How to Eat Healthy at an Asian Restaurant

If you are interested in sticking to a diet, eating Asian food can seem like a waist buster. What many do not realize is that Asian cuisine can actually be very healthy for you, depending on some of the decisions you make. As with most other types of ethnic foods, there are both healthy and unhealthy types of Asian foods.

Instructions

1. Skimp on the rice. Try to stray away from fried rice, which is incredibly high in calories and fat. Steamed rice is a slightly healthier option, but may not be the best choice for you if you are trying to reduce the amount of calories and carbohydrates that you eat. If you are going to eat rice, be sure to opt for a very small portion.

2. Fill your plate up with steamed vegetables. The more vegetables you eat, the merrier you will be when you see that your diet does not fail. Vegetables are very filling, mainly due to the high amount of fiber that they contain. They are also very low in calories, making them diet-friendly.

3. Avoid eating fried foods at Asian restaurants. This means egg rolls, Chinese noodles, donuts and General Tsao’s chicken. Although eating these and other fried foods in moderation may not totally kill your diet, it is best to avoid them altogether if you care about protecting your heart and not gaining weight in the long run.

4. Ditch the soy sauce. Although it may taste good, it is very high in calories and sodium. If you are going to be drinking water with your Asian food, soy sauce will cause you to retain it and ultimately will cause you to gain water weight. If you opt for a steamed vegetable dish that contains a dark sauce, ask for a white or clear sauce to prevent yourself from eating unwanted soy sauce.

5. Eat some sushi. If you haven’t tried it yet, consider doing so. It is believed to be one of the main reasons that Japanese people tend to live a lot longer than people in the United States. Like most other types of fish, sushi will help protect your heart, as well as make you feel full faster and longer.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid dishes that consist only of high sugar vegetables, such as peas and carrots.

• Always try to opt for chicken instead of pork or beef, with the exception of General Tsao’s.

• Remember that lo-mein is not much healthier than rice but may seem more filling for some people.

• Don’t be afraid to try out new things when eating Asian cuisine.

• Don’t always limit yourself from the Asian food you love. Eating it occasionally will not hurt your diet too much.