Each year when lent rolls around, there's nothing more savory than a delicious plate of fish and some side dishes. However, it's all too common to find menus loaded with fried fish, clam cakes, and other seafood dishes that are covered in batter. Instead of indulging on all those carbs during meat-free Fridays, you can enjoy some delicious fish meals and still stick to your diet. The tradition of lent and enjoying fish on Fridays dates back for numerous centuries, but you can vamp it up at your favorite seafood restaurant and find some new meals that you may enjoy every day of the week.

Grilled and Roasted

Skip right past anything with the words fried, battered, or baked before the seafood is listed. These types of meals typically include a batter base that covers up the fish and implodes on your diet. Instead, look for fresh fish meals that are either grilled or roasted. Aside from some delicious seasonings to really bring out the flavors, the fish is cooked on its own and will be low on carbohydrates.

Fish Bowls

Instead of the fish being the main highlight of the plate, ordering a fish bowl gives you a mix of other options and a variety of flavors. One of the more common types of fish bowl meals that you can order is a salad with fish in it. Fish is a great way to add protein to a salad, and you can eliminate a lot of the carbs with some select options. For example, pass on the croutons or a thick dressing. Stick to a light vinaigrette dressing that helps connect all the elements of the meal and still provides you with a lot of flavor.

A seafood antipasto is another great meal that can get served in a bowl. Instead of a traditional antipasto which includes meats, the meats are replaced with a variety of seafood options like oysters. Additional low-carb ingredients include olives, peppers, tomatoes, and a variety of cheeses.

Appetizers

Instead of navigating your way through breaded and battered main courses, you can easily pair a few low-carb appetizers together to enjoy as your main course. One of the easiest options to choose from is a shrimp cocktail. The shrimp is great for dipping in cocktail sauce, and a larger order can be made for a main course meal.

Pair the shrimp cocktail with other appetizer options like a crab meat cocktail. The fresh crab meat is either served with crackers or strips of lettuce. When sticking to a low-carb diet, you can ditch the crackers and enjoy the lettuce and crab combination.

Soups

The early weeks of Lent are usually during the peak cold of winter, so there's nothing better to warm you up on a Friday than a low-carb seafood soup. Look for different soups that do not use potatoes in them. This means you should avoid chowders and stick to options like a lobster bisque. The creamy lobster soup is limited on carbs and tastes delicious. Request that crackers or bread are not served with the soup so you are not tempted to dip them in.

Side Dishes

Along with the main fish dish, you want to eliminate carbohydrates in your meal's side dishes. One of the easiest ways to do this is with steamed vegetables. They are flavorful, pair well with fish, and can help you feel full faster. Leafy vegetables like broccoli and asparagus are your best options for reducing carbs. Avoid starchy vegetables like corn and peas. They contain higher amounts of carbohydrates and could actually go against your dietary needs if you're trying to lose weight.

Take your time while looking over the menu at a seafood restaurant. By skipping over traditional Lent meals, you can find something that is delicious and still fits your personal diet. Look for a seafood restaurant like Gabriel's Restaurant Bar & Grill to get started.