Outside food may sound (and be) appetizing, but it is not the best for your health. Here’s how you can avoid ruining your body, while enjoying the dishes of your favorite restaurants.
1. Be wary of the words “crunchy” and “crispy”. “Crispy” or “crunchy” are usually used to describe and sell fried dishes, which are usually foodstuffs coated in batter, and deep fried in huge vats of oil. These kinds of dishes may not be the best choice for your health. Instead, ask for steamed, or air-fried versions of these dishes.
2. Always prefer grilled, broiled, baked, poached, roasted or braised dishes. These methods of cooking don’t use ingredients with too much added fat, hence the dishes prepared are much healthier. One should be wary of the sauces used, and should always confirm the preparatory methods before ordering.
3. Start your meal with a salad or soup. If you start your meal with soup or salad, you fill yourself up before the actual main course, and end up having to eat much less than what you would have eaten. This helps preserve your health, and your bank balance. Vegetable soups and fresh salads are also a very good source of fibers, vitamins, and minerals, which are instrumental in filling you up.
4. Prefer soups with a clear broth base. Never opt for cream-based soups when picking out a soup for starting your meal. Go for a clear chicken soup, or a baby corn soup, instead of, say, cream of mushroom.
5. Stay away from red meat. Red meats like lamb, pork and beef are high in saturated fat, which is not healthy for your cholesterol levels. Instead, go for leaner cuts like chicken, or even fish. Seafood is a healthy alternative to meat.
6. Avoid processed and highly fatty meats: Pork belly may be really popular on restaurant menus these days, but it’s essentially a really fatty piece of meat — not healthy. Likewise, bacon, sausage and short ribs are items to avoid when you’re trying to eat healthfully. They have way too much saturated fat and (in the case of the processed meats) sodium to really be good for you.
7. Pass on dishes with maida. Maida, or white refined flour, is usually devoid of nutrients. Opt for whole grain alternatives to maida dishes.
8. Share your dishes. Just because Joey doesn’t share food, doesn’t mean that you don’t have to. Many restaurants serve more food than necessary. While this may seem like a good bargain; it is not the best deal for your health. The best way to solve this is to share your main course meals. By doing this, you get to eat plenty of varied foods, save money, and you also get to keep a good check on your calories.
9. Do prior research. If you’re really concerned about our health, it may prove useful to read the restaurant menu before you go to the restaurant. You can decide beforehand what you wish to order. Bonus points if you’re going to eat at a big chain restaurant; you can also look up their nutritional information of each of their dishes much before you go there.