My friend Doris and her husband both work and have three adorable, active children. As much as they like to cook, they tend to save it for weekends. That means ordering take-out more than Doris would like. And naturally, she's concerned about its nutritional value. Her question: Can they order out and still eat healthy?
I believe they can, but only through wise choices and portion control. Remember -- some restaurant entrees can feed two or three people, and since splitting meals also saves money, it's clearly a "win-win" option.
Making wise menu selections doesn't have to be complicated either. For example, if you're ordering Mexican, choose soft-shell tortillas instead of fried, and avoid toppings like sour cream and guacamole. Also avoid refried beans.
With Chinese, choose chicken, shrimp, or tofu entrees that are steamed or stir-fried, not smothered in heavy sauces. Choose wonton or sweet-and-sour soup over fried egg rolls. For Japanese, stick to sushi, or chicken or fish teriyaki, and avoid the tempuras entirely.
With Italian, watch out. Entrées often come in huge portions. (One word: lasagna. Say no more, right?) Stick with marinara or tomato sauces and avoid cream sauces like Alfredo. Choose pizzas with more vegetables and less meat. I love a well-made thin-crust veggie pizza! To keep the family from overeating, order green salad to accompany pizza, making sure to avoid the creamy dressings.
Doris also mentioned finding her supermarket deli a convenient place for take-out. Convenient, yes -- just be cautious. I recommend rotisserie chicken (remove skin before serving) over fried; grilled or steamed veggies and fruit salad rather than fried potato skins.
