A healthy eating plate does not have to be boring and tasteless. In fact it can be quite delightful when you explore foods from different regions of the world. The down side is that the best ethnic recipes have a reputation of not exactly making the list of healthy eating foods and are associated with being high in fat and calories. Do you love Mexican? How about a burrito? Loads of saturated fat, right? What about Italian? Does penne pasta with freshly grilled shrimp and a rich creamy Alfredo sauce sound good to you? High fat and tons of calories does not have to be the case.
Traditional ethnic recipes can turn into a healthy eating plate by just changing things up a bit. There are many different ways to make it healthier my lowering the amount of fat, sugar or salt called for by the recipe. There are also better choices than others when it comes to dining out. Here is a list of the top 10 healthiest ethnic cuisine.
1. Greek
I love Greek dishes. Its one of my all time favorites to eat. These recipes are prepared with lots of dark leafy greens, high fiber beans, lentils, grains and fish loaded with Omega-3.
2. California Fresh
I never have really considered this to be an ethnic food but it always seems to make the list. What makes this so healthy is the seasonal and local mentality. Meals are prepared using only what is local from area farmers markets and what is in season. This ensures that you are getting the freshest and most nutrient rich dishes possible.
3. Vietnamese
What makes this ethnic food stand out is because traditional Vietnamese foods are prepared with water or broth as opposed to oils making this a super healthy eating plate. These dishes are often prepared with cilantro, mint, Thai basil, star anise and red chili and anise which are all known as alternative remedies.
4. Japanese
The healthy secret to Japanese dishes is in the preparation which is mostly lightly steamed or cooked by stir-fry. Antioxidant-rich yams and green tea are also staple parts of their diet as well as cruciferous veggies such as bok-choy, seaweed, shitake mushrooms and lots ofomega-3-rich seafood. Add these to your healthy eating plate and enjoy!
5. Indian
I am not sure any other ethnic food uses such distinctly aromatic spices. Turmeric, ginger, red chilies and garam masala are among some of these. Not only are these flavorful but also have cancer fighting properties.
6. Italian
Lycopene! Did I say Lycopene! This alone makes Italian cuisine a healthy eating plate winner. Tomatoes are full of it especially in the cooked state. Lycopene is a huge cancer fighting agent that everyone needs. Olive oil, garlic, oregano, basil and parsley are also super healthy disease fighting ingredients found in most Italian dishes.
7. Spanish
What makes this a healthy winner is that the Spanish eat tapas which are small plates of food. They also prepare dished loaded with fresh seafood, olive oil and veggies
8. Mexican
A Mexican dish despite its reputation can be quite healthy with its use of tomatoes and beans. These dishes are often prepared with cancer fighting herbs such as cilantro and anti-inflammatory agents like onions. Prepared alternatively you can easily add this cuisine to your healthy eating plate.
9. South American
I am a believer in lean proteins from eggs, fish, poultry and beef but often a combination of rice and beans is labeled the perfect protein. That alone causes this cuisine to make the top 10. The traditional diet also includes lots of fresh fruits, veggies and quinoa, a high protein grain.
10. Thai
Tom Yung Gung Soup is a Thai favorite and is loaded with shrimp, lemongrass, coriander, and ginger. This soup alone is believed to have properties 100 times more effective than most antioxidants in stunting cancerous-tumor growth. Ginger alone aids in digestion and other tummy problems.
It goes without saying that all of these ethnic cuisines have dishes that would not fit into your healthy eating plate. Lots of them offer very high fat, high, calorie and high sugar choices. Lots of them would make you stop and question ethnic ingredients healthy recipes? But there are good choices among the bad. You can find this list on the above hyperlink. You can also find more of these healthier alternatives under each regional recipe tab. Happy travels! Enjoy!
