The "Fat Kid" Knows Protein
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Most great ideas are inspired by personal experiences or passions. In the restaurant/food industry, many concepts emerge from the love of a particular ethnic food, a visit to another part of the world, or a need that has yet to be addressed. Bottom line is that we create based on our own motivations, successes or challenges. Being known as the “fat kid” growing up was challenge for Matt Matros, but helped to motivate him to shed 60 pounds eight years a go. His vision after dropping the poundage was to help people everywhere live the healthy lifestyle that they want to live. His brainchild? “Protein Bar”, a new food venue downtown Chicago where folks can quickly get a meal with essential proteins needed to live a healthy active lifestyle.
“Protein Bar” has signature protein drinks, signature whole grain bowls and a plethora of boosts too choose from along with fresh made wraps, soups and salads. There is also an option to build your own drink or bowl if you’re not feeling any of the signature options, but a must try signature protein drink is the “Wrigley Peeled”, consisting of chocolate protein, a choice of milk, all natural peanut butter and banana. “Protein Bar” uses either whey, soy, or egg as a protein and has four different types of milk. Some of their boosts include an “Anti-Oxidant Blend”, “Fat Burner Blend”, “Hangover Blend”, and “Libido Blend”. Gotta try the “Libido Blend”! Their whole grain bowl options are steel-cut oatmeal, quinoa, power granola, or Kashi Go-Lean Crunch. Try the “Crackberry” bowl if you like Acai berries mixed with vanilla protein, yogurt, power granola and a fresh banana. All items are high in protein and fiber and low in sugar. The “Chipotle Roast Beef with Guacamole” highlights their wrap selections.
“Protein Bar” provides nutritional facts about all of their menu items, which is very helpful for the health conscious individual. The menu explains the differences between proteins and compares the nutritional differences between their signature items and similar selections found at Jamba Juice, Starbucks, Duncan Donuts and Chipotle. Overall, “Protein Bar” is a new favorite of yours truly, another former “fat kid”, and will be a frequent stop on my protein tour.
“Protein Bar” is located at 235 South Franklin Street. For more information log onto www.proteinbarchicago.com. Check out Fete Select TV for more restaurant reviews and an inside look at Chicago’s newest restaurants.Labels: chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, eating well, fast food, fete select tv, healthy eating, matt matros, protein bar, protein shakes
Food For All..."Dietbytes" by Sandy
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Why is eating right so hard for everyone? There are a million possible answers to this question, but instead of agonizing over the right one, I try to make healthy eating SIMPLE. I work to empower those with diabetes to make easy, healthy, and delicious meals. People with diabetes already have a lot to think about and preparing complicated meals should not be one of them. One tactic as a dietitian that I have always had while counseling people, is to focus on adding better foods to their diet instead of focusing on the "bad" foods to eliminate (I hate being considered the "food police!"). The comforting news is that there are some "super foods" that those with diabetes and the rest of us should be eating on a regular basis.
Beans
Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Citrus fruits
Sweet Potatoes
Berries
Tomatoes
Fish with Omega-3s
Whole grains
Nuts
Fat-free milk and yogurt
Notice that these aren't exotic or even expensive foods. But, they are proven to boost health and help manage diabetes. So, keep it simple when planning meals and focus on the super foods to maximize nutrition. For further assistance, check out the 4-Ingredient Diabetes Cookbook by Nancy S. Hughes (published by the American Diabetes Association, 2007) for effortless snacks, meals, and desserts. It includes quick and easy recipes with nutritional information and diabetic exchanges for every recipe. Healthy cooking couldn't be more painless!
Healthy Eating!Labels: berries, chicago dining, diabetic cooking, dining out, efete recipes, efete.net, healthy eating, sandy sfikas
Most great ideas are inspired by personal experiences or passions. In the restaurant/food industry, many concepts emerge from the love of a particular ethnic food, a visit to another part of the world, or a need that has yet to be addressed. Bottom line is that we create based on our own motivations, successes or challenges. Being known as the “fat kid” growing up was challenge for Matt Matros, but helped to motivate him to shed 60 pounds eight years a go. His vision after dropping the poundage was to help people everywhere live the healthy lifestyle that they want to live. His brainchild? “Protein Bar”, a new food venue downtown Chicago where folks can quickly get a meal with essential proteins needed to live a healthy active lifestyle.
Why is eating right so hard for everyone? There are a million possible answers to this question, but instead of agonizing over the right one, I try to make healthy eating SIMPLE. I work to empower those with diabetes to make easy, healthy, and delicious meals. People with diabetes already have a lot to think about and preparing complicated meals should not be one of them. One tactic as a dietitian that I have always had while counseling people, is to focus on adding better foods to their diet instead of focusing on the "bad" foods to eliminate (I hate being considered the "food police!"). The comforting news is that there are some "super foods" that those with diabetes and the rest of us should be eating on a regular basis.
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