Hi guys,
I thought this might be a great opportunity to post a little on menu selection. With so many amazing cafes and eateries in Nundah, the next meal out doesn't have to be one that takes your health in the opposite direction. We are spoilt for choice and here is the little guide I like to use when selecting from a menu, I call it the 4 C's.
1. Colour - when making a choice (with dessert as an exception) the colour component on the plate will likely be the vegetable or salad component. Take a look at the other meals around you and if in doubt ask a waiter which meal that one is.. pointing to the most colourful plate that's close!
2. Cooking method - if you're a regular reader of our gear, you'll know I don't think too highly of being so 'calorie-conscious' but choosing grilled and poached items from a menu makes sense as it reduces your saturated fat intake which doesn't really do much in terms of the quality of the diet. A good example to think of is the local Vietnamese restaurant 'Mr Bui Banh Mi & More' their menu is amazing with such tasty food, choosing their rice paper roll in favour of a fried dish is a far higher quality option.
3. Condiment - this again refers more to decreasing the saturated fat content of the meal, opt for vegetable or vinegarette based sauces rather than cream or fat based. A good example at the Royal might be the al dente spaghetti with a tomato and chilli-based topping than the carbonara.
Last but not least number 4. Control over Quantity - this applies to lots of different areas of life that impact your health but having choice over 'how much' you eat rather than eating until the plate is completely empty is a winner. Some people call it mindful eating, others 'being present', I prefer to think of it as an active choice. You as the consumer get to choose at what point you stop eating when you're satisfied, not when the plate is empty.
This is definitely not a hard and fast fail-safe set of 4 rules but a way for you to choose from a menu that will hopefully improve the quality of your nutrition. See you down in the village soon.
Yours in health.
Sean Cornish
