If a quick bite is your only choice then reach out for those sumptuous street foods without worrying about your waist line. It’s no big deal! You could even escape the trip to an expensive restaurant with your diet plan intact and find healthier options among the street foods that are notorious as diet disasters.

An ideal food that does not derail the diet is one that is not loaded with high fat and high salt or flaunt high calorie  items and essentially carries a plate that is half fresh fruits or veggies, a quarter of whole grains and the rest lean protein. Look out for grilled, baked or boiled options veggies preferably and then add sides of salad or a fruit salad. This could be your spread  if you look for healthy options every time you rush for a quick bite.

A third of people who eat at food joint three or four times a week are obese. More often we forget that for almost every meal that we take, smart choices are there for our picking. That doesn’t mean that you should avoid fast food entirely if you are looking for a few healthy options to order each time you eat out. If you are on the run and hungry, street foods are not only fast but usually hit the spot each time. They are cheap, tasty and above all- so convenient.

The key however is self restraint- both in how often you frequent these street food joints and what you eat leaning on side rails. Street food menus are tricky if you are watching your belly. Finding safe and healthy food at these wayside joints is always a challenge, but there are always choices that you can make that are healthier than others. Just learn to keep your entire meal to 500 calories or less …no more. The average adult eats 836 calories per tuck-in each time and usually underestimates what he or she ate by about 175 calories. So… no wild guesses-  nutritional info on various food items is available at number of websites and franchise locations. Take advantage of this info. Opt for foods that are lower in fat and high in protein and fiber. Look for items with more good stuff like fiber, whole grains and high quality protein. Look out for spreads that are low in saturated fats and steer clear of dishes that carry trans fats.

But then you could be wrong if you assume that healthy sounding dishes are always the best bet. Many salads turn into a diet minefield once they get smothered in high fat dressings and fried toppings. This is where learning before ordering could make a huge difference. Remember what you eat is your best bet to live a healthier lifestyle.

Here’s how;

Pin on to zero calorie beverages

Soda, a huge source of hidden calories packs in around 300 calories in a large pack. Shakes are even worse and have about 800 calories stowed in – that’s a day’s worth of saturated fats. And don’t be fooled by lemonades or fruit drinks. These add calories and sugar and definitely lack much in the way of nutrient. Be wiser about sides and ask for water, diet soda, or unsweetened tea instead.

Those side dishes are evil and mean no good to you

Beware of items that come with side dishes. Sides like fries, chips, rice, noodles, onion rings, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, biscuits, and mashed potatoes with gravy, could set the calories flying. Better bets are salads with light dressing, baked potato that are easy on the toppings, fresh fruits, or corn on the cob (a cooked ear of freshly picked maize).

And pass on those French fries for you could do without them. A sandwich or burger has plenty of filling of its own.  Still if your meal doesn’t sound complete without this ravishing evil choose the smallest size. This could be a whopping 400 calories lesser than the large serving.

Even lean meat could wreck your diet plan

Adding meats- even the lean ones to sandwiches and salads is always a tempting thought. But these have very few nutrients and are high in fat and calories. Ask for extra pickles, onions, lettuce, tomatoes or mustard to add flavor without the fat. Even skipping high fat toppings like cheese, noodles and croutons could save you from adding hundreds of calories!

And if you could, avoid salads that have deep fried sea food, cheese and sour cream that make them high fat, high calorie diet-chart busters.

How promising are the diet plans

Diet plans are time consuming and could make you often wonder if fast food is the only way to cram a meal into a busy schedule. May be you just couldn’t let go of those spellbinding McDee burger! Either way it’s all too easy to overload on fast food items with high counts of trans fat, salt and additives that could bring some serious harm to your health.

But did you know that there are healthy food options too on the food menu of these street side joints? While most nutritionists would reject the idea of eating fast foods that are on best weight loss tips, there are plenty of street foods that are loaded with nutrients and go easy with calories at the same time.

A lot many sidewalk joints are offering these options now. Some of these are sure to surprise you if you are apprehensive about the scary ingredients hiding in your favorite dish! Save yourself the trouble. You could always check with 20 odd nutritionist approved menu items on the Net you can trust. These joints serve you far less spooky stuff than you could have imagined; more as a margin trimming exercise than any afterthought on food’s nutritional value that is served. Whatever… you win either way. Less ingredients and still lesser trans fats means your worst fears have the bottom knocked out.  

Once you decide on living a healthy lifestyle, you need to gradually change the way you look at what comprises a healthy meal.  Be determined to make this change for the long term and not because of any urge to make this a fad.

Looking for something refreshing and healthy!

If you think that you are done with the recipes doing round on the internet and want to try something new and healthy- these street food items might tickle your taste buds right. Not only these could be appropriate to what you consider as flavorful and healthy but you could also have a taste of savory cuisines- literally.

South Indian Food : You can start by trying South Indian healthy street food items that bet on strong flavors, go easy with fats and are finger-licking good! Needless to say the cuisine has set firm roots all over the world. Soft, steamed idlis are not only extremely healthy, but are absolutely delicious with coconut chutney and sambhar. Crispy fried dosas are an anytime snack favorite and can compliment practically any gravy. Though traditionally made with coconut, the chutney can also be made with onions, tomatoes, chilies and coriander!

Palak Paneer: Healthy, delicious and innovative, Palak Paneer essentially made with spinach and farmer’s cottage cheese (paneer), is nearly always the star of the table when it comes to vegetarian fare. Add a few naans or rotis (flatbreads) to it and you have a complete nutritious meal.

Biryani: This classic concoction of rice and chicken has more variants than any other dish! Modifications specific to various regions is what keeps this dish interesting. While some keep it classic, many street side eateries mix the rice with a pre-cooked gravy for the moist flavorsome appeal and then add the meat.

Corn on the cob : Another widely adored street food is corn on the cob (also known as bhutta). The corncobs are roasted on a hot coal stove and then rubbed with some lemon juice, salt and spices. A variant of this is the boiled American corn that is sold in small plastic cups. Beware of the amount of butter that goes into it, though!

Sandwich : The toasted sandwich is a particularly popular snack, Stuffed with tomato, potato, cucumber and onion and lathered with some chutney; sandwich can be eaten plain or toasted. The fillings vary and may include vegetables such as capsicum and beetroot. Most sandwich vendors now offer the option of brown bread as well, although mass-produced brown bread is hardly the healthy variety.

Momos : Always very popular as a savory dish, these steamed dumplings are a healthy and filling snack on the go. Vegetables or meats are stuffed inside parcels made of rice flour. These are usually served piping hot with spicy sauces.

Pav bhaji: Infinitely popular this Indian street food is generally made spicy, loaded with veggies and lugs a generous amount of butter. Though it is loved throughout the year, winters are the best time to relish this for all the vegetables that can be added to it. Just take a look at those peas on top, you will understand what I am saying.

McDonald’s Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich: Grilled chicken sandwiches generally make better healthy lunches than hamburger patties. Pair yours with a salad and light dressing and low-fat milk or water to drink. This fast food is not meant to expand your waistline for calories may be far below 500, but your blood pressure may take a flip because of high sodium contents, if you gorge on it regularly. So, don’t bite it too often!

Burger King Whopper Jr. : Burgers could be a smart choice if you load yours with veggies like onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles for added flavor without additional salt or fat. Skipping cheese and settling for barbecue sauce or ketchup instead of mayonnaise saves on calories. You could try the garden patty option too. Regardless of which burger you pick, skip the bun and you could slice off another 140 calories.

Singapore Chili Crab: If you have a knack for spicy meals, schedule your next rush to a roadside eatery for lunch grab where crab finds prominence in the menu ! This dish is healthy because it contains 45 grams of protein and only 9 grams of fat. The micronutrients that this dish offers are essential for keeping your weight on track.

Korean Fried Chicken Burger: The perfect combination of fried chicken and burgers into your plate is created to not make you feel guilty about eating it. This dish contains 19 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber. The recipe could be a bit tricky because it combines ingredients that are meant for the chicken with the kimchi-style sauce.

Tandoori Chicken: Chicken is one of the best sources of protein, and is naturally low in calories. The only concern is that it’s preparation  require oil which compromises on the health factor. Tandoori chicken is however, prepared without any oil, from a paste made of chicken, spices, and a little butter. Just make sure your vendor doesn’t use artificial colors and you’re good to go,

Sweet potato: Potatoes are ever woefully accused of being unhealthy and leading to weight gain. On the contrary potatoes are good for health. Sweet potatoes are loaded with a number of nutrients like vitamins A, B, and C, and minerals like manganese, potassium, and iron, along with a good amount of fiber. Topped with lemon and spices to enhance flavor there is nothing wrong with having sweet potato, even regularly.

Stuffed Parantha : This version of Indian flatbread is satiating, contains the richness of butter, and is delicious. Street joints usually offer stuffed variants ranging from vegetables, boiled potato or paneer  all mixed with assortment of taste enhancing spices. These fillers are needless to say, good for health. What more, it is prepared on the spot, so you could watch and ensure that the person making it uses less oil. The paratha itself is made of wheat flour, so nothing wrong over there. Butter, which in low quantities is perfectly healthy, and the pickle is also none too bad for your guts or health.

A hot bowl of Soup: Whenever the time is of the essence and is running short, instant soup is a quick fix for eating on a time crunch and getting respite from the stress conditions. It works as an easy and comforting snack for people of all ages.

Spiced lamb and Feta gozleme : Who says you can no longer eat a single pizza when you want to live a healthier lifestyle? Turkish Gozleme with Lamb are savory homemade flatbreads filled with ground lamb, spices, herbs and feta cheese. You won’t be able to eat just one! They’re incredibly delicious and full of great flavors! Each serving contains 65 grams of carbs, 4 grams of fiber and 38 grams of protein.

Shawarma: Shawarma is a dish from Middle Eastern cuisine consisting of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly-turning vertical rotisserie or spit. Originally made of lamb or mutton, today’s shawarma may also be chicken, turkey, beef, or veal. However, shawarmas typically run in the 600-calorie neighborhood, once you’ve added in the pita and sauces. So if you wish to maintain your toned flat stomach, try only once in a while or only to make good your calorie shortfall. Whatever… it’s delightful, divine and knock-out tasty, all at the same time.

Get the best in health and wellness

Your attempt to have a healthier lifestyle should not be harmed just because of the limited options for food available for you. You should be inquisitive enough to search for healthier meals around you, and street foods could become an excellent option for you. And there are a lot of healthy finger foods which you can try and that won’t break your teeth when you bite into them.

Think about this in your next internet search and I am sure, you’ll be able to discover more food cart dishes that fit to your healthy lifestyle!