Coast Cuisine - January 2017

Zone Meals To Go

295 Suite 13 Highway 90
Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi
(228) 586-3635

A new concept in low-carb carry-out could help busy locals keep their resolutions to eat healthy and stay in shape.
- by Lisa Monti, photos by Ellis Anderson

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A savory snack: broccoli cheddar bites with Ranch dressing

It’s that time again, when many of us leap optimistically aboard the healthy lifestyle train with resolutions to do/be/look/feel better in the new year.
 
By a happy coincidence, there’s a new and convenient eating option courtesy of Zone Meals to Go, a meal-prep service offering low-carb selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks.
 
“Meal prep is primarily what we’ve done for the past two years in Diamondhead,” said owner Tonya Martin as she put the finishing touches on her new storefront in the Froogles shopping center on U.S. 90.

While we talked recently, several customers came in to pick up large bags filled with prepared meals while employees carted off other orders for delivery.

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Cinnamon rolls

All of the food is low-carb, based on the Zone Diet created by Dr. Barry Sears with the goal of balancing fat, carbs, and proteins as a way of maintaining insulin levels. Martin followed the diet herself to improve her eating habits, but after tiring of the same old meals she “got creative to make food taste good.” One big accomplishment after many attempts was to learn how to make a tasty low-carb bread.
 
“And here we are,” she said from inside her new location at Zone Meals To Go Low Carb Bakery & More. The decor was the handiwork of Martin’s 17-year-old daughter, Jasmine.
 
The meals range from 1,200 to 2,000 calories a day so they can help with weight loss and are considered diabetic-friendly, she said.
 
Customers who sign up for a six-day meal plan receive breakfast, lunch, dinner, two snacks and dessert each day. The meals are prepared and packaged individually for pick up or delivery twice a week.

Chicken and sausage gumbo with "rice" made from cauliflower

"Fried" chicken sandwich

Crispy Ranch chicken with sriracha sauce and spinach bake

"Potato Salad" made from cauliflower

At the new location Martin is able to respond to growing customer demand for healthy grab-and-go meals, baked goods, breads, salads and hot and cold drinks.
 
The meals change every three days to keep things fresh and interesting, Martin said. And customers can come in and enjoy fresh-brewed Coast Roast Coffee and hot tea, a cinnamon roll, or a meal at the cozy tables.
 
On a recent menu, breakfast was apple crisp, lunch included protein-packed parmesan chicken bites, dinner featured Salisbury steak with mashed “potatoes” (actually cauliflower), and desserts included a satisfying but not-too-sweet Nutter Butter parfait, and bread pudding with caramel sauce.
 
Customer Nancy Sorak was in to pick up her second order. She said she likes the size of the servings because cooking small portions can get complicated. “So this is great,” she said.

Nancy Sorak, stocking up for a few days

Thai chicken with celery and hot Thai sauce