ASK Italian is never going to be the first choice for someone trying to lose weight.. but they do offer some very tasty low calorie dishes. So whether you are following a Slimming plan, Weight Watchers or a calorie controlled diet. Use my guide below to make good choices.
EATING OUT TIPS:
- Plan ahead (you are already one step ahead on that one). If you can view the menu online that’s even better. Work out the Syns, WW Points or calories in advance. This way you can choose exactly what you will eat without having to make a quick panicked decision in the restaurant.
- Make good swaps: For example if you choose a baked potato, ask for it plain. Swap chips for extra vegetables or swap beef for chicken. There are so many simple swaps you can make to save Syns, WW Points or calories.
- Watch out for extra calories: It’s so easy to say yes to a glass of wine without even thinking.. or a starter just because everyone else is. Be strong, it will be worth it in the end.
- Have fun: Don’t spoil your fun and social life just for one meal. If you overeat don’t panic or beat yourself up over it. Just draw a line under it and start again tomorrow.
- Eating out with Slimming World: Check the Syns in items before you go, make simple swaps like chips for plain baked potato and ask for vegetables with no butter.
FIND YOUR LOCAL ASK ITALIAN HERE
Ask Italian offer some excellent healthier options when eating in the restaurant. Start with Italian Olives, Choose Pollo Milanase and finish with Mango Sorbet for just 863 Calories! You can still eat out and not break the weight loss.
STARTERS
- ANTIPASTI CLASSICO – 1310 Calories
- BRUSCHETTA – 321 Calories
- BURRATA CAPRESE – 303 Calories
- BUTTERFLY KING PRAWNS – 416 Calories
- CHICKEN LECCA-LECCA – 675 Calories
- FOLDED GARLIC BREAD WITH MOZZARELLA – 784 Calories
- FOLDED GARLIC BREAD – 588 Calories
- ITALIAN OLIVES – 204 Calories [Healthier Choice]
- MUSHROOMS AL FORNO – 540 Calories
- CALAMARI – 476 Calories
- N’DUJA & CHEESE DOUGH BITES – N\A
- TRIO OF ARANCINI – N\A
- VEGAN LECCA LECCA – N\A
- VEGAN NO’DUJA DOUGH BITES – N\A
- ROSEMARY & OLIVE OIL BREAD – 499 Calories
- VEGAN BRUSCHETTA – 321 Calories
- VEGAN FOLDED GARLIC BREAD WITH MOZZARISELLA – N\A
PRIMA PIZZA
- CAPRINA- 382 Calories [Healthier Choice]
- FROM CALABRIA WITH LOVE – N\A
- VEGAN NO’DUJA – N\A
- PRIMAVERA FOREVER- N\A
- SALAMI MISTI – N\A
CLASSIC PIZZA
- MARGHERITA – 802 Calories
- VEGAN MARGHERITA – N\A
- POLLO E PANCETTA – 435 Calories
- STROMBOLI – N\A
- VERDURE – N\A
PASTA FRESCA
- ASPARAGUS & PANCETTA CARBONARA FRILLY TAGLIATELLE – N\A
- KING PRAWN & CRAYFISH FRILLY TAGLIATELLE – N\A
- BEEF BRISKET PAPPARDELLE – 630 Calories
- PURPLE PESTO GENOVESE FRILLY TAGLIATELLE – 926 Calories
PASTA AL FORNO
- LASAGNE – 717 Calories
- MANZO PICCANTE – 718 Calories
- POLLO DELLA CASA – 842 Calories
CLASSIC PASTA
- FETTUCCINE BOLOGNESE – 692 Calories
- LINGUINE CARBONARA – 1060 Calories
- LINGUINE CON FRUTTI DI MARE – 703 Calories
- NON GLUTEN FUSILLI PASTA
- SPAGHETTI AL POMODORO – 672 Calories
- SPAGHETTI LENTIL RAGU – 849 Calories
- SPINACH & RICOTTA GIRASOLE – 743 Calories
- VEGAN SPAGHETTI AL POMODORO – 346 Calories [Healthier Choice]
SPECIALITY MAINS
- POLLO MILANESE – 480 Calories [Healthier Choice]
- RISOTTO CON POLLO E FUNGHI – 818 Calories
- SEA BASS AL FORNO – 584 Calories [Healthier Choice]
SALADS
- INSALATA DI POLLO E PANCETTA – 743 Calories
- SALMON NICOISE SALAD – N\A
SIDES
- CHIPS – 863 Calories
- GARLIC & CHEESE CHIPS – 892 Calories
- MIXED SALAD – 18 Calories [Healthier Choice]
- ROASTED BABY POTATOES – N\A
- ZUCCHINI FRITTI – 281 Calories
DESSERTS
- BAKED CHOCOLATE GNOCCHI – 396 Calories
- BLOOD ORANGE AND CHOCOLATE TART – 451 Calories
- BROWNIE AL FORNO – N\A
- CHOCOLATE ETNA – 767 Calories
- CHOCOLATE GELATO – 225 Calories [Healthier Choice]
- HONEYCOMB CHEESECAKE – 719 Calories
- MANGO SORBET – 179 Calories [Healthier Choice]
- PROFITEROLE GRANDE – N\A
- RASPBERRY SORBET – 166 Calories [Healthier Choice]
- SALTED CARAMEL GELATO SUNDAE – N\A
- SALTED CARAMEL GELATO – 252 Calories [Healthier Choice]
- TIRAMISU – 419 Calories
- VANILLA GELATO – 242 Calories [Healthier Choice]
LOOKING FOR SLIMMING WORLD SYNS?
We agreed with Slimming World that we would remove Syns from our eating out, shopping and food lists. We will continue to advertise Syns on our recipes. If you are looking for a Syn value please visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk
LOOKING FOR WEIGHT WATCHERS SMART POINTS?
Since Weight Watchers introduced the new Personal Points plan it is harder to calculate points. This means I can no longer offer exact WW Points for food lists. (I am working on the recipe part).
HOW MANY CALORIES SHOULD I BE CONSUMING PER DAY?
When we eat and drink more calories than we use up, our bodies store the excess as body fat. If this continues, over time we may put on weight. As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day.
These values can vary depending on age, size and levels of physical activity, among other factors. To find out more about calories and losing weight with a calorie controlled plan please visit NHS.