That means two different types of rice in one meal
Indian cuisine is much loved across the world and this is highlighted by its many Indian restaurants.
Indian restaurants are full of atmosphere and there are many menu items to choose from, however, there are some dishes to avoid when going to an Indian restaurant.
This is due to a number of reasons.
Whether it be due to unhealthy dishes or because they are not authentic, there are some Indian foods to avoid ordering when dining out.
So, when dining at an Indian restaurant, here are some menu items you should avoid ordering.
Don’t Order Biryani as a Side Dish
Biryani is one of the most popular Indian foods. This regal dish is made with rice, meat, vegetables and an array of spices.
This means it is very filling.
Ordering biryani on its own will make for a satisfying meal. But if you order it as a separate course from your main meal, expect your main dish to come with rice.
That means two different types of rice in one meal which can be overkill.
Biryani is also fairly high in calories thanks to the variety of ingredients. In a 500g serving of chicken biryani, there are around 360 calories.
If you are planning on ordering an additional dish, it is probably best to choose one or another.
Avoid Garlic Naan
An authentic garlic naan is one of the tastiest accompaniments to your meal at an Indian restaurant.
However, it is not the best Indian food to have as it is full of calories. One garlic naan contains 385 calories and 65g of carbohydrates.
It is best to avoid eating garlic naan if you are watching your weight or on a low-carb diet.
Instead, opt for plain naan bread. It is still delicious and far lower in calories, containing 260 calories and 42g of carbohydrates.
Vindaloo for those who don’t like Spice
In Indian restaurants, vindaloo is known as the spiciest dish and those with a low spice tolerance should think about ordering something else.
In most restaurants, the dish is made with meat, onions, tomatoes, spices and chilli peppers, which is where the spice comes from.
On the other hand, traditional Goan vindaloo contains cardamom and cinnamon and is not as spicy.
Depending on the restaurant, the spice level of vindaloo varies as each chef will have their own preference.
But it is universally agreed that it can be hot.
Vindaloo is delicious, especially if you like spicy food. But for those who are not fans of spicy food, it is a dish to avoid.
Calorie-Counting Diners should avoid Samosas
Samosas are a popular choice at Indian restaurants and they are basically deep-fried dumplings filled with mashed potatoes, meat and vegetables.
It is full of calories and while samosas taste wonderful, they add a lot of fat and carbohydrates and little nutritional value to your meal.
One potato and pea samosa contains 308 calories.
Its small size means it is likely that you won’t stop at one and this results in the calories piling up.
And when paired with a sauce like raita, that is hundreds of calories eaten even before the main meal.
And when you take into account that samosas are typically deep-fried, it makes for delicious but unhealthy Indian food that should be avoided if you are watching your calorie intake.
Stay Clear of Curries
Those who are prone to heartburn should stay clear of curries.
Curries contain onions, tomatoes and garlic, all of which are highly acidic and could easily lead to a bad case of heartburn.
According to Livestrong, eating curry can lead to other unpleasant digestive issues, such as stomach ache, nausea or diarrhoea due to the turmeric used in curry powder.
Although the variety of curries are delicious, you may want to think twice when confronted with the consequences.
But if you cannot help but indulge in a tasty curry, be sure to take some of the candied fennel seeds that are commonly found in Indian restaurants.
This is because fennel is known to be a natural heartburn remedy.
Gulab Jamun
This popular Indian dessert is made from milk solids which are then turned into a soft dough and deep-fried.
Gulab jamuns are then soaked in a sugary syrup.
They are effectively doughnuts and while they are delicious, they are high in calories.
Just one gulab jamun contains 143 calories and 17 grams of carbohydrates.
And if the calories do not concern you, consider the fact that gulab jamuns are not actually Indian. Although they are commonly served in India, they originated in Persia (now Iran) and were later brought to India.
Skip this fattening dessert and opt for a healthier, and more authentic, dessert.
Inauthentic Indian Sushi
In many Indian restaurants, chefs put their own ‘Indian’ twists on other dishes. But fusion dishes mean they are not authentic and if you are looking to eat something that delivers true Indian culture, this is something to avoid.
Some fusion dishes have gone too far and one of those is Indian sushi, something Pujan Sarkar, chef de cuisine at ROOH San Francisco and ROOH Palo Alto, is not a fan of.
He says:
“Raw seafood, in general, is not present in Indian culture, and is even frowned upon.”
Speaking about inauthentic cuisine in general, Pujan says:
“Indian cuisine’s popularity is on the rise in the United States, but it’s important to be able to distinguish the genuine cuisine from a fusion or a progressive version of it.
“Some dishes may be presented as Indian (lamb vindaloo, chicken tikka masala ), when in fact, their origin can be traced far from the culture with which they’re associated.”
While these dishes may be delicious, there are different reasons to avoid these menu items.
Some are high in calories while others may cause digestive issues.
Nevertheless, when dining at an Indian restaurant, there might be other menu options that are better for you.
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