Subtle Escape From Winter Weight at San Diego Restaurants

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The savory kaffir lime and kumquat glazed vegetable medley at Spread - the chic 100% green eatery - is a sure bet for heart (and waist) friendly food in San Diego. And, healthy foodies also flock to Cilantro Live! - the daring raw restaurant in Hillcrest - for the organic seitan lasagna.

But, for the average non-vegan, fry-loving, nutrient-challenged diner, even fast-food chains like Burger King, Domino's Pizza, and Panda Express can be healthy, as long as you bring a firm strategy through the drive-thru.

Find out where to eat and what to order on HealthyDiningFinder.com, the premier online resource for healthy dining in San Diego, with approximately 50,000 restaurant locations in 50 states featured on the site. Since the March 14, 2007 launch, its ever-expanding database helps locals identify nutritious options at various restaurants in San Diego and cities across the nation.

The site lists restaurants by location and price. Each featured entrée includes lean protein, fruits or vegetables, or 100% whole grains. Additionally, entrees must not exceed 750 calories, 25 grams of fat and 8 grams of saturated fat. The nutrients posted include calories, fat, saturated fat, sodium, carbohydrate, sugar, protein, fiber, and fruit and vegetable serving information.

According to Anita Jones-Mueller, M.P.H., founder of Healthy Dining, "With the steady increase in both restaurant sales and consumer interest in health, many Americans are searching for guidance to help them make smart choices when dining out. Healthy Dining significantly contributes to this effort by encouraging restaurants nationwide to promote nutritious options that taste great."

Erica Bohm, M.S., Vice President and Director of Strategic Partnership said, "The funding for the development of the website came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Several thousand diners use the site each month. Our Burger King listing illustrates the point of the site, which is to highlight better for you choices at all kinds of restaurants. Burger King's Chicken Garden Salad, which uses romaine lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and three cheeses has only 11 grams of fat and 300 calories without the dressing."

The list doesn't stop at Burger King. Andrea Ogden, R.D., one of Healthy Dining's registered dieticians, provides a few top San Diego restaurant recommendations from the site's database. This holiday season in San Diego, depend on Healthy Dining Finder to find a subtle escape from winter weight. With family and friends in town eat out in good conscious, with the help of a big strategy and a little self control.

Buca Di Beppo, a family friendly Italian restaurant on 6th Avenue serves, up heart healthy salads and traditional pasta dishes. The Apple Gorgonzola Salad with spiced walnuts, dried cranberries, fresh Romaine and Italian vinaigrette contains 210 calories and 14 grams of fat for a 1/4 portion, excluding the dressing (dishes at Buca are served family style).

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza serves up a Thai Shrimp Pizza with julienne vegetables, cilantro, scallions, peanuts, fresh lime juice, mint, spicy Thai peanut sauce and fat-free mozzarella cheese. Half a pizza has 455 calories and 10 grams of fat.

Rock Bottom, an American style family restaurant with handcrafted beer, offers a Blackened Mango Chicken. This 8 oz. Breast of Cajun-spiced grilled chicken with a sweet and tangy mango salsa on black bean pico de gallo contains 380 calories and 13 grams of fat.

At PF Chang's China Bistro, the Almond and Cashew Chicken with stir-fried bell peppers, onions and mushrooms in a garlic soy sauce has 745 calories and 23 grams of fat.

Find healthy deli sandwiches at Extreme Pita. The Freestyle Pita: Falafel Fanatic has 520 calories and 15 grams of fat.

El Pollo Loco, a fresh Mexican fast food alternative serves up Chicken Tortilla Soup made fresh with flame-grilled chicken, carrots, celery, Cotija cheese, cilantro and tortilla strips. This appetizer has 215 calories and 9 grams of fat.

At Wahoo's Fish Taco, quick serve Mexican food, one Charbroiled Fish Taco of flamebroiled Mahi Mahi dressed with shredded jack and cheddar cheeses, crisp green cabbage, and mild fresh salsa has 235 calories and 4 grams fat.

The Fish Market, a casual seafood restaurant, offers Ginger Lime Prawns. Topped with cilantro sauce and served with cilantro coleslaw, it contains 250 calories and 16 grams of fat.

At Fred's Mexican Café, order the charbroiled steak fajitas with onions, tomatoes, and peppers for 655 calories and 23 grams of fat.

The Brigantine in Coronado serves a special-request Wok Tossed Asian Noodle dish with crisp vegetables and shiitake mushroom sauce. This vegetarian dish has 470 calories, 10 grams of protein, and 15 grams of fat.

Dave and Buster's in Mission Valley a Huli Hulli Salmon entrée with lemon herb grilled chicken breasts topped with Boursin cheese, roasted red peppers and fresh basil. This dish has 405 calories, 46 grams of protein, and 21 grams of fat.

Nine-Ten in La Jolla features Black Bass with broccolini, artichokes, pearl onions, and tangerine vinaigrette, for 530 calories, 32 grams of protein, and 23 grams of fat.

When the bus-loads of family and friends arrive in San Diego for the holidays, depend on HealthyDiningFinder.com to discover where and what to eat in San Diego. Whether you're in the mood for a casual bite mid-shopping-spree at the mall or a relaxing meal at a fine dining restaurant, this website has you (and your slim shape) covered. This holiday season in San Diego, find a subtle escape from winter weight at San Diego restaurants, thanks to HealthyDiningFinder.com.