What could I choose from an Indian restaurant menu that isn't too high in fat or calories?

November 2, 2006 4:10 AM

What could I choose from an Indian restaurant menu that isn't too high in fat or calories?

I'm going out for a meal (so, something substantial rather than just a starter) at an Indian restaurant tonight (I haven't been before so don't know what's on the menu, but assume it's similar to most menus out there), and want some suggestions for something that won't mean a huge caloriefest.
I normally have Korma simply because I love it, but yes, I'm aware that it is EVIL and high in fat. However, I do prefer milder curries... so any suggestions for something not too spicy or calorific would be great.

posted by trampesque to Food & Drink (11 answers total)

You'll have to stay away from curry, and go with something dry. The tandoori chicken is low in calories, as is the saagwala.
posted by rottytooth at 4:14 AM on November 2, 2006

I'd imagine that the drier, tandoori baked dishes are better -- chicken tikka or something like that? Here's a blog post with a few ideas.
posted by chrismear at 4:16 AM on November 2, 2006

When I was doing WeightWatchers, my going for a curry orders were...

Starters:
Dahl soup
Chicken tikka
Fish tikka

Mains:
Tandoori Chicken OR
Anything veggie in a tomato (not cream) sauce, so Bhindi Bhaji or Sag Mushroom. I'd avoid potatoes, and paneer, too - paneer for the fat, potatoes 'cause you'll have rice.

Sides:
Plain boiled rice. Pilau has LOADS of oil. Nan is out. A chappati is OK.

Time was I could tell you the points value of each of those! I love a curry.
posted by handee at 4:18 AM on November 2, 2006

Yep, a sizzling tandoori dish with plain rice and some sort of daal (lentils) should see you right. Tasty, too. Ooh, hungry...
posted by unmusic at 4:38 AM on November 2, 2006

Something like chicken shashlik, which is really a kebab, just pieces of chicken, peppers and onion on a skewer, cooked in the tandoor. Plain rice and some daal to stop it from being too dry.

Maybe tandoori lamb chops to start. Sorbet to end with.
posted by essexjan at 5:13 AM on November 2, 2006

Sizzlers have a lot of oil, so probably aren't such a good idea. Some places serve shashlik on a sizzler, too, so they cook it in the tandoor, then put it on a hot plate with extra oil. Might be worth watching out for.
posted by handee at 5:39 AM on November 2, 2006

If they offer a children or "smaller appetites" section of the menu, order from that. It's how I go to my favorite Mexican restaurant twice a week without too much worry.
posted by Sara Anne at 7:06 AM on November 2, 2006

I feel slight pangs of guilt posting this, since I work for them now, but self-linking is okay in comments, right? There was a very recent thread on Chowhound about healthy choices at Indian restaurants.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:33 AM on November 2, 2006

Go vegetarian. Chana masala (chickpeas in tomato) is exactly what you want: healthy but filling, mildly spiced, and yummy.
posted by mbrubeck at 7:55 AM on November 2, 2006

I think handee's suggestions are excellent, but I would be cautious of the saag/palak, as I believe there is a lot of dairy in it -- at least how it's typically served in restaurants.
posted by rottytooth at 8:07 AM on November 2, 2006

I would say any veggie dish without paneer (cheese) or that is in a creamy curry sauce will do you fine. Tandoori dishes are fine too, and I agree with others that you should go for a non-sizzler dish.

What I like to do at Indian restaurants if I'm trying to eat healthy is have some plain basmati rice, mix in a little raita or chutney, and have that before I eat any of the entrees.

You could also snack on naan with the above condiments; but you should stay away from any flavored or cheese naans. They are usually pretty oily and high-cal.

Finally, you can drink a full glass of water before the meal. That usually fills me up to the point that I can't have more than one plate at a buffet.
posted by reenum at 7:08 AM on November 3, 2006