Just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy delicious Italian food at Famiglia Italian American Restaurants in Greenville, NC. Because of all the wonderful ingredients, the rich Italian cuisine you love can actually work with your dietary needs. Still not convinced? Here are 3 ways you can cut calories while eating Italian.

1. Go for Something Spicy

Spicy dishes, beyond tasting amazing, have a whole host of health benefits. According to SELF,

“For one, the extra kick of hot sauce or a chopped jalapeno can make even the most bland diet food more palatable, causing you to be more likely to stick with your weight loss plan. In addition, they may jack up your metabolism. Studies show that the main compound in chilies, called capsaicin, has a thermogenic effect and may cause the body to burn bonus calories for 20 minutes post chow-down.”

Try our spicier dishes like Seafood fra Diavolo or our Antipasto plate to get those good benefits and a great meal.

2. Add Veggies When Possible

If you’re going to eat well, it’s always a great idea to have more veggies on the plate so the meal is nice and balanced. In addition, vegetables have less calories than a lot of meaty dishes. To get some hearty veggies try our Bruschetta, one of our salads, or our eggplant parmesean to have a totally balanced plate. In addition our Grecian and Veggie Pizzas are also a great choice when you want to indulge, but still stay healthy.

3. Choose Fish

You don’t have to stick to just veggies, some of our fish dishes are also healthy choices. According to the American Heart Association,

“Fish is a good source of protein and, unlike fatty meat products, it’s not high in saturated fat. Fish is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of — or who have — cardiovascular disease.”

Many of our Italian dishes at Famiglia Italian American Restaurants in Greenville, NC have great-for-you, low-cal seafood like shrimp and clams. You can get double the benefits with the spicy Seafood fra Diavolo or you could go for Mussels Marinara or Shrimp Scampi. In addition, we also have a build-your-own pasta, where you can shrimp plus the toppings and type of pasta you want.

Ready to Eat?

If you’re ready to start eating some of these dishes, don’t hesitate to come to Famiglia Italian American Restaurants in Greenville, NC and surrounding areas. From antipasti to primo to finally getting your dessert, our restaurant staff is dedicated to bringing you the rich taste of Italian Cuisine. At Famiglia, our chefs bring quality Italian casual fine dining that highlights the flavors of Greenville, NC. Join us for dinner to experience our commitment to you. If you have any questions, contact us today and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.