Eating out is so much fun when you don’t have to worry about taming an unruly belly. But that’s rarely the case for most of us blessed with a metabolic rate slower than a slithering snail. While it’s necessary to battle the gluttony growling inside your head, it is not necessary to deprive yourself of sumptuous snacks.
Thriving on homemade meals can get very monotonous for those eating them, as well as those who are cooking them. Why don’t you go ahead break through the monotony? Get all dressed up and walk out that door! Sniff the vast range of cuisines the city has to offer and eat to your heart’s content. Gone are the days when eating out was taboo to that little part of you which cares about BMI and BMR. Because restaurateurs and cordons bleus have already started recognizing the health-conscious clientele. So if you scrutinize menu cards carefully, it is very likely that you will find healthier alternatives for every indulgence.
From pizzas to burgers, many restaurants have created diet-friendly versions of our favourite foods. If it’s not on the menu, you could request your server to prepare a dish the way you’d prefer it. The famous kebab place Kareem’s serves rich and greasy mushroom appetizers. But if you specify your health concerns, they will serve you the same without brushing on extra butter and cream.
Here’s a rundown of heath food toppers, which are high on taste and low on calories.
Fast-food and fitness? Possible. McDonalds has lightened its otherwise heavy menu. Many outlets serve multi-grain versions of chicken or paneer wrap. They also have the salad-sandwich which, ironically enough, is a burger. The filling comprises of crunchy lettuce, red cabbage, carrot and some sauce. Without the deep-fried patty and cheese, it still satisfies your taste buds while helping you cut back on fats. You can’t go wrong with pizzas. They are screaming unhealthy! But there’s hope. The pizzas at Garcia’s Famous Pizza are made with multigrain base on request. Sandwiches loaded with mayonnaise and cheese hardly pass as healthy, of course. Barista has the slimmers’ sandwich made of whole wheat bread, cabbage and carrot. Try high-fibre and whole-grain bread preparations like the crostinis and bagels served at The Bagel Shop and Café Moshe. Subway offers a great variety of low-fat sandwiches.
If you’re in for an Italian treat, try Out Of The Blue’s ‘Spa Menu’. It is a set meal of low-cal soup, salad, pasta and dessert followed by a complimentary foot massage! And if it’s pav-bhaji you crave for, it must be from the light-menu at Soam, what with the roasted wheat pav and bean-sprouts bhaji. Gorge on parathas mindlessly, as long as they are roasted! Compliment the chef at Only Parathas for this one. Indulge in chicken and fish by opting for cooking methods like ‘roasted’ ‘steamed’ and ‘grilled’ instead of ‘fried’.
For the sweet tooth, Mumbai Times Café offers muffins and cakes that are lip-smacking yet low-fat. Café Basilico has baked blueberry cheesecake. Many bakers have started serving sugar-free and low-fat items. Ice-cream parlours have been quick to follow suit. Ah…a boon to diabetic patients who are advised against sugar consumption! Those who test their willpower by keeping their eyes off ice-cream could use the gift of gelato. Gelato is made with milk, sugar and fruits. As it is devoid of cream, it is considered fat-free.
Guzzlers can opt for skimmed milkshakes, which are a great alternative for sweetened milkshakes. Try Celcius, a light grape-based drink at Moshe’s. Coffee lovers can skip sugar if calories matter. The delicious and guilt-free ‘slim cappuccino’ at Candies is worth trying.
The need for healthy yet delicious food has driven some entrepreneurs to open specialty restaurants, solely dedicated to heath food. Pure restaurant at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, serves food made only with organic ingredients. Swadshakti in Mumbai serves low-fat, low-calorie versions of local delicacies and chaats.
So next time you want to indulge, don’t compromise on your fitness plan. Instead, explore the healthy alternatives and wolf up your favourite meals without going on a guilt trip.
Tags: burger, diet, healthy, low-calorie, pizza
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