Help - choosing food at a Turkish restaurant

littlemegzz

I am going to a Turkish restaurant for a bday dinner tonight. I am not sure whether we will get to choose from a menu, or if it has alread been organised.

I have never had Turkish before and was wondering what the healthier and tasty options are. On average, how many calories is a dish (if you could give me an idea of what size portion you mean when you reply, it would be very helpful.

If you don't know what is good (health wise); maybe you could give me pointers what to definately avoid.

littlemegzz

Bump -anyone?

kokaneesailor

Generally a middleastern diet is extremely healthy. Lots of fresh vegetables, olive oils, flat breads, yogurt based sauces. I assume the easy thing to do would be to chat up your waiter/waitress and see what there low calorie dishes are. Common sense will prevail regarding how the dish is cooked. If it's steamed or poached its going to be lower in fat than deep fryed or pan fried.

Hope this helps

Bon Apetite

littlemegzz

Thanks a lot. Any suggestions for what is really yummy?

melissaozer

im a little late but the salads are really yummy...my favorite dish is special beyti which is like spicy beef but not sure on the healthy part of it though!!!

annemama

Surely this is too late, but for future reference.... good choices are lentil soup (seems creamy but its broth-based), any shish kebab is good because they simply grill the meat (maybe they add a bit of olive oil but its still good).... you could even ask for the lentil soup, two skewers of shish (lamb is my favorite), and the salad....have them hold the rice/chips(fries).... you could really get out of there for like 500 calories. This assumes that you DON'T eat the bread (good luck!), or the hummus (it is healthy but very high in calories when you start dipping bread in it.... maybe 2 tbsp for 60 calories), and the hellim cheese. This cheese is fantastic, its grilled, and its about 100 calories per slice (business card size). Anyway, the food is delicious and I hope you have a great time!

UnderCoverShyGirl

I love turkish food, and it has great nutrition, but the good stuff isn't always healthy (oh the hellum cheese!!)...but the veggies, tomato/cucumber type salads, grilled meats...i hope you ended up finding yummy things and know that at least you had some great nutrients, even if you are a bit over :-)

LoriBeMe

Bumping this topic as I'm meeting a friend for lunch at a Turkish restaurant today. Was thinking of maybe getting a salad topped with grilled Salmon, Chicken Kebab or maybe a Falafel plate. Not sure about the calories, fat, etc. though....

DizzyLinds

Grilled meats, koftas with yogurt and Auvergne dips, pitta bread is tasty too. I love their desserts!