Staying healthy when eating out in Loughborough
1: Nando’s – Baxter Gate Loughborough LE11 1TH
Everyone’s favourite chicken, of course it’s Nando’s. Nando’s is a great restaurant to hit straight after training. it is essential to try and replenish depleted glycogen supply by adding in some carbohydrates such as rice or potato, and also give the body some good quality protein such as chicken. My favourite post workout from Nando’s has to be half a chicken medium spice with the sweet potato mash or spicy rice. If I wanted to keep it lower calorie I might go for the butterfly chicken breast with the avocado Salad (no dressing).
2:Browns Lane – 2A Browns Lane Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3HE
Browns Lane Restaurant has just started doing a healthy Menu. The idea is you chose a Protein with 2 sides and a healthy, low calorie dressing (sauce). The sides are a mix of vegetables and complex carbohydrates such as quinoa, whole grain rice etc. My personal recommendation would be the salmon and green beans with the coconut milk.
3: The Priory – Nanpanton Road, Loughborough, LE11 3YD
The Priory is probably my favourite restaurant in Loughborough. I love the decor, the service is great, they do Illy Coffee and of course the food is even better. If you decide to venture to the top of Nanpanton Road and are looking for a healthy option, my recommendation would be the sea bass with new potatoes and Veggies.
4: Fernandez Grillhouse – 7 High Street, Loughborough, LE11 2PY
Fernandez is a great little Grillhouse in the heart of Loughborough Town. You could definitely enjoy a good treat meal here as it offers a big selection of burgers and milkshakes but it also offers some healthier options too. My “Go To” healthy meal there would be the steak with grilled vegetables or the half a chicken lemon and Herb spice with a baked sweet potato. It is also very reasonably priced with a main and drink for around £7.
5: The Basin -25 Derby Road, Loughborough, LE11 5BX
The Basin is another favourite of mine. Again just like Fernandez you can really enjoy a nice treat meal here, or you can choose plenty of healthy lower calorie dishes. I normally choose the sushi or if I wanted to keep it lower in carbohydrates I would have the sashimi instead. The Salads are fantastic and the noodle soups are a must try with all the meats being grilled instead of fried and buckwheat noodles being used instead of the more traditional Chinese noodles.
6: Supreme Fish Bar – 1-3 Ling Road, Loughborough, LE11 2LW
I love fish and chips as much as the next man but that wouldn’t be the healthiest option on the menu. The healthiest option at the chip shop would be the shish kebab and Mixed salad without Pita Bread. The Shish chicken is grilled instead of fried and the quality of the chicken is usually much better than Donna meat. Add some hot sauce to really get that metabolism going!
7: Goodliffes – 52 Churchgate, Loughborough, LE11 1UE
Goodliffes do a great breakfast with locally sauced meat and produce. My go-to is the poached eggs and smoked salmon. This typically comes with a toasted English muffin and hollandaise sauce, but I change this for wholemeal toast for a healthier option.
Summary:
To summarise there is always a healthy option when eating out. Here’s a few things I do when trying to drop body fat while eating out:
1:Ask for the chips or potatoes to be replaced with the side salad or extra vegetables:
Usually you won’t be charged anything extra for a straight swap, but if you do it won’t be much more.
2: Always ask for lemon slices in your water:
Water can be so boring on its own.
Lemon can add great natural flavour to your water and it’s also very alkalising for the body which is good for detoxification.
3: Ask for wholegrain bread instead of white bread for your toast:
Often white bread is served with breakfast. Swap this for wholegrain bread for longer lasting energy.
4: Avoid creamy Dressings:
Often a healthy meal can be destroyed with a high calorie dressing. Ask for the dressing to be taken off or to be put in a small pot on the side, then you can control how much you use.
5: You don’t have to eat everything on your plate:
Sometimes when eating out the portion sizes are huge. If you’re full and struggling to eat it all, don’t be afraid to ask the waiter to box up the rest for you to take home.
Thanks for reading.
Written by Matt Hall Loughborough’s first choice for results based Personal Training