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Healthy Salads, Soups, Appetizers, Side Dishes to order at Restaurant
from: LokeshGorging on weekends what we all love doing. But have you ever wondered that you maybe ordering wrong. Restaurants more often than not can do damage to a healthy diet. So if you want to lose weight and are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle - order right.
Most dishes that 'appear' healthy on the menu, often come with hidden ingredients like butter and oils that can turn it into a calorie and fat intensive meal.
Follow this guide of foods to order:
1. Salads: Salads are very healthy, but they can also be very unhealthy. Follow these guidelines:
GO FOR:
- Salads with fruit, veggies, beans and lean protein, such as grilled chicken or fish.
- Dressings that are vinaigrette based. Always have the waiter or waitress bring the dressing on the side. When you get the dressing, use it moderately.
AVOID:
- Salads containing cheese, sour cream, nuts, tortilla chips or strips, croutons, meats, fried chicken or fried fish.
- Cream or mayo based dressings. (Example, Blue Cheese, Thousand Island, French)
2. Soups: Soups can be a healthy option, but often, they are filled with butter, oil and highly saturated creams or dairy (cheese).
GO FOR:
- Broth or stock based soups that contain fish or chicken, veggies and beans. (Example: Clam Chowder, Gazpacho, Minestrone, Chicken Noodle))
AVOID:
- Soups with cream, cheese or milk. (Example: New England Clam Chowder, Broccoli Cheese)
3. Appetisers: Appetisers are a great way of eating light. Go for two appetisers (such as a salad and a protein based appetiser) to keep your meal light. Avoid appetisers that are fried or greasy.
GO FOR:
- Vegetable based appetisers (salads, grilled vegetables, veggie spring rolls)
- Those with grilled, boiled or seared lean meats (Chicken skewers)
- Fish appetisers that are cooked or sushi style (Shrimp Cocktail, tuna sushi roll)
AVOID:
- Those that are fried (fried shrimp, chicken fingers, dumplings, etc.)
- Those with cheese (artichoke/spinach dip, cheese fritters, etc.)
- Those that come with chips
4. Side Dishes: Many side dishes are vegetable based, which is great for getting in fibre and needed nutrients.
Potatoes:
GO FOR:
- Opt for whole boiled or baked potatoes or sweet potatoes.
AVOID:
- Stay away from mashed or fried potatoes.
Veggies:
GO FOR:
- Opt for steamed or grilled veggies. Avoid grilled vegetables that are oily.
AVOID:
- Those mixed with milk, cream or cheese (creamed spinach, broccoli and cheese) and suteed vegetables.
5. Entrees:
Meats, Chicken and Fish:
GO FOR :
- Grilled chicken or fish. Grilled meats are okay if they are very lean.
AVOID :
- Breaded fish or chicken
- Stuffed meats
- Avoid meats and fish that are fried
- Fatty meats or fatty pork
Pastas:
AVOID:
- Those with tomato or broth based sauces (Example: marinara, puttanesca, olive oil and garlic)
- Those with vegetables and grilled or lightly sauteed chicken or fish
WORST : Those with cream, cheese or meat based sauces (Example: a la vodka, pesto, alfredo, bolognese)
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