Any Indian curries that are tomato-based, like tandoori, madras, jalfrezi, rogan and bhuna, are the lowest in calories. They average around 200-300 calories. If you want an even healthier option, consider a sauce-free dish like fish tikka (which is only 180 calories).
“Go for grilled dishes over fried; chicken and fish over fattier meats, like lamb; tomato or veggie sauces rather than creamy ones; and steamed rice over fried,” advises Laura. She also suggests avoiding sides and other add ons unless they're vegetables as well as eating mindfully and being aware of portion sizes.
Thai cuisine often tops the list of healthy takeaways. Unlike Chinese food, which is often high in sugar and salt, Thai cooking uses fresh herbs and spices to add flavour, while also maintaining a focus on fresh vegetables and good quality meat - meaning dishes are generally lower in calories and fat.
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With spices like turmeric, black pepper, red pepper, cardamom, cumin, coriander and much more, the Indian curry can definitely contribute to good health.
Indian curries tend to be heavy on the fat - ghee, creams, butter and so on. Helen said there is “around 20g saturated fat in this popular curry meal – that's our entire day's maximum daily-recommended amount in one sitting”. “This is not good news for cholesterol levels and in turn, heart health.
For one, Japanese curry uses curry powder with less spices whereas Indian curry uses a variety of bases such as cumin, paprika, turmeric, and many more. Indian curry is more vibrant and bursting with flavor, while Japanese curry is sumptuous and “umami” but in a more understated manner.
"Pizza and Chinese meals tend to be the highest in salt, and pizza and Indian highest in total sugars. "For fat, and especially saturated fat, it shows pizza and English meals to be the highest and Chinese the lowest. Kebabs are highest in trans fats."
A single portion of takeaway curry can contain over 1,000 calories and a huge amount of saturated fat, salt and sugar. You'd need to cycle for about three hours to burn it off. The best way to enjoy your favourite dishes is to ditch the takeaway and make your own.
Takeout doesn't have to mean unhealthy, says dietitian Anna Kippen, MS, RDN, LD. Even foods you'd typically consider “off-limits” can be tweaked to up their nutritional value. Consider these ideas when you're ordering food to go.
So, how many is too many? I'd suggest that once a week should be your maximum, but it will come as no surprise that the answer depends on what you're ordering, where from and how much you're eating.
However, Indian food is such that, at its heart, it is ideal for you and your health. But the point about weight loss is right – as long as we add butter or cream or too much ghee in our curries. Here we have some delicious curry recipes that are high on veggies and low on fat.
