| It is common knowledge that eating healthy and | | | | are thin-crust veggie-lover pizzas, items marinated |
| maintaining a healthy weight are difficult tasks | | | | in tomato sauces, cacciatore, marsala, and a |
| when eating at restaurants. Most people eat | | | | biscotti. Italian restaurants often have an excellent |
| foods because of cravings and flavors, not as a | | | | array of vegetarian and lean meat soup and salad |
| means of maintaining health. So until more people | | | | options of which you should take advantage. |
| demand healthy choices, restaurants will of course | | | | Mexican food is possibly the most popular food in |
| cater to cravings and flavors more than catering | | | | the south western region of the United States, |
| to the health conscious eater. That doesn't mean | | | | with some people believing it is American food. |
| you can't eat out and find healthy restaurant | | | | Unfortunately, Mexican food tends to be high in |
| choices now. The rest of this article gives | | | | sodium and there are almost no exceptions. Also, |
| examples on how you can make the healthiest | | | | Mexican food tends to be made with a wide |
| choices among some of the most popular | | | | variety of unhealthy meats, cheeses, and sour |
| restaurant types in the United States. | | | | cream. It is easy to pick out the unhealthy |
| Chinese restaurants are very popular across the | | | | Mexican foods, though. Just avoid the meat dishes |
| country. They're also known as some of the | | | | and ask for your items without cheese and sour |
| biggest health offenders. They provide all sorts of | | | | cream. Stay out of the chips, but feel free to |
| fried foods and some still use MSG. Common | | | | spread the salsa liberally on your food. If you |
| foods that should be avoided by the health | | | | don't have issues with salt or blood pressure |
| conscious at a Chinese restaurant include fried | | | | there is in fact a lot of Mexican food you can eat. |
| rice, egg rolls, fried wonton, duck-based dishes, | | | | Beans of all types are very healthy, though boiled |
| egg foo yung, and fried chicken. Also, don't order | | | | beans are a better choice than refried. Mexican |
| the buffet unless you have checked to ensure | | | | rice is good in moderation. Fajitas are healthy in |
| there are enough healthy choices there to fill you | | | | moderation. There are a wide variety of |
| up. Among the healthier options you can look for | | | | wonderful salads available. Burritos are typically a |
| when you are eating at a Chinese restaurant are | | | | good, healthy Mexican choice. You can also order |
| steamed brown rice, steamed fish, lightly-fried or | | | | your enchiladas with rice, salsa, or beans inside |
| un-fried tofu, steamed vegetable dishes, chow | | | | them instead of cheese or meat inside them. |
| mein, and most vegetable or seafood soups. | | | | Indian food is gaining in popularity. The fact that |
| While Italian food tends to be one of the healthier | | | | many Indians practice some form of |
| types of restaurant food, it can be a nightmare | | | | vegetarianism makes it perhaps the easiest type |
| for those trying to control their weight. Don't | | | | of restaurant for the health conscious eater to |
| even think about eating fried mozzarella sticks, | | | | enjoy. However, diligently watch out for fried |
| pizza, or lasagna. In fact, leave the cheese off of | | | | foods. Also, be aware that many Indian noodles |
| your Italian dishes altogether and you'll cut a | | | | and breads are made with coconut oil or coconut |
| significant amount of fat and calories. Also avoid | | | | milk, which are very fatty. Try to avoid eating |
| creamy Alfredo dishes. Watch out for the deserts | | | | too much white rice as well. Eat the very spicy |
| too. The good news is that Italian noodles often | | | | foods in moderation. Most other Indian dishes can |
| contain complex carbohydrates and some fiber. If | | | | be enjoyed freely. They will typically offer a |
| they have whole wheat, vegetable, or brown rice | | | | wonderful selection of veggie dishes, nuts, and |
| noodles take advantage of those. Some other | | | | legumes. Lentils are a particularly healthy option. |
| foods you can look for with a clear conscience | | | | Best of all, you may indulge in the curry. |