I am often asked what to order from takeout. Since it’s getting a bit too cold to eat outside and indoor dining is limited, takeout and delivery are the COVID way to dine these days. How do you eat healthy when you order in?
Japanese- Start your meal with miso soup. Did you know that fermented foods like miso benefit weight loss. Ordering sashimi (no rice) is a healthy option. And hand rolls or cut rolls made without rice are always a good idea. Rolls wrapped in cucumber are a healthy trend! It’s easy to get a salad with dressing on the side or edamame for your veggie. If you feel like a hot dish, teriyaki chicken or fish is healthy but substitute the white rice for brown rice. Stay away from tempura even if it’s shrimp and veggies as it’s fried.
Chinese- I am never really a fan mainly because there is so much salt and it's mostly heavily pan sauteed with oil. But if you have a craving, the best way to order is always steamed with sauce on the side. I usually get tofu and veggies steamed.
Italian- I love a good piece of salmon and sauteed spinach or broccoli. Tomato sauce is healthy but stay away from heavy cream sauces. Rather than ordering a full order of pasta opt for a half order as an easy way to limit the hefty portion that they deliver. Stay away from everything fried (eggplant parmesan or chicken milanese are no-no’s). Ordering meatballs (no pasta) and a veggie are a healthy carb-free way order too. And if you're in the mood for pizza, try thin crust with a veggie style topping. When placing the order, tell them to leave out the bread in the delivery.
Mexican- It's totally possible to indulge in some delicious Mexican dishes without packing on the pounds. One tip: don't eat the side of tortilla chips (in fact, like the italian bread that you tell them to leave out the bag, ask them to leave out the chips). Chicken or veggie fajita are a healthy low fat dish to order. And guacamole and salsa are perfect dips to have. Whole beans (as opposed to refried), could be one of the healthiest things on the menu. The fiber in beans lowers cholesterol and helps make you feel full, making it a winning dish!
Greek- Middle Eastern restaurants are great go-tos for times when you want a healthy meal that's low on the meat and packed with veggies. Hummus is a great healthy food that is made from chickpeas, ground sesame seeds, and olive oil. It is packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Keep the pita out of your take out bag and be sure to ask for pre cut veggies. Greek salads are tasty and healthy but be sure to ask for the dressing on the side. A piece of grilled fish or chicken will go nicely on top.
For more ideas, feel free to contact me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com