Indian Food for lunch. HELP!

IamUndrCnstruction
IamUndrCnstruction Posts: 691 Member
in Food and Nutrition
It's not often that I go out for lunch with co-workers, maybe once a month. Today a group of us are going to an Indian restaurant for lunch. I have not had a lot of Indian food, so I am not sure what to stay away from, or what would be relatively decent. I know portion control is really key, but I would like to be able to make an informed choice. The only Indian food I have had before is mushroom saag, which I love, and chicken tikka masala, which was delicious but seems like it would be highly caloric. Any suggestions? What are your favorite Indian dishes. Oh, and I don't like coconut, so some of the curries I don't think I would like. Please help!
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Replies

  • IamUndrCnstruction
    IamUndrCnstruction Posts: 691 Member
    Awwww...come on...no one likes Indian food?
  • soupandcookies
    soupandcookies Posts: 212 Member
    I usually get tandoori chicken or chicken tikka (NOT chicken tikka masala, which is in a rich sauce). are both yogurt/spice marinated chicken, baked in a tandoor oven, but tandoori is both light and dark meat, and chicken tikka is just breast meat. Lentil dal is also a good choice!
  • drosebud
    drosebud Posts: 277 Member
    Love it :-) but my local indian restaurants use a lot of oil/ghee and I prefer lighter home made.

    The drier recipes, such as tandoori chicken, might be a better option than the sauce based ones. I love dahl, but again, it can be calorific from a restaurant especially if they put tarka on.

    (edit: great minds, previous poster!)
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    It's not often that I go out for lunch with co-workers, maybe once a month. Today a group of us are going to an Indian restaurant for lunch. I have not had a lot of Indian food, so I am not sure what to stay away from, or what would be relatively decent. I know portion control is really key, but I would like to be able to make an informed choice. The only Indian food I have had before is mushroom saag, which I love, and chicken tikka masala, which was delicious but seems like it would be highly caloric. Any suggestions? What are your favorite Indian dishes. Oh, and I don't like coconut, so some of the curries I don't think I would like. Please help!

    Lots and lots of naan to start, then pakora for your veggies, then something like butter chicken and gulab jamun for dessert
  • IamUndrCnstruction
    IamUndrCnstruction Posts: 691 Member
    Thank you! I love the spices,and anything spicy, just not much experience with it.
  • IamUndrCnstruction
    IamUndrCnstruction Posts: 691 Member
    It's not often that I go out for lunch with co-workers, maybe once a month. Today a group of us are going to an Indian restaurant for lunch. I have not had a lot of Indian food, so I am not sure what to stay away from, or what would be relatively decent. I know portion control is really key, but I would like to be able to make an informed choice. The only Indian food I have had before is mushroom saag, which I love, and chicken tikka masala, which was delicious but seems like it would be highly caloric. Any suggestions? What are your favorite Indian dishes. Oh, and I don't like coconut, so some of the curries I don't think I would like. Please help!

    Lots and lots of naan to start, then pakora for your veggies, then something like butter chicken and gulab jamun for dessert

    Ok, I do know enough about it to know that I doubt any of those things are what I am looking for LOL....though they all sound delicious...so umm..thanks....
  • drosebud
    drosebud Posts: 277 Member
    I made this chicken curry at home recently and it was delicious, if you fance a bit of DIY :-)
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/low-fat_chicken_curry_88832
  • IamUndrCnstruction
    IamUndrCnstruction Posts: 691 Member
    I made this chicken curry at home recently and it was delicious, if you fance a bit of DIY :-)
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/low-fat_chicken_curry_88832

    That looks wonderful!
  • ladypenel
    ladypenel Posts: 88 Member
    Prawns or fish are a good choice or the dryer curries You can substitute chipati for rice so offsetting some cals and carbs. One papa pappadum is about 80 cals Enjoy it then watch ur intake later in week!!
  • katelynal
    katelynal Posts: 114
    I second the tandoori chicken suggestion. The local Indian buffet here often has aloo gobi (cauliflower/potatoes)... also a cabbage dish that would probably work... plus the spicy cold carrot sticks (highly recommend).

    Enjoy!
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Awwww...come on...no one likes Indian food?

    We do, that's why we don't understand why you'd "avoid" certain things.

    You said it yourself--you don't do it very often. Enjoy yourself.

    Indian food, in general, is full of vegetables, lean chicken, and/or fish. Not all of the creamy sauces are attributed to cream, too--lots of slow simmering. You can load up on Indian food pretty easily without going over.

    I want Indian food really bad now.
  • LH85DC
    LH85DC Posts: 231 Member
    OMG I love Indian food. Sometimes the restaurant versions of things can be a little bit heavy on oil, but I think it's totally worth it. I always make sure that I have enough calories for at least one piece of naan (at my favorite place I always ask for them not to put extra butter or oil on it). My favorite Indian dish ever is channa masala- chickpeas and onions in a delicious tomato-based sauce. Chicken tikka is always good, malai chalak (spinach dish) is tasty. There's always lots of veggie options, and lots of places will have simple grilled meats if you feel more comfortable going for things without sauces. Avoid fried things like samosas to save calories for other good things!
  • ladypenel
    ladypenel Posts: 88 Member
    I want Indian food really bad now.
    [/quote]

    Lol me too!!
  • SummerLovesPhil
    SummerLovesPhil Posts: 242 Member
    Indian food is fantastic, actually! A little high in sodium, but that's restaurant food in general. Just ask your server for recommendations for dishes that aren't soaked in butter. Something with lentils or chickpeas will be high in protein, and of course get lots of vegetables. Steer clear of too much bread or rice and you should be golden.
  • IamUndrCnstruction
    IamUndrCnstruction Posts: 691 Member
    Awwww...come on...no one likes Indian food?

    We do, that's why we don't understand why you'd "avoid" certain things.

    You said it yourself--you don't do it very often. Enjoy yourself.

    Indian food, in general, is full of vegetables, lean chicken, and/or fish. Not all of the creamy sauces are attributed to cream, too--lots of slow simmering. You can load up on Indian food pretty easily without going over.

    I want Indian food really bad now.

    You are correct, and I should listen to my own self LOL.....just don't want to go crazy as this is a buffet and it would be so easy! Thank you for the "check" and you are more than welcome to join us!
  • kkaci5
    kkaci5 Posts: 59 Member
    Chicken or vegetable biryani. It's dry, not sauce, and sooo good. I make it at home.
  • selfepidemic1
    selfepidemic1 Posts: 159 Member
    Honestly? I would just enjoy your one cheat. If you only cheat once a month all is well! You are allowed to have good food y'know! Perhaps even do some exercise this week to validate it C:

    Unless Indian food isn't something you 100% enjoy, then keep with what people have offered!
  • minky_r
    minky_r Posts: 95 Member
    Im indian and if you dont make it yourself you are looking at alot of hidden calories. Stay away from the curries ...cream,butter,...
    usually the apps will be fried.
    Go with the bbq ground beef (kebab) or tandoori chicken. Basmati rice, salad.
    Enjoy :)
  • 89nunu
    89nunu Posts: 1,082 Member
    Awwww...come on...no one likes Indian food?

    We do, that's why we don't understand why you'd "avoid" certain things.

    You said it yourself--you don't do it very often. Enjoy yourself.

    Indian food, in general, is full of vegetables, lean chicken, and/or fish. Not all of the creamy sauces are attributed to cream, too--lots of slow simmering. You can load up on Indian food pretty easily without going over.

    I want Indian food really bad now.

    ^^this

    They generally write on the menu what's in the dish, so it's easy to have something without cream or coconut. But generally just enjoy it. Indian food is generally quite healthy!

    Also, gosh I'm happy I made Dahl yesterday that's waiting for me at home!
  • LarryDUk
    LarryDUk Posts: 279 Member
    I don't really understand the concept that eating out is cheating??? I eat out ALL the time. I manage to stay within my calories most of the time. Enjoy the lunch. Indian is easy if you want low calories.
  • DragonflyF15
    DragonflyF15 Posts: 437 Member
    I would stick to the tandoori chicken for protein and that it's baked. I also like the aloo gobi which is made with cauliflower and potatoes with a spicy mix of tumeric, not very curry like, so lighter on the calories. Skip most of the appetizers and pastry ball stuff, they are usually fried. If the soup of the day is broth based, go for it, otherwise cream based probably means high calories. They too can be full of veggies and spices, esp Dal. If you see that, have it first to fill you up so you eat less of everything else. My favorite Indian restaurant, I love their palak paneer, but they do everything in a very healthy way where as some restaurants will make it very oily with too much ghee Same with naan, if it's oily, it's probably been glazed or soaked in the oils. Better to fill up on plain basmati rice. If you see oil sitting on it, probably best to avoid it. Are you going to a buffet? Usually they will have fresh fruits and veggies as options. I like the cucumber/carrot salad with some raita on it. If you are wanting a dessert, skip the syrupy stuff and ask for a lassi. It's mainly yogurt based with mango and less sugar than a typical smoothie. I would say about 300 calories per serving, so if you could split it with a co worker, it could be a nice treat without breaking the waistline budget :)

    If it's a buffet style place, I start off with my soup, then usually try to look over everything thing first, and fit everything on one plate. If ordering off a menu, try to stick to the tandoori section and if ordering veggies, stick to ones that say saag which means they have green veggies in them.

    Or you could just enjoy whatever you want and then cut back on your other days. Treat it as a treat day. Either way, Enjoy! :smile:
  • IamUndrCnstruction
    IamUndrCnstruction Posts: 691 Member
    Thank you all :) It's nice to have some idea what to look for as this is a totally new experience for me.
  • 34blast
    34blast Posts: 166 Member
    I usually get tandoori chicken or chicken tikka (NOT chicken tikka masala, which is in a rich sauce). are both yogurt/spice marinated chicken, baked in a tandoor oven, but tandoori is both light and dark meat, and chicken tikka is just breast meat. Lentil dal is also a good choice!

    This is the best advice, I usually do the chicken tikka plus some type of veggies, occasionally the tandoori chicken.
  • suziepoo1984
    suziepoo1984 Posts: 915 Member
    Look in the menu and avoid cream based dishes. Ask for Roti/Phulkas, they are better than Nan (ask them to make them dry with no ghee/oil). As gravy order Dal tadka and some dry sabzi like Allo gobi or some chana masala, rajma, aloo tomato , mixed veg, saag paneer etc.They should also be ok. Cream based ones are Dal Makhni, Malai Paneer etc. Get raitha too on the side.

    Indian food is yummy(ofcourse i am indian, so biased :)). Just enjoy it. I eat these dishes(even cream based ones) regularly and still losing weight. Moderation is the key my friend.
  • silvergurl518
    silvergurl518 Posts: 4,123 Member
    Indian Food for lunch. YAY!!!!!!

    there, fixed it for ya ;)
  • IamUndrCnstruction
    IamUndrCnstruction Posts: 691 Member
    Indian Food for lunch. YAY!!!!!!

    there, fixed it for ya ;)

    You are awesome! I went, I ate, I enjoyed!!!!
  • live2dream
    live2dream Posts: 614 Member
    My faves are chana masala (spicy chickpeas) or aloo gobi (spicy cauliflower and potatoes). Ask for light on the oil.
  • silvergurl518
    silvergurl518 Posts: 4,123 Member
    Indian Food for lunch. YAY!!!!!!

    there, fixed it for ya ;)

    You are awesome! I went, I ate, I enjoyed!!!!

    btw, i'm glad you enjoyed yourself :) xoxo.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I woud eat all the food, work out later and eat a very small dinner, if any.
  • cici1028
    cici1028 Posts: 799 Member
    Indian is one of your safest bets! Stay away from anything "korma" or "tikka masala" which both have cream in the sauces. Limit your naan... try chapathi instead!

    Channa Masala, Shrimp or chicken vindaloo, baigan bharta (eggplant) and vegetable, shrimp or chicken curry are all very healthy bets. And choose one... do the rice or do the bread. Don't do both! Have fun. Report back and tell us what you had!

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