« Product of the Week:Morning Becomes Electra | Main | Recipe of the Week: Beloved Fried Chicken »
Adventures with Barb: Dining out healthfully or at least trying to in DC
By robyn | May 4, 2008
There’s a new ad on TV for Weight Watchers saying that the WW program works because they teach you how to eat and that includes dining out. As a professional nutritionist, I don’t always agree with some fo the WW guidelines, but in this case I do, about restaurant eating I mean.
I grew up in the hotel business and no one enjoys a meal out like I do. After teaching in home cooking many, many times in a week, I do indeed enjoy a wonderful meal out. It’s not only the food, but a chance to have someone else wait on me.
But what I found out among my clients is that restaurant dining is not just a diversion from time to time, it can be almost an everyday event. So I have to make sure that these clients do well in restaurant situations.
Enter Barb M. A client of mine for quite some time, Barb and I began a short while ago to have our counseling sessions take place over a meal. Talk about real life! So every couple weeks on a Friday we venture into the world of restaurant dining. Our first one, MeiWah restaurant located at 1200 New Hampshire was about the last place I would venture into, but a very pleasant surprise was awaiting me.
When Barb told me she had eaten there several times before as it was close to her office and she said she could eat there healthfully, I thought to myself” My God, have I taught this woman nothing. How could she possibly think she can eat here. Have I failed as a nutritionist?!
Upon entering the bustling restaurant and as the menu was brought to us, I was almost afraid to open it up. After passing by the usual suspects Orange Beef, General Tso’s Chicken, Spring Rolls, I began to get a sinking feeling and a massive headache. But then, a ray of hope as my eyes filtered down ot the very bottom of each page and there it was: All items can be steamed with sauce on the side. Now mind you , this was not for just one or two dishes, IT WAS FOR THE WHOLE MENU! I think I am liking Chinese.
I enjoyed a wonderful plate of steamed chicken, moist and tender with light brown sauce on the side ( I needed very little as the chicken reallywas fab!) and steamed broccoli all presented very beautifully. Barb had tofu with spinach , extremely tasty.
As we watched platters of Twice Cooked Duck and BBQ spareribs being paraded around the lovely dining room, we have to admit, we felt supremely smug. Here we are in a very good Chinese restaurant partaking in one of the beloved cuisines among us Americans and we are eating not only healthy, but really tasty food!
I am so proud of Barb, perhaps I really have taught her a thing or two!!
MeiWah Restaurant, 1200 New Hampshire Ave, Washington, DC 20036, 202-833-2888. There is a MD location as well at 4457 Willard Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD
Hours of operation:
Mon-Thur: 11:30am-10:30pm, Friday: 11:30am-11:00pm, Sat 12noon-11:00pm, Sun, 12noon-10:30pm
Topics: Uncategorized |
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.