Finding Healthy Restaurants
Posted by Meadow Summers on Monday, February 7, 2011
Under: Nutrition
Finding a healthy, balanced meal at most fast food restaurants can be a challenge, but there are choices that you can make that are healthier than others. Making healthier choices at fast food restaurants is not that daunting a task if you plan in advance by consulting the guides that explain dietary content of the food choices at your much-loved restaurant. This is because healthy eating is indeed essential.
A salad with dressing on the side can be a healthy meal option
Do you know what healthy eating means? It is a balanced diet that is low in fat, sugar and salt and high in fiber. Your healthy diet must include enough protein, minerals and vitamins. Healthy eating means getting the right balance of different foods.
Following are some examples of healthy food options. Most restaurants offer more health-conscious choices these days:
1. Whole grain bread, sweet potatoes, whole grain cereals, brown rice or whole grain pasta, brown rice, and chapatti. These carbohydrates are starchy which are good for slow-release energy. Select one of these foods at every meal, because they release energy slowly into the bloodstream. High-fiber versions make you feel fuller for a long time. The only fats we obtain in these foods are the fats that we consume with them like butter on potatoes or bread, whole milk on cereals. Watch out for added fats. Choose the low fat versions as much as you can.
2. Vegetables and Fruits. They are rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals. The target is at least five servings per day. Vegetables and fruits give essential fiber and vitamins that help protect the body against some cancers and heart disease.
A serving may be broken down into one of the following:
3. Eggs, yogurt, milk and cheese. They are rich in protein and you may opt for the low-fat types to help maintain a healthy weight.
4. Fish, poultry, meat, vegetables, nuts, tofu, beans, and cheese. They are rich in protein. Legumes and beans also contain useful fibers. Try to have two servings of protein food per day. Red meat contains high fat compared to fish and chicken.
5. Foods that are high in calories like fried and sweet foods should be avoided. These kinds of foods are high in sugar, fat and calories. These include biscuits, cakes, chocolate, fried foods, crisps and pastries. If possible avoid these foods. If you have a craving, at least opt for low-fat and low-calorie versions. Otherwise, enjoy these foods rarely as a guilty pleasure.
Finding a healthy restaurant isn’t as much of a challenge as it used to be. Asian cuisine, such as Chinese or Japanese foods, typically offer plenty of veggie choices that are low in fat. Order sauces on the side in order to control calorie intake.
A healthy meal can be enjoyed almost anywhere. You just need to be a savvy diner.
A salad with dressing on the side can be a healthy meal option
Do you know what healthy eating means? It is a balanced diet that is low in fat, sugar and salt and high in fiber. Your healthy diet must include enough protein, minerals and vitamins. Healthy eating means getting the right balance of different foods.
Following are some examples of healthy food options. Most restaurants offer more health-conscious choices these days:
1. Whole grain bread, sweet potatoes, whole grain cereals, brown rice or whole grain pasta, brown rice, and chapatti. These carbohydrates are starchy which are good for slow-release energy. Select one of these foods at every meal, because they release energy slowly into the bloodstream. High-fiber versions make you feel fuller for a long time. The only fats we obtain in these foods are the fats that we consume with them like butter on potatoes or bread, whole milk on cereals. Watch out for added fats. Choose the low fat versions as much as you can.
2. Vegetables and Fruits. They are rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals. The target is at least five servings per day. Vegetables and fruits give essential fiber and vitamins that help protect the body against some cancers and heart disease.
A serving may be broken down into one of the following:
- Two tablespoons of vegetables – cooked or raw
- A dessert bowl of salad
- An orange, apple, or banana
- A dessert of lightly stewed fruit
- Two small fruits like apricots or plums
- A handful of organic cherries or grapes
- A glass of natural fruit juice
3. Eggs, yogurt, milk and cheese. They are rich in protein and you may opt for the low-fat types to help maintain a healthy weight.
4. Fish, poultry, meat, vegetables, nuts, tofu, beans, and cheese. They are rich in protein. Legumes and beans also contain useful fibers. Try to have two servings of protein food per day. Red meat contains high fat compared to fish and chicken.
5. Foods that are high in calories like fried and sweet foods should be avoided. These kinds of foods are high in sugar, fat and calories. These include biscuits, cakes, chocolate, fried foods, crisps and pastries. If possible avoid these foods. If you have a craving, at least opt for low-fat and low-calorie versions. Otherwise, enjoy these foods rarely as a guilty pleasure.
Finding a healthy restaurant isn’t as much of a challenge as it used to be. Asian cuisine, such as Chinese or Japanese foods, typically offer plenty of veggie choices that are low in fat. Order sauces on the side in order to control calorie intake.
A healthy meal can be enjoyed almost anywhere. You just need to be a savvy diner.
In : Nutrition
Tags: "healthy restaurants" "healthy food" "healthy diet" "healthy eating"
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