The 5 Healthiest Takeout Dishes To Choose
‘Everything in moderation’ is something we hear so often nowadays. The trouble is, when there’s something we really love, we find it difficult to moderate. This is something that’s certainly true of our national love affair with takeout food. Friday night and Saturday night have become known as takeout nights for many families, with some even calling on their favorite mid-week as well.
Takeout might be delicious and it might seem like a good idea when you get back from the office late and all you really want to do is curl up with your new favorite Netflix boxset, but in reality, this kind of diet really isn’t good for your health.
Luckily though, takeout providers and fast-food outlets have changed quite dramatically in recent years and now offer salads, soups, vegetarian and organic foods as well as the traditional pizza and burger. So, next time you’re in the mood for a takeout, take a look at Grubhub for a great choice of healthy dishes, or click here if you’re reading in the UK. For now though, here are some healthy takeout suggestions for the next time you get the munchies.
Indian Food
Some of the creamy curries like Korma, Passanda or Masala can be very high in calories so try a dish without sauce, such as Tandoori Chicken with a half portion of boiled rice. It’s a mere 380 calories and only contains 10 grams of fat. If you’re a real sauce lover, choose a tomato one because it’s lower in calories and you’ll be getting the benefits of lycopene and antioxidants too. Naan bread is delicious but if you opt for a chapatti instead you’ll be saving yourself 300 calories. If you want the benefits of some superfood too then try a dahl, they’re packed full of lentils and are a particularly delicious, healthy option.
Chinese Food
Avoid anything ‘crispy’ if you’re looking for a healthier meal. Szechuan Prawns, steamed vegetables and a half portion of steamed rice is 589 calories and contains only 14grams of fat. Prawns are a great source of protein and provide calcium, potassium and vitamins A and E. Soup and steamed fish are also a good option.
Pizza
Pizza can be a very calorific treat but it doesn’t need to be. Try sharing a medium pizza with a friend rather than wolfing down an entire one to yourself. Seafood and vegetable toppings are a much healthier option than meat. Seafood contains vitamins A and D as well as phosphorus, magnesium, selenium and omega 3 fatty acids. A tuna, anchovy and olive pizza clocks in at just 403 calories and 15grams of fat. Choose a thin base and avoid deep pan or cheesy stuffed crusts.
British Food
I’m talking fish and chips. It may not be the most popular takeout in the US but Long John Silver’s is sometimes described as the McDonald’s of seafood. It’s a notoriously unhealthy form of takeout food but it needn’t be. Potatoes are a great source of vitamin C and fish, well fish is packed with vitamins, minerals and iron. The problem with this as a choice of takeout is the added fat, so here’s some tips for healthy fish and chips: thicker chips (rather than fries) absorb less fat, don’t eat all the batter and don’t cover everything with salt.
Thai Food
If you’re looking to lose weight, avoid those delicious curries which contain coconut milk and opt instead for the clear soups and steamed vegetables. Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup is full of goodness with only 298 calories and Cashew Chicken which, thanks to the cashews is full of healthy fats and protein and will add only a further 394 calories.
Pinstripe Magazine Staff
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