Yahoo News Healthiest takeaways to order if you're trying to lose weight - from Indian to Chinese
Balancing a long workday with life admin and maintaining a social life can be exhausting. For many of us, the best treat is to forego cooking and indulge in a tasty takeaway to recharge.
However, frequent takeaways can make it challenging to keep track of your healthy eating habits. More often than not, the usual takeaway options are burgers, fish and chips or Indian food.
If you're aiming to maintain your healthy eating habits, you might want to order these specific items which offer a healthier alternative. Indeed, they are not only healthy but also satisfy that takeaway craving.
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According to a by Action on Salt study released earlier this summer, 75% of takeaways are unhealthy. This is because they are typically high in fat and contain a lot of salt.
If you're not in the mood for poke bowls or salad, you can always make healthier choices. Be cautious of 'meal deals' - they can encourage you to order more than necessary, leading to overeating!
However, Deliveroo suggests healthier alternatives. Their website states: "Think salads packed with whole foods like quinoa or spelt and nutrient-dense smoothies when you’re in the mood for something a little sweet."
Many eateries typically display a calorie count for each meal, allowing you to make an informed decision. However, we have suggested some alternatives to guide you towards healthier choices when ordering a takeaway.
A guide to eating healthily when ordering out
Chinese
Be wary of oily and deep-fried dishes on the menu. Surprisingly, it's not main dishes like beef in oyster sauce, chicken chop suey and prawns in black bean sauce that are the culprits.
It's the fried rice, starters and side orders that turn a Chinese takeaway into a health hazard.
Alternatives
Opt for boiled instead of egg fried rice - a standard carton of egg fried rice is high in calories and fat.
Avoid crispy duck - three filled pancakes are calorie-laden as the duck is served with its fatty skin.
Soups are usually low in fat, so choose them over deep-fried starters like wontons, spring rolls, sesame toast and crispy seaweed.
Steer clear of prawn crackers - they may be complimentary but they'll add pounds.
Instead of half a portion of Peking duck, crispy shredded beef with egg fried rice, and half a bag of prawn crackers, consider having crab and sweetcorn soup and chicken in oyster sauce with boiled rice.
Indian
Many dishes are laden with oil and with pilau rice, starters and side dishes, Indian takeaways can wreak havoc on your waistline. Be mindful of what you drink too.
Spicy curries may have you reaching for high-calorie lager to soothe your mouth. Instead, stir in a spoonful of low-fat natural yogurt to cool your curry down.
Creamy curries such as masala, pasanda and korma are laden with calories and fat. Instead, opt for tomato-based dishes like jalfrezi, rogan or madras, or dry dishes like tandoori chicken.
Alternatives
Choose boiled rice over pilau rice. .
Opt for a really spicy curry like vindaloo or madras - it's challenging to overeat.
Go for chicken, prawn or vegetable too, as they're lower in calories than beef or lamb.
Avoid deep-fried starters like onion bhajis, vegetable samosas and poppadoms.
Naans are calorie-dense so choose a chappati instead.
Instead of vegetable samosas, two poppadums with pickles, chicken korma with pilau rice and half a naan, order a chicken tikka starter, beef madras with basmati rice and half a chapatti.
Pizza
The calorie and fat content of pizzas can vary greatly depending on their size, base and toppings. This means you can tailor-make your own pizza, giving you more control over the nutritional content of your meal.
Pizza Hut and Dominos also provide nutritional information on their respective websites.
Alternatives
Choose your toppings wisely - ingredients like pepperoni, salami, spicy sausage, bacon and extra cheese can significantly increase the calorie and fat content. Instead, opt for healthier options such as onions, chillies, mushrooms, tuna, peppers, spinach, olives, pineapple, sweetcorn, chicken and tomato.
Side dishes such as garlic bread, chicken wings or dippers, wedges and stuffed potato skins can considerably increase the calorie and fat content. A better alternative would be to order a salad with the dressing on the side.
Be cautious of meal deals - they can often lead you to order more than necessary and consequently overeat.
Request that your pizza is made with half the usual amount of cheese. Instead of having 2 slices of garlic bread with cheese and half a large Stuffed Crust Meat Feast pizza, consider ordering half a medium Hawaiian pizza and a salad with the dressing on the side.
Fish and chips
Portions are typically large and most items are deep fried. Batter adds more calories to fish, chicken and sausages so consider removing some of it or choose healthier, unbattered alternatives such as grilled fish or roast chicken.
Alternatives
Halve your portions - a large serving of battered cod and chips carries a significant calorie count.
Opt for cod or haddock over plaice or rock as they're lower in calories and fat. Prior to eating, spread your fish and chips on kitchen paper and dab to eliminate excess grease.
Accompany your fish and chips with mushy peas or baked beans - they're low in fat and high in fibre, helping you feel satiated.
Avoid extras like curry sauce, gravy, and white bread and butter. They merely add additional calories to an already calorie-dense meal.
Instead of ordering a large battered rock with large chips, gravy, and two slices of bread and butter, go for a small battered haddock with small chips and mushy peas.
