Healthy Alternatives For Junk Foods In 9 Different Cuisines

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Healthy Alternatives For Junk Foods In 9 Different Cuisines

We live in a world where cultural boundaries are vanishing as we are becoming the 'global citizens'. Food is the pioneer of crossing any kind of LOC. We all enjoy the oriental flavours of the Chinese food, the cheesy touch of the French, flavoursome Italian dishes and the wholesome Lebanese.

As much as our tongues enjoy these distinct flavours, our weighing scale suffers. But, because of this, we shouldn't keep ourselves completely away from the pleasures of the world. You can easily enjoy all the cuisines if you know what you should and shouldn't eat. Here are some of the healthy and unhealthy dishes from cuisines around the world which will help you to keep a check on your weight.

Recommended Read: 18 Popular And Yummy Indian Breakfasts That Are Actually Very Unhealthy

#1. Italian Alternative Cuisines for Junk Foods

Italian healthy food alternatives for Junk Food

Talk about Italian food and those cheese spitting pizzas, pasta and garlic bread will start floating in the minds. We have to agree that the Italians have given us something to live for! This cuisine is on top of everyone's list and is easily available.

What to eat:

Italian healthy food alternatives for weight loss

If you are craving for some Italian food, start with their minestrone soup. You can also have a baked potato. These are healthy and fulfilling options until you do not top them up with mozzarella. You can have pizza and pasta with a wheat base.

What to avoid:

Avoid bechamel sauce and extra cheese. Try to stay away from their fried fungi and cheeses.

Continue reading below

Must Read: 6 Foods That Do More Harm Than Good If Eaten At The Wrong Time

#2. French Alternative Cuisines for Junk Foods

French healthy alternatives to junk food

"Coup de foudre" is what we all uttered when we first saw a French dish. The French onion soup, soft madeleines, croissant and those choux pastries, alas! Even the food from this place is full of romance.

What to eat:

French healthy Cuisines for weight loss

Non-vegetarians should start their French journey with a Nicoise salad as it is rich in protein, potassium and healthy monosaturated fats. Vegetarians can start with a Ratatouille and we are sure that after losing yourself to this herby thing, you will get why a Disney movie was named after it. If you have an option, go for the mignonette sauce. You can also indulge in camembert cheese.

What to avoid:

Sorry, but you should steer clear from onion soup, quiche and cordon bleu. These are delicious beyond the eternity but will tilt your scales completely in the wrong direction!

#3. Chinese Alternative Cuisines for Junk Foods

Chinese Cuisines healthy options for junk food

Chinese food automatically makes us think about the fried food. Spring rolls, honey chilly potatoes, chilly mushrooms; everything that is deep fried and soaked in oil. Contrary to popular belief, Chinese food is actually healthy, if you care to explore the cuisine beyond the obvious!

What to eat:

Chinese healthy food substitutions for weight loss

Chinese cuisine offers a wide variety of healthy soups like man chow, lemongrass and coriander and ta lu mien. You can indulge in some vegetable noodles and power-packed meals like the Buddha's delight which is high in protein. You can also have chicken with snow peas.

What to avoid:

Although you should completely avoid Chinese sold at the local stalls as that is neither healthy nor Chinese, but favourites like fried momos, spring rolls, fried chicken in Schezwan sauce and fried rice are a big no-no.

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#4. English Alternative Cuisines for Junk Foods

English alternative food List for Junk Food

The British food is different from other European cuisines as it does not incline towards a particular flavour or ingredient. As England had various colonies under its turf, its food is a perfect example of amalgamation of cultures.

What to eat:

English Cuisines alternatives to junk food

You can start your day with a proper English breakfast which has tomatoes, baked beans, eggs, mushrooms and mashed potatoes. It is a wholesome and healthy platter. You can have tarragon chicken salad tea sandwiches as you can't get more English than that. A vegetarian Shepherd's pie is a good option as well.

What to avoid:

Britain's famous 'fish and chip' is not worth the weight that you will put on. While we are at it, you should stay away from those deep fried Mars bars and hot chocolate with whipped cream on it as well.

#5. Lebanese Alternative Cuisines for Junk Foods

Lebanese food substitutions for weight loss

Lebanese food is simple, raw and holds natural flavours in it. It is one of the healthiest cuisines and you can pretty much pick anything that you want. In addition to that, Lebanese use a lot of good quality olive oil, chickpeas, sesame paste and a wide range of vegetables which are great for the health.

What to eat:

Lebanese healthy alternatives to junk food

Hummus, tahini, baba ghannouj, peasant's salad, yoghurt salad, lentil soup, chicken shwarma, veg or non-veg tagine, shish taouk; actually everything except for the things in the 'what to avoid' list.

What to avoid:

Falafel, frozen yoghurt, fattoush and baklava should stay away from your plate to keep this cuisine healthy.

Also Read: 5 Super Foods That Can Help In Boosting Your Metabolism

#6. Thai Alternative Cuisines for Junk Foods

Thai Cuisines Alternatives for junk food

Thai cuisine is a rather delicate one. With the glass noodles and other colourful vegetables, it looks incredible. The food is aromatic and a little on the spicy side. If you are craving for some Thai food, read what you should and shouldn't eat.

What to eat:

Thai healthy food

Gai Yang (marinated grilled Thai chicken), satay gai (chicken skewers with peanut sauce) and khao man gai (chicken with rice) are some of the healthiest options for the non-vegetarians. For the vegetarians, papaya salad, raw mango salad and Thai spring rolls would be perfect.

What to avoid:

Thai food is famous for its coconut based curries and they are the unhealthiest ones. Avoid them completely. Along with the curries, you should stay away from their stir fries and fruit shakes too.

#7. American Alternative Cuisines for Junk Foods

American healthy food alternatives to Junk Food

America is a capitalist economy which means that people are more interested in earning money than taking care of their lifestyle. Since they are always on the go, their type of food is the fast one. Although fast food is given to us by them, there are some healthy dishes too that they serve.

Must Read: 10 Delicious And Healthy Soup Recipes That Help In Reducing Weight Faster

What to eat:

American healthy food substitutes

Switch to corns if you want to stay healthy while eating American food. Corncob salad is a good option. You can also have an egg white frittata, sweet potato waffle, cottage cheese honey toast and quinoa.

What to avoid:

We know that you will hate us, but you should avoid the following foods to stay healthy. Do not consume New York cheesecake, corn dogs, hot dogs, burgers, sodas, and all the fried food that might be attracting you.

#8. Spanish Alternative Cuisines for Junk Foods

Spanish healthy substitutes for junk food

Spanish food is highly influenced by its complex history. Following the invasions of the country and the search for the new territories, their culture has been heavily altered. This is what makes the Spanish food unique.

What to eat:

Spanish healthy alternatives for junk food

Indulge in tapas, paella, gazpacho and garlic prawns. You can also enjoy their low-fat Spanish sheep cheese platter which is usually served with raw meat or bread. Aioli is Spanish mayonnaise which is a healthier dip with lots of garlic in it.

What to avoid:

When in Spain, do not give into your love for Sangria. Yes, it is made with healthy red wine but it also has different juices which are high in sugar content. Calamari is another dish that you should seriously avoid.

#9. African Alternative Cuisines for Junk Foods

African food swaps for weight loss

African cuisine has become synonymous with the giant food chain, Nando's. But the peri-peri dishes aren't all that the country serves. There is much more to this spicy cuisine that incorporates meat, fruits, cereals, milk and vegetables. This is a sturdy one.

What to eat:

African healthy swaps for junk food

Like Lebanese, you can pretty much eat everything from this cuisine as well since most of the food items are either grilled or barbequed which are better than shallow or deep fried foods. Along with the meats, they have vegetarian salads as well. Most of the dishes are healthy but are more suitable for the non-vegetarians.

What to avoid:

As a rule, to be healthy means to stay away from fried food and kapenta with sadza (fried fishes), pastilla au pigeou (flaky pastry with stuffing) and peri-peri chicken. Yes, peri-peri as well because too much of chilli can damage your metabolism.

Next Read: 6 Fabulous Ways How Green Tea Burns Down Fat And Helps In Losing Weight

We have given you the complete guide of what you can and can't have. Now that we have imparted our wisdom with you, get ready with your fork and dig into the flavours of the world!

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