Courgetti spaghetti and low-carb pizzas feature on new diet-friendly Sunderland menu

From Monday, the Italian Farmhouse pizzeria and ristorante, Roker, will be serving a new range of 'Skinnylicious' dishes, specifically designed to help visitors eat out while still staying healthy.

Staff has also been trained to advise people on which dishes are allowed on specific slimming group diets.

Options range from specially-adapted pizzas, with less base and a supplementary salad, to reduced fat pastas, incorporating meat, fish and extra vegetables and traditional Mediterranean main courses containing less than 500 calories each.

This includes chargrilled fillets of sea bass, salmon with an almond crust and grilled chicken breast served with courgette instead of spaghetti.

There will also be a selection of starters and sides, such as quinoa salad, air dried bresaola and smashed avocado, each coming in at under 250 calories, along with a low fat yogurt panna cotta, to ensure diet-conscious visitors can still enjoy a three course meal.

Jim Hall, the new Head Chef at the Best Western Roker Hotel where the Italian Farmhouse is based, said: “When embarking on a diet many people choose to avoid specific food groups, like carbohydrates, or simply stay home all together to beat temptation, especially on week nights when they’re trying to be good.

“The Italian Farmhouse’s new Skinnylicious range has been specifically designed to prove that you don’t have to do either of those things and can still enjoy fine dining and fun, without sacrificing on portion size, flavour or healthy eating.

“Our staff have even been trained to advise visitors on the points and syns contained in specific dishes for diets such as Weight Watchers and Slimming World.”

The Skinnylicious range, designed to be lower in fat, calories and sometimes carbohydrates, forms part of the Italian Farmhouse’s new summer menu, which is being introduced to welcome the arrival of a new head chef and entirely new kitchen team.

The full menu also features an extended range of options for those who wish to completely indulge, including classic dishes such as deep-fried calamari, bruschetta, linguine and chicken Kiev, as well as Romano-style pizzas based on the metre long varieties currently sold on the streets of Rome.

“Eating out is always an affordable treat here at the Italian Farmhouse,” said Jim, “but our new summer menu gives diners the chance to choose exactly how indulgent they should be on their waistlines too.

“All our Skinnylicious dishes are clearly labelled on the main menu and happy hour menu, so visitors can make an informed choice whenever they stop by. It’s also an ideal opportunity for groups of all ages to enjoy eating out together, without the dieters feeling limited or left out.”

Prices at the Italian Famhouse, Roker Terrace, Sunderland, start at around £6.25 for a main course. A Happy Hour Menu is also available from 5pm to 6.45pm Sunday to Friday and from 5pm to 6pm Saturday, when prices are set at £5.95 for pizza or pasta.