At Equalution HQ we’re all about enjoying life and the delicious food and drinks that come with it, but we totally understand that when you’re on a body and mind transformation journey you don’t want to compromise all your hard work and get off-track.
So we asked our nutritionist Caillin Bursill to recommend her calorie and macro-friendly picks from some of Melbourne’s most popular eateries…
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Chin Chin
This has been an institution since it opened in Flinders’ Lane in 2011. It’s Asian-fusion menu has something for everyone, including those on a weight loss journey!
Caillin suggests sharing the below menu items with two friends, and it will work out to approximately 1000 calories per person.
- Kingfish sashimi.
- Crunchy prawns.
- Salt and pepper squid.
- Stir Fry of Bug Tail & Chopped Prawn.
- Charred Green Cabbage.
- Butter Chicken Curry.
- Stir Fry of Chicken.
- Wok Tossed Vegetables.
You can view the full menu here.
Vibrante
Located in Templestowe, this family-run, Italian restaurant has been a favourite of locals since its opening in 2009.
And there are plenty of calorie-friendly bites on their menu according to Caillin.
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Oysters, mussels, seared scallops & prawns are all great choices for entrees. Seafood is generally always a calorie-friendly choice.
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For the spaghetti bolognese, you’re looking at around 800 cals per serve, the same for the chicken risotto.
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The Tandoori pizza, prawn & avocado pizza and camagnola pizza are all approximately 200 cals per slice.
You can view the full menu here.
Ichi Na Izakaya
This Fitzroy find serves both delicious, traditional Japanese cuisine as well as some more modern takes!
They also have another restaurant in St Kilda, so if you’re after some beachside Japanese you can check that out too.
Caillin’s menu picks are:
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Scallops or oysters to start.
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For a Miso soup you’re looking at around 100 cals and for Edamame, 150 cals. Two other great starter options.
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Okonomiyaki will be around 600 cals.
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Gyoza are about 60 cals each (chicken, prawn or veg).
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Sashimi – at around 35 cals per piece.
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The Donburi is approximately 650 cals.
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Overall, Caillin suggests sticking to lean grilled meat or fresh seafood.
La Poele Windsor
This eatery draws upon a number of modern culinary influences from across Europe, presented in an A La Carte style.
Your calorie-friendly orders from this restaurant look like this:
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Moreton Bay bugs.
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Pan-seared scallops.
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Fish of the day.
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Saffron Moreton Bay bug risotto.
You can view the full menu here.
The Rogue Squire
If you’re after a quality pub feed with a selection of craft beers on the drinks list, this is the place for you. You’ll find it in the lovely Wheeler’s Hill.
Here are Caillin’s order recommendations:
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As always, an easy and safe go-to is steak and chips. The 300g scotch fillet on this menu would be around 1200 calories OPT for Jus over butter. Cut any fat off if you can.
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Be mindful of the crowd-favourite Chicken Parmigiana. These can be around 1400 calories.
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The barramundi main would sit at around 700 calories.
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Pizza 200 cals per slice, remember to practice portion control.
You can view the full menu here.
Hello Jose
This vibrant yet casual Mexican eatery located nearby Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Markets is known for its hand-pressed tacos, array of margarita options and, as they call it, the life-changing green sauce. The perfect place for some laughs and delicious food with friends.
Here’s some intel on the calorie and macro-friendly picks on the menu:
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A good, approximate guide to go by for tacos is 200 calories per taco. The grilled chicken option is your best choice at around 180 calories, then it’s 220 for beef. The black bean taco will come in at around 150 cals.
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For the fried chicken and beer-battered fish tacos, you’re looking at approximately 250 calories each.
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Caillin suggests the Jose salad as a good side also. The same goes for the chargrilled corn, which is around 200 cals per piece.
You can view the full menu here.