By Let’s Move Quad Cities Nutrition Blogger Jeni Tackett, RD, LD

After enduring the winter 2019 in the Quad Cities, you may be looking for an island getaway.

Zeke’s Island Café on Harrison Street in Davenport is the place for you! The food is flavorful, colorful, and fun. You’ll wonder why you didn’t try Zeke’s sooner (at least I did!)

As with any restaurant, there are healthy and unhealthy choices at Zeke’s. Seeing “crispy” on the menu will alert you to the higher fat choices that the crispy shrimp and fried eggrolls represent.

However, if you want to eat healthy, Zeke’s also offers plant based choices. Try the black beans and tofu along with grilled protein options such as grilled shrimp!

Other healthy choices include:
• Jamaican jerk chicken with black beans, rice, and cilantro. Black beans are a wonderful addition to many of the meals at Zeke’s. Black beans are high in fiber, protein, and magnesium. The fiber and magnesium content make black beans a great addition to a heart healthy diet.

• Caribbean tacos with your choice of meat. You can choose grilled tilapia or black beans an tofu to make the tacos a healthy, lean choice. Lean fish such as tilapia is an excellent protein choices for a heart healthy diet.

• Island salads with your choice of meat. I chose the island salad with tofu, black beans, and the tango mango vinaigrette. Zeke’s island salad is one of my favorite salads of all times –flavorful, crunchy, colorful, and satisfying. You also get a choice of an island side. I chose the Hawaiian macaroni salad which is not the healthiest option due to the added mayonnaise (but it was very delicious!). Healthier side options would be the fresh pineapple, steamed rice, or black beans.

Zeke’s also offers gluten free options for those with celiac disease, and the menu is clearly marked to help with gluten free choices.

Treat yourself to an island getaway and enjoy the flavorful, tropical tastes of Zeke’s island café!

Meet Jeni Tackett, Let’s Move Quad Cities Nutrition Blogger. Jeni is a registered and licensed dietitian for Rock Valley Health. Jeni counsels her clients on weight loss and nutrition. You can read Jeni’s bio and other blog posts by clicking here.