Because fat is an inexpensive way to add flavour to
foods, it generally means, the cheaper the fast food, the more likely it
contains generous amounts of FAT.
When dining out if you must have a starter and
deserts, then try to share
them, portions sizes are usually big enough. Sharing restaurant food items
with a partner is also, a good way to consume less energy and in some cases
gain a little more nutrition.
Stay away from menu items that state:
-
Crispy & battered
-
Deep fried
-
Buttery
-
Dressed
-
Bathed
-
Sauteed
Be careful when ordering at some restaurants. A stir-fry full of
vegetables
may still contain a large amount of fat. If you find yourself
getting full
quickly when eating a vegetable dish, then it may be because it contains
large amounts of oils from cooking process.
Choose more brown rice, the extra
fiber helps fill us up quicker so
less
calories are eaten.
For Chinese items, stay away from Pork, Duck & Spare ribs!
Instead try choosing more fish, shrimp and scallops.
Item served on a sizzling platter can be a better choice over deep fried
menu items.
Want to eat more healthily at foreign restaurants?
Indian foods are generally very high in fat. Many dishes are cooked in Ghee
which is a clarified type of butter. Tandoori roasting is about the lowest
calorie cooking method, but that doesn't always mean a Tandoori dish will be
low calories. The
chicken may be cooked in a Tandoori style but, if it is
included in a high fat dish then it wont make that much difference to its
energy content.
When ordering from an Indian menu it may be best to choose more; Chutney,
Dahl, Masala, Matta, Paneer, Pilau or Raita dishes.
Try to eat less Chickpea batter, Ghee, Korma, Molee, Poori & Samosas
types
of foods.
If eating out when shopping try a deli style
food restaurant where most of
the snacks are freshly prepared. Split an ample sandwich with a friend in
order to share calories. Or eat half, then take other half home for later -
spreading each meal's energy content throughout the day!
Whenever possible order from the kids menu!
Go for baked potato and/or
salad based
menu items.
***
Many of the food items from an average
Mexican restaurant are fried or
cooked in lots of vegetable oils.
A salsa dip or dressing is a little better on
calories than their usual
salad dressing, guacamole or sour creams.
Some good mexican choices for low calories are:
-
Fajitas
-
Gazpacho
-
chili
-
Ceviche
-
black bean soup
***
When eating Italian foods remember that these dishes often come in
large portions and many
contain good amounts of olive oil and butters.
Some Italian dishes can be very high in calories so choose cautiously.
If you see the following items on the menu, it may be best to choose
something else:
-
Alfredo
-
Alla oanna
-
Carbonara
-
Frito misto
-
Parmigiana
-
Prosciutto
Some of the lower calorie options are:
-
Piccata
-
Red clam sauce
-
Wine sauces
-
Light red sauce
-
Marinara sauce
**
French restaurant items of foods are generally high in fat. It is hard to
find low calorie foods in a standard French restaurant.
What some french menu terms mean:
-
Au vapour - Steamed
-
En brochette - broiled
-
Grille - Grilled
-
A la creme - in cream sauce
-
Au gratin - with cream & cheese
-
En cruote - crusty pastry
-
Remoulade - Mayonnaise sauce
***
For Thai restaurants it is mostly good news. They tend to cook most foods by
stir-frying or steaming.
The general bad boys to avoid on a Thai menu are:
Any dish that contains coconut milk, it's loaded with calories!
Learn more facts about different common fast foods
such as what to avoid or watch out for!
