>Want to dine out often and still keep to a healthy diet?
Here are some tips on ordering that could help, says an article on WebMD:
Order salmon and tuna as they help lower your heart disease risk.
Concerned about high cholesterol, blood glucose or losing weight? Then skip over dishes prepared in these ways: Fried, au gratin, braised, buttered, creamed, escalloped, Hollandaise, cheese or cream sauce. You should also snub dishes that are in gravy, pan-fried or cooked in butter sauce.
Opt for items which are baked, broiled, grilled, poached, roasted, steamed in their own juice or garden fresh.
Share your food, particularly desserts.
Chinese food: Skip fried wontons, sweet and sour pork, fried noodles, sodium and MSG. Choose steamed or stir-fried seafood, chicken, beancurd or vegetable dishes with steamed rice for heart health.
Indian food: Give the thumbs down to samosas and creamy curries. Tandoori meats, vegetable or dhal curries and South Indian spicy vegetarian dishes are a better bet.
Thai food: It offers heart-healthy sauces and fresh vegetables. However, saturated fat hides in foods fried in lard and coconut oil. Stick with steamed spring rolls, hot and sour soup and vegetable stir fries. Stay clear of the fried spring rolls and tom ka gai (coconut chicken soup).
Italian food: Steer clear of creamy, cheesy sauces (like Alfredo), fried calamari and pastas stuffed with cheese. Light sauces, like primavera (vegetables), marsala (wine, mushrooms, beef stock), marinara (tomatoes, onions, garlic) or clam are better bets.
Have a craving for pizza? Order a thin crust, ask for vegetable toppings, skip the meat and lessen the cheese. Eat just one or two slices though.
