Healthy Cuisine Choices - Part 1

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

28 Aug 2010 03:36 PM

Growing up in the south, I knew my food wasn't health. Everything is battered, fried, and usually dunked in some type of sauce and gravy. Although it normally tastes incredible, as I aged, I realize that I need to change the way I eat and began looking for healthier alternatives.

Here are a few cuisines that provide health choices, provided you don't "Americanize" them. Follow traditional recipes and they will not only be yummy but nutritious as well.

Vietnamese

We recently visited Philly and ate at a wonderful Vietnamese restaurant. It was my first experience with this cuisine, but I doubt it will be my last. Vietnamese food consists of vegetables, seafood, and fresh herbs such as cilantro, Thai bail, and mint. The herbs can help fight certain ailments and aid digestion. And, instead of cooking with oil, it is cooked with water or broth - which is much healthier.

Greek

I love Greek food. Traditionally, you will find dark leafy veggies, grains, olive oil, omega-3-rich fish, lentils, fresh fruit, and high fiber beans in these dishes. Those items help you fight against heart disease, diabetes, and cancer and boost your immune system. According to researchers at Harvard, eating a diet of traditional Greek food can reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer by 25 percent.

Indian

I've been fortunate enough to have a few friends from India who have cooked some of their dishes for me. They are so yummy yet I can't get anyone to go with me to an Indian restaurant and as of yet, I haven't been adventurous enough to try recipes myself. Indian food takes advantage of great spices such as turmeric, red chilies, cinnamon, and ginger that may protect against cancer and fight against Alzheimer's. Turmeric is a main ingredient in curry and it may help by providing anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

Tomorrow, I will write about more health cuisine choices.

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a web designer/freelance writer located in Memphis, TN. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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