Let’s face it, whether you’re talking about a curry, a pizza or good old fashioned fish and chips, everyone loves a takeaway. By their very nature, however, many takeaways are not the most naturally healthy meal choices. That means that if you’re dieting or are simply someone who is generally health conscious, a takeaway may seem like a treat you must do without.
Fortunately, however, abstinence is not actually the only option as there are some healthier takeaway choices you can make to enjoy the best of both worlds. Below, we take a look at a few of the most popular takeaway options and describe how you can still enjoy a delicious meal whilst keeping your health in mind.
Healthier Fish & Chips Choices
If you want to tuck in to the traditional treat that is fish and chips, you might be surprised at the number of ways you can make your meal that little bit healthier.
Firstly, it is possible at some fish and chip shops to ask if you can swap out traditional batter with breadcrumbs. This makes for a healthier option as breadcrumbs tend to soak up less fat when fried and are in of themselves better for you than a heavy batter.
As well as making that choice, it can also help to look out for a chippie which serves up fatter rather than thinner chips. This makes a difference in a similar way, as the fatter the chips the less fat they absorb when fried.
Healthier Pizza Choices
Arguably one of the most popular of all takeaway options, pizza also offers one of the broadest array of choices when it comes to making your takeaway healthier.
There are often a plethora of options, after all, offered by pizza outlets when it comes to customising any pizza. That means that you are able to remove less healthy toppings and opt for vegetables or other sensible options, like low fat cheese.
It is also worth noting, too, that it is really easy to make a pizza takeaway meal healthier by simply opting for a smaller pizza or by sharing a pizza with a friend.
Healthier Chinese Choices
It might seem a little more difficult to pick out the healthier options from your local Chinese takeaway menu, but there are still a few simple yet handy tips to keep in mind.
Avoiding anything described as being ‘crispy’ or ‘battered’ is a good place to start, as these meals are often deep fried and as such, quite high in fat content. Instead of those dishes, then, choosing steamed or stir fry alternatives is an easy but a beneficial route to take.
Healthier Indian Choices
In the same way as you can make small but beneficial alterations to your usual Chinese order, you can also make similar healthier choices when it comes to an Indian takeaway.
Opting for a curry with a tomato based sauce such as a Madras or a Tandoori, for instance, is often quite a bit healthier than choosing a curry with a creamier sauce. Another straightforward but useful switch to make, too, is to go for boiled rice rather than fried rice as your chosen side.