Guide to ordering a healthier takeaway
Your way to a guilt-free takeaway
It can be difficult to say no to a takeaway, especially when you have been abstaining from all your favourite foods on your latest diet. But what if we were to tell you that you didn't have to ...? realbuzz.com has come up with a guide to the ordering a healthier takeaway, so you don't have to miss out while everyone else is tucking in.
It has to be said that there are times when nothing but a decent takeaway will do. Sometimes it’s as an accompaniment to a great DVD on a Saturday night; sometimes it’s simply because you’ve just moved house and can no longer find the crockery! However, with all the deep-fat frying and MSG associated with ‘fast food’, it can be hard to marry the idea of a takeaway with the notion of good nutrition.
But you don’t need to resign yourself to thinking of takeaways as a guilty pleasure — if you make the right menu choices, they can be healthier than you’d expect. Read our guide to the guilt-free takeaway and learn how you can order in without feeling as though you’ve pigged out
Chinese food
Instead of guilt-filled ...
Battered sweet and sour chicken, prawn crackers and fried rice = 1200 calories
Go for guilt-free …
Chicken with vegetables and cashew nuts, and boiled rice = 750 calories
Pizza
Instead of guilt-filled ...
Go for guilt-free …
One slice of thin crust vegetable pizza = 160 calories
Burgers
Burgers are similar to pizza in that the preparation and accompaniments determine how healthy (or, rather unhealthy) they are. Toppings like bacon, coleslaw, chilli and cheese add saturated fat, calories and salt. Go for grilled rather than fried whenever you can, and ask for extra salad.
Instead of guilt-filled ...
Go for guilt-free …
Kebab shop
Instead of guilt-filled ...
Go for guilt-free …
Falafel with hummus = 400 calories
Indian food
Indian food has an unfair reputation as the most fattening of all takeaway foods, but remember it’s not the country of origin but rather the menu choice you make that ultimately determines this. Go for a spinach or tomato-based sauce over a creamy one for a dose of vitamins and antioxidants, and choose leaner options such as chicken, prawns or fish in place of fatty meat like lamb. Grilled tandoor meat with salad is an excellent option. Avoid deep-fried snacks such as pakoras or bhajis.
Instead of guilt-filled ...
Go for guilt-free …
Thai food
Instead of guilt-filled ...
Go for guilt-free …
Som tam salad with sticky rice = 370 calories
Mexican food
Avoid deep-fried options such as chimichangas and opt instead for grilled meat dishes. Load up on guacamole for vitamin E and salsa for the antioxidant lycopene, and go easy on the high-fat cheese and soured cream. Fill up with a serving of Mexican rice on the side to stop you reaching for more than you need.
Instead of guilt-filled ...
Go for guilt-free …
Instead of guilt-filled ...
Go for guilt-free …
California roll (six pieces), plus miso soup = 370 calories
Chip shops
The hardest of all the takeaway joints in which to find a healthy option — chip shops by nature deep-fry nearly everything! Avoid anything in batter or any form of fried pastry. Your best bet is a small portion of chips with a drop of ketchup for the lycopene (an antioxidant found in tomatoes which may help prevent cancer).
Instead of guilt-filled ...
Go for guilt-free …
Small portion of chips with ketchup = 260 calories
Comments (5)
tylermcc 'Good suggestions'
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generalmonty 'I'd just avoid the takeaway altogether, most are dreadful...unless you've had a skinful!'
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craigbeat 'Not at all! I went to the Wern Chippy last night and got a 'Mixed Grill'. I needed a fork lift truck to get it out, but the lamb and the belly pork were fantastic!'
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JennaRoo 'I must now go straight to the local indian for a curry ... '
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chris_grice 'i love the take away but most of the time it's more easy to make it myself.. far more healthy too.. that said, like petercampbell I tend to fall victim to the dirty burger after a skin full .. mmmmmm grease '
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