Several restaurants and cafes in London prioritise healthy dinners and snacks. So, if you’re looking for a healthy restaurant near you to grab some organic and light foods, this article can help.
But first of all— what do you mean by low-calorie foods?
Low-calorie foods mostly contain lean protein, nutrients, and whole grains. They are usually low-fat and full of good fibre. A low-calorie diet will keep you full enough throughout the day while keeping you in good shape.
We will discuss the importance of low-calorie foods and five valuable tips for finding them when dining out. Three top restaurants with healthy food options are also included!
Why You Should Choose Low-Calorie Foods
While a low-calorie diet may not be prescribed for everyone, there are reasons why you might opt for it. Let’s check out some vital reasons below:
- Good for Weight Loss: Low-calorie foods such as Tandoori Chicken can help you lose weight within a short period of time. Besides, you’ll get rid of undesired diseases and health conditions, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and so on.
- Mood Booster: A low-calorie diet usually contains foods with a large amount of nutrients and minerals. These help your body function well, get good sleep at night, and stay cheerful most of the day.
- Reasonable Cost: Maintaining a low-calorie diet doesn’t involve expensive foods. You can find them in the local supermarkets or stores at reasonable prices. There’s no requirement for supplements or extra protein if you order foods such as Chana Masala.
- Healthy Life: Low-calorie foods such as Vegetable Biriyani involve good fibres, whole grains, seasonal vegetables and fruits, lean protein, etc. These foods can keep your body functioning well while your body burns calories. You lose the necessary weight, but you achieve your fitness goal as well.
5 Tips to Choose Low Calories Foods When Dining Out
Eating healthy and low-calorie foods while dining out can be easy if you follow some practical tips. Applying these tips will make your lunch or dinner nutritious without destroying the taste. So, let’s check out our five top tips below:
Start with Healthy Appetisers
Appetisers can be tempting when they’re full of cream, spice, or butter. Crispy fries or scones, potted shrimp, salted wings, etc., must be yummy to start your meals with. However, having them too much before the main course can be unhealthy.
Once you’re used to having heavy appetisers before meals, your body craves more fats and sugar. This kills the purpose of eating low-calorie foods because you’re ultimately filling your tummy with more than expected.
For healthy appetisers, try fried cauliflower wings, beans and fresh vegetables, salads, and stuffed mushrooms.
Add More Vegetables to Dishes
One of the most effective and fastest ways to reach your weight-loss goal is to reduce your excess protein and carbohydrate intake. To do that, add more vegetables to your dishes when eating out.
If you have a good rapport with the restaurant's restaurateur or chef, tell them to prepare healthy dishes full of fresh and nutritious veggies.
To enjoy low-calorie, healthy meals, try tomato or tortilla soup, bean curry wraps, veggie sausage casserole, and more.
Take Smoothies and Cocktails out
Delicious smoothies, beverages, or cocktails at restaurants and cafes may trick your mind into having them more. Nonetheless, even such liquid meals can go wrong when you're on a low-calorie diet.
In fact, drinking them lets more calories sneak into your system than you want. So, for now, stick to clean water to keep yourself content and your body hydrated.
You may tell the server to add flavours, such as lime, crushed basil or mint, cucumber or orange slices, etc., to your drinking water. This will keep you going without craving those thick and heavy beverages while dining out.
Eat Steamed or Roasted Meats
With careful dish selection, you can even enjoy meat and steaks at restaurants. Eating roasted or steamed meats can satisfy your meat cravings while keeping your calorie intake under control.
Roasted meats contain less fat than fried or crispy ones, making them a healthy choice for meals while eating out. Go for grilled or roasted steak or chicken. You may also try grilled fish, which contains less fat and calories.
Follow the Menu Calorie Count Rule
Food calories must be displayed on menus, whether online or offline; that’s the new rule for restaurants and cafes in the UK. So, find restaurants that not only serve good food but also provide you with menus that tell how many calories each dish contains.
The ‘calorie on menu’ rule applies to both foods and soft drinks that aren’t prepackaged. Anything you eat at the restaurant must be tagged with its calorie information on the menu.
This makes your life much easier since you can choose low-calorie foods by only checking the menu. It saves your time and makes your dining experience healthy and wholesome.
3 Restaurants That Can Serve You Low Calorie Foods
To make your journey to low-calorie dine-out easier, here’s a list of three restaurants in London that serve tasty and healthy foods:
Dewaniam Vegan
Dewaniam Vegan is an Indian restaurant in Camberwell, London, that serves fresh vegetarian dishes. It provides fast and reliable services, including prompt order processing, online delivery, takeaway services, etc.
You can book a table at Dewaniam Vegan through ChefOnline for a nice and healthy dine-out.
Salad Box
Salad Box is a healthy restaurant near you in London with a range of low-calorie food options. The name says it, as it offers a variety of nutritious and mouthful salads with ingredients like mixed greens, black olives, grilled chicken, corn, feta cheese, and more.
You can also order customised salads containing a base of your choice with optional proteins. Salad Box also serves vegan and meat wraps, cream soups, snacks, and desserts.
Hibox
Another wonderful eatery that serves low-calorie foods is Hibox. This restaurant at Goodge Street, London, serves the best falafel in the city, as many customers claim. You can also enjoy healthy, customised salads, delicious hummus, and other vegan Middle Eastern dishes here.
Hibox offers vegan and gluten-free foods that are suitable for a low-calorie diet. You can sit and eat here, order online, or make takeaway orders.
Final Thoughts
That’s pretty much about choosing low-calorie foods when dining out. We’ve shared certain reasons why you should choose low-calorie foods, including weight loss, reasonable costs, and a healthy lifestyle.
Additionally, you can apply our five effective tips to choose the right low-calorie and healthy foods at restaurants. You must know what you want to eat and order accordingly without getting lost among numerous options on the menu.
Apart from the tips shared above, make sure you order small portions of the dishes. If the portions are large, eat half and put the rest into takeaway.
