I’m constantly being asked what to order in restaurants. From a nutritionist’s perspective, it can be difficult to navigate a menu to find the healthiest options… whilst also remembering to treat yourself every now and again!
Here are my nutrition-approved tricks to find the most healthy options for a bunch of my favourite cuisines:
Modern Australian
Eat this:
– Go for lean protein (grilled, steamed or barbequed) with a side of green vegetables or a green salad.
– Often I actually go straight for the sides! Roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato chips or simply steamed greens with lemon juice and olive oil are the perfect accompaniment to a meal!
– I also always pair my option up with a fresh green salad.
Avoid this:
– Fried foods and creamy dressings. Ask for salad dressings on the side if you can.
Japanese
Eat this:
– Miso soup or edamame beans.
– Slices of sashimi (white fish is best).
– 1x sushi roll with rice + fish or chicken – brown rice if possible.
– Sashimi salad with seaweed and avocado.
– Chicken/beef teriyaki with Asian vegetables, with sauce on the side, are other fabulous main meal options.
Avoid This:
– Tempura dishes, Japanese mayo and heavy sauces.
Chinese
Eat this:
– Lean protein (chicken/seafood) stir-fry with lots of colourful veggies!
– Opt for poached, steamed or grilled options that use simple Chinese flavours – like chilli, garlic and ginger.
Avoid This:
– Dumplings, spring rolls and fried meats – it’s easy to overeat and lose a sense of portion control when you’re snacking on a lot of little fried dishes.
– Go for boiled rice instead of fried rice too – to cut down on unnecessary oils and fats.
Italian
Eat this:
– Grilled chicken breast, fish, veal or steak with steamed or grilled veggies and an Italian green salad.
– Pizza lover? Choose a thin crusted base and add lots of vegetable toppings e.g. tomato, capsicum, onion, mushrooms etc.
Avoid This:
– Creamy pasta dishes.
– Processed meat toppings.
Thai
Eat this:
– Lean protein (fish, chicken or beef) with vegetables such as bok choy and chinese broccoli – incredibly nutritious!
– When it comes to stir-fries – look for ones made with lime, lemongrass, ginger, basil, chilli and garlic and not heavy sauces (peanut or coconut milk based).
– Dishes that are fresh and light! E.g. Tom Yum soup, a papaya salad with lean protein or a Thai beef salad.
Avoid This:
– Fried dishes e.g. spring rolls, chicken wings or moneybags – tasty, but very high in oil and sodium.
Vietnamese
Eat this:
– Choose vermicelli salads with lean beef or chicken, rice paper rolls and dipping sauces that are light and thin.
– Opt for steamed or poached seafood or meat with fresh herbs – full of flavour without any added nasties!
Avoid This:
– Fried food and creamy sauce.
Remember, following the 80:20 approach like I do (80% good foods, 20% not so ‘perfect’ foods) means allowing wiggle room to indulge! Believe it or not, indulging is good for you – as long as it’s not all the time! Dining out should be a source of joy – a moment shared with loved ones – not something that causes anxiety or stress because there might not be the right or healthiest meal! Treat yourself once in a while, to a delicious meal or your favourite dessert when dining out… Your body and mind will thank you!
