What Does a Nutritionist Order for Take-Out?

Being the typical New Yorker, my kitchen doesn’t get much action! I work long hours like most other people and the last thing I want to do when I get home at 9 pm is cook. So I frequently end up “dialing for dinner”. My clients often ask me what I order for take out food … so here goes!

I am a creature of habit, like most people, and tend to have a few stand-by restaurants that I order from. My choice will be based on what is healthy (relatively), what suits my mood and my degree of hunger … meaning which place will deliver the quickest.

1. Chinese. Most Chinese dishes are really oily and high calorie. Years ago, I used to order the regular greasy dishes (confession!) that came with free sesame noodles when you ordered $10 or more. Those days are over! My favorite restaurant to order from is Cafe Evergreen on 69th and 1st. I order one of two dishes:
– Steamed chicken and/or shrimp with mixed veggies with black bean sauce on the side, extra hot mustard) with brown rice. I eat 1/2 the container of rice (one cup).
– “Light special” dish (L 7 – see on the menu) steamed chicken with black beans (and I ask them to add broccoli) with brown rice. This dish from Evergreen has a very light sauce on it. Little if any oil is used.

2. Japanese. Somehow the thought of eating raw fish in my apartment isn’t quite as appealing as eating it in a restaurant, so I have to be in the mood for this one. My favorite places to order from are Fusha on 1st and 59th or Ko Sushi on 2nd and 70th. I will often order miso soup and 2 rolls (spicy tuna and yellowtail scallion) OR miso soup and one roll, 2 pieces of sashimi and an order of tuna tartare.

3. Thai. My favorite place to order from is Spice (several locations on upper east side). Thai can be deceptively high in calories due to the sauces. The dish I order seems relatively healthy – grilled salmon in Thai sweet & sour sauce with veggies. There is a little oil, but a lot less than the stir-fry dishes. It comes with a small container of white rice (one cup). I also get a Tom Yum soup with shrimp and veggies. It is spicy and mainly broth … helps to fill you up without the calories.

4. Chirping Chicken 1/4 white meat chicken, piece of pita bread and large steamed vegetables.
Those are my 4 standby take-out dinners. Stay tuned for a more complete list of my recommended take-out dinners.