Food, diet, eating. A big component of fitness and health is what goes into our stomachs and considering over a third of Brits said they ate out once or twice a week according to 2016 UK survey, it’s safe to say eating out is big fundamental part of our UK culture, the question is, what to eat? Well here at FFUK we’ve broken down 5 cuisines where you can find healthy options especially when eating out, which will not negatively impact your fitness gains and when eaten in moderation will in some cases help complement your fitness journey. Let it be noted, there are other cuisines which offer healthy options, but our choices stem from a combination of what Brits consider their favourite and popular cuisines to eat from and also a choice of our own favourite picks. Let’s tuck in!
Indian
Likely the most popular for Brits in terms of exotic dishes is a good ol’ curry. But most curries in UK Indian restaurants are laced with oil, butter and/or ghee which has trans fats written all over it, however, there are some curry options which reap high in health benefits. The Indians are known for their love of spices and as result has been fundamental in the creation of a varied taste palette which is present among all their foods; turmeric, in particular, is a specific spice which holds a high number of benefits such as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. So if you do stumble across an Indian restaurant, opt for a curry rich in turmeric (curcumin) and avoid curries which hold a high level of oil. If in doubt, opt for a vegetable dish with a side of rice.
Japanese
Sushi is a favourite among many in the UK and even more so in the US and for good reason, it tastes great, looks great and when prepared well can be very nutritious for the body. The Japanese are highly regarded for their healthy diets and wellbeing and sushi is no exception to this healthy regime, of course not all sushi is optimal for a healthy diet, we don’t suggest devouring 10 dragon rolls! However, we do suggest opting for the sashimi if possible. Sashimi is essentially raw meat or fish, assuming the restaurant is trusted in its preparation of the meat and fish, sashimi is a great option when eating our because it possesses all the benefits of meat and fish without the tampering of other ingredients or cooking methods which could affect its nutritional value. Salmon is always a great shout.
Thai
Pad Thai with extra vegetables! This dish is a must and is generally offered at any Thai restaurant, probably considered their most famous dish; a combination of rice noodles with eggs, tofu, shrimp, garlic, chilies and of course extra vegetables. Generally, the noodles are stir-fried which is the only downfall, but the other ingredients of the dish complement the nutritional side of the meal well. Alternatively, we suggest going to Thailand and opting for their fresh dishes offered on the beach side, you can’t go wrong with that.
Italian
A popular one in the UK with a number of new independent restaurants opening up constantly, sometimes it’s hard to avoid a good Italian pizza. However, there is an alternative which is offered by many Italian joints known as a skinny pizza which is basically a thin crust option with a lighter cheese option, just ask your restaurant for their version of this type of pizza.
Chinese
Egg foo young is an omelette dish made from a mixture of vegetables such as carrots, bean sprouts, and cabbages, mixed with crab meat, shrimp, or minced chicken, it is generally served with Sweet and Sour sauce but you can opt out for this option and instead have a side of peas. There aren’t many healthy options available from the Chinese takeaway restaurants here in the UK as most dishes are fried and sautéed in a sugary sauce, but Egg foo young is still a great shout.
If you found this post insightful, why not check out some of our previous posts on our blog page or if you are interested in becoming a qualified personal trainer check out our main page for course information and if you have any questions feel free to email us at info@focusfitnessuk.com.
Written by Daniyal Siddiqui.