulging is good. Here are my favorite calorie crunching comfort foods:

Don't neglect the grill
I know it's a nippy 50 degrees outside, but don't let your grill gather dust during the off-season. Don a sweater and brave the chill, or get a plug-in indoor grill or stovetop grill and stay inside.

Quick and easy grilling can save you time and carbs. Central Market has a wide selection of pre-marinated skinless-boneless chicken breasts and pork tenderloin, both of which have low fat content. To really control what goes into it, use a dry rub instead of a marinade and serve with your choice of sauce or garnish. Most BBQ sauce is fat free.

Central Market also has some lovely pre-marinated fish -- I really enjoy the salmon and catfish. You might consider skipping the rice or potatoes some nights and just serving your main course with a steamed veggie, garnished with some lemon or orange juice and a little salt and pepper. Or, you could roast a couple of sweet potatoes which are much higher in nutrients than regular potatoes.

If you're craving that cheeseburger, try some grilled chicken instead. North By Northwest not only has some of the best burgers in town, they have a couple awesome chicken sandwiches. If you have the willpower, you can opt for a side salad instead of fries. NXNW also has a pizza topped with a spring green salad and smoked salmon. Garnished with capers and a little goat cheese, it's flavorful and filling, and significantly healthier than your average pizza.

Both Zen Japanese Food and Wiki-Wiki Teriyaki have teriyaki bowls of excellent quality. Your have your choice of grilled meat, vegetables and rice. At Zen, you can choose brown rice, white rice, or udon noodles for your teriyaki bowl. Brown rice is much lower in carbs and higher in fiber and nutrients than white rice. I'm not usually a fan, but the flavor of the sauce is strong enough that I actually prefer the brown rice at Zen.

Tex-Mex Lite:
Tacos can be surprisingly light and awfully tasty. Taco Deli, just up the road, has some great combinations. The grilled fish tacos are delicious and cheese-free. The vegetarian options are also quite nice. Most of the authentic taquerias in town, including Arandas and Taqueria Vallarta Jalisco have a good selection of grilled-meat tacos you can order with tasty dressings such as lettuce and tomatoes or chopped onions with cilantro. Add a little salsa, and you've got a spicy, healthy, quick meal. For extra caloric savings request corn tortillas instead of flour, and avoid the cheese.

Soups
See my previous article “"The Soup Tour of Austin"”

By making a few, not too painful adjustments when you're not in the midst of holiday festivities can help make your holiday enjoyable and healthy.