We all know that cooking your own food at home is the way to go if you want to be healthy. However, there are just some days that the last place you want to hang out in is your own kitchen. Thankfully for you, some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles have healthy options you can order. We’ll be highlighting two options from popular takeout cuisines below.
Thai Cuisine
Green Papaya Salad
This stunning, colorful dish isn’t just packed with lots of flavors. It also has a ton of health benefits because it’s made of julienned fruits and vegetables! With lots of chilis and peanuts accompanying these fresh ingredients, green papaya salad is a delightfully flavorful and spicy dish you’d love.
Chicken Satay
You can never go wrong with marinated chicken grilled on skewers! It’s low in calories and fat and has all the benefits of protein. If you want to limit your sodium intake, get the peanut sauce on the side so you can control your portions.
Chinese Cuisine
Steamed Dumplings
There are lots of kinds of dumplings in Chinese cuisine, but the healthiest kind you should go for are steamed dumplings. They’re devoid of the fat that their fried counterparts are full of. However, they’re still filled with a ton of protein, vitamins, and nutrients from the vegetables and meats they are packed with.
Chicken and Broccoli
This dish is the perfect Chinese order to go for if you want to lose weight. That’s because it’s low in carbohydrates but high in protein from the chicken and vitamins and minerals from the vegetables. Have it with a side of brown rice if you want a well-balanced meal—brown rice is full of fiber!
Japanese Cuisine
Tuna or California Rolls
Sushi is one of the most well-balanced meals you can have. It’s made of carbohydrates from the rice, protein from the fish, and vitamins and minerals from the vegetables and seaweed.
However, some Japanese restaurants take it a step further and add a bunch of fat-rich ingredients. It’s best to keep things simple with tuna or California rolls instead.
Chicken Teriyaki
Similar to chicken satay and chicken and broccoli, chicken teriyaki is an excellent choice because of its high protein content. Order it with a side of vegetables and brown rice again for a well-balanced meal. If you want to limit your sodium intake, have the sauce on the side if possible.
Indian Cuisine
Dal
Dal is a general term for pulses like lentils, peas, and beans. They are used in a variety of dishes that really fill you up. They have a ton of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals so you get a little bit of everything. Examples of dal dishes include dal tadka, dal makhani, and so much more.
Chana Masala
Indian cuisine has always been a haven for vegetarians and vegans. Chana masala, in particular, is at the forefront since it is a curry with chickpeas as the main ingredient. Here, chickpeas are stewed with onions, tomatoes, ghee, and a ton of herbs and spices.
American Cuisine
Veggie Burgers
You can get the classic American experience of eating a burger without the unnecessary fats from red meat. Veggie burgers are made with soybeans, tofu, nuts, grains, and/or fungi instead! Slap that bad boy on a whole grain bun and fill it to the brim with lots of fresh vegetables like lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes.
Poke
Poke is a classic Hawaiian dish that’s been making waves lately on the mainland! It’s made of sashimi-grade tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, edamame, avocado, seaweed, sriracha, and whatever else suits your fancy. Have it with a side of noodles or rice for an amazingly colorful and healthy dish.
Mexican Cuisine
Whole Beans
Refried beans might sound healthy because they’ve got beans in them, but they’re actually full of fat from the lard used to refry them! You should always use whole beans instead since they’ve only been boiled, keeping all the protein-packed benefits.
Burrito Bowls
Want to get a Mexican version of a salad? Then turn your handheld burrito into a burrito bowl, of course! Add brown rice, lettuce, peppers, salsa, guacamole, whole beans, onions, and more into it. You get a variety of vegetables in just one bowl.