It's takeaway night... advice on options?

VaxSA

I live in a small town in NZ which has limited options - mcd's, kfc, burger king (do not want to go to these places as it would be too tempting for me to just say 'stuff it' and binge), also Noodle Canteen and some chinese places and indian outlets, fish and chips (deep fried only).

Please can someone recommend what they do on their family takeaway night? I know I can skip it but honestly that wont last so I would rather choose a healthier option and keep my night off cooking for the week.

glasshalffull713

Honestly I am just super annoying and basically ask them to alter things to how I would eat it. For example for chinese, I may just get the steamed chicken and veggies with brown rice if they have it, but if I really feel like getting chicken and green beans, I may just ask them to steam the chicken and put the sauce in a container so I can control how much I eat. When we go out for hamburgers, if they don't already have it, I ask for my burger on a salad instead of buns and skip the fries.

For the most part try and get as many veggies as possible and don't be afraid to ask them to change it or put stuff on the side! That and I am not way more selective about where I will go. Also- if you know it's takaway night, just plan the rest of your day ahead and eat really light for breakfast and lunch! Also you can do a little extra exercise. Eating light the next day(s) or getting some extra exercise for the next days is ok too!

tiptoethruthetulips

Indian takeway

Chicken or lamb cultets done in the tandoor oven, dahl or a tomato/capsicum based curry.

smarieallen85

Steamed veggies/chicken from the Chinese place. A half cup or cup of the white rice. Little soy sauce for taste. Maybe a soup?

debubbie

I like going to Wendy's and getting a side salad with a chili to pour on top of it for a "taco salad." Sometimes I will add a kid sized Frosty if I am way under calories for the day. I also like the other suggestions of eating light throughout the day to bank some extra calories for the dinner.

ninerbuff

Spring rolls and PHO!!!!

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Patttience

I'm glad you mentioned the need for a night off cooking. Frankly i don't; think chinese is so unhealthy or indian for that matter. It depends also what you choose.

Please while you are considering my suggestions read the post i've made about fibre. I've just found out the tv shows are watchable on you tube. its called catalyst - gut reaction. Everyone must take time learn about the vital importance of fibre for health. It most likely stuff you do not know.

Anyway re chinese or thai and other asian food. Go for vegie dishes. especially choose their greens. Have some protein - i prefer seafood. go for boiled rice rather than fried rice. What's in chicness foods. Yes there is some msg. So what. you are only eating one day a week if that. Yes its high in sodium but its only water weight and the scale will bounce back in day or two. The chinese eat lots of vegetables. That's a good thing. Avoid the doughy buns, the deep fried foods, and fried rice. I'm not saying never eat these things but if you are trying to lose weight and optimise nutrition go for the other things. the content of asian sauces are mostly not bad at all. A little bit of cornflour is hardly going to do anything negative.

Indian. Indian food in restaurants can have lots of cream, butter, cashews added so can be very high fat. Mostly its the meat dishes that have this content. Go for the vegetable and dal type dishes. basmati rice is one of the best rices nutritionally. Skip the bread. skip the sweet lassi but ask for an unsweetened lassi perhaps. Indian dal dishes are high in fibre. Ask if they've got any yoghurt based dishes. These are delicious and low fat naturally.

I've nothing against fat but just in case you are worried about it. But i only want to eat fat when its combined with other healthy food and is used in moderation. Tandoori chicken might be ok too. one of my all time favourite indian dishes is the famous one with chicken potatoes and rice and usually quite a lot of spice - Biriyani. Its not a classic diet food but a moderate portion will be fine. Sometimes you can find it with red meat instead of chicken. I don't think the vegetarian biriyani is so good.

Thai food is usually quite light. I wouldn't be too worried about the use of coconut milk or cream.

When you eat a fat rich meal, you must not eat to fullness. Anyway try to stop eating any meal before you are full.

dearannna

I'm having Indian food tomorrow, meat or fish cooked in the tandoor with a vegetable side and a chappati

VaxSA

Thank you all! Such awesome advice.

HeidiMightyRawr

My first choice is always lemon chicken with egg fried rice. I get this 95% of the time, I don't even look at the menu and at my old place it was my regular thing. I honestly don't think that's that bad for chinese, it's not the worst you could pick considering chicken is quite a lean meat. For takeaway though, lets face it, none of it is going to be super healthy or anything. You're best off just getting what you enjoy IMO and and not going completely overboard with the quantity. It's not all the time, and you can always have an extra workout or something if you want to.

My other choices (when I fancy something different) sweet and sour chicken balls, or chicken with pineapple, all with egg fried rice. I have prawn crackers as a side around half the time.

Francl27

Eh.... I'd skip it. I mean, it's either a very limited range of 'healthier' options, or anything you want at home.. Second one typically wins. Heck it's faster to pop three chicken breasts on the grill and nuke some veggies than to go to the store to get takeaway too anyway. And cheaper. And healthier.

At this point I'm trying to only eat out (I don't do takeaway, it's just not worth it to me) when I have a craving for something specific.

Ok I realize it's not helping you at all, but just sharing my 2 cents.

ShirleyTonks

In Australia you can get steamed dim sims from fish & chip shops (96 cals). They used to be a reasonable option when I was doing Weight Watchers (2points).

glasshalffull713

My first choice is always lemon chicken with egg fried rice. I get this 95% of the time, I don't even look at the menu and at my old place it was my regular thing. I honestly don't think that's that bad for chinese, it's not the worst you could pick considering chicken is quite a lean meat.

I would get that but ask them to stir fry the veggies chicken and egg but give me steamed rice instead!