Heart Smart Indian Cuisine

Online, February 4, 2013 (Newswire.com) - One of the most popular forms of cuisine in the UK; it is estimated that the average adult Briton will spend £30 a month eating Indian food. From Indian restaurants to cooking a Balti at home; Millions of Britons relish the chance to eat the exotic and exciting fare.

Whilst many of the staples of Indian cuisine are in fact incredibly healthy, some dishes have been adapted with the addition of excess oils and fats which can be problematic for the health of the individual. Citizens who only know Indian food from restaurants or pre-packaged recipes may consider this to be the only way that Indian food is prepared and may seek to cut it out completely for a healthier lifestyle. However, Nawaab Restaurant in Manchester will let you in on a few heart smart tips to enjoying Indian cuisine.

The Indians love their starters. It is inevitable that the Indian store or restaurant that you visit will have a wide selection of samosas, pakoras, bhajis and masalas. Resist the temptation and start with a simple salad of chopped vegetables with yoghurt. The probiotics in yoghurts can be very beneficial to the health of the heart.

If it is the sauce or the spices that you particularly enjoy in a dish, then tailor the meat to a heart smart diet. Choose chicken or seafood instead of lamb (or beef where available). The former two are far more lean and healthier options.

Ghee is a form of butter used widely in Indian cuisine. Like our butters, it can serve to clog up arteries with regular consumption. Try and avoid dishes prepared with ghee where possible. Check with the packet or the waiters as to which dishes are prepared sans ghee.

If you are sharing a number of different dishes with family and friends try and even out the meat dishes with those containing vegetables. This will eliminate excessive amounts of saturated fats. Saag Aloo is an ideal dish to incorporate into your meal, the large amount of spinach incorporated is very helpful for the heart.

Try and avoid samosas where possible. These stuffed turnovers are fried in excessive amounts of oil. Replace them with a papad which is a thin lentil wafer. Likewise avoid korma dishes due to the large quantity of cream that is use in the sauce. Additionally, friends may belittle you for choosing such a mild dish. Replace the korma with a chicken tandoori based with light margerine.