The surprising foods you can eat while dieting (2024)

The curry house can be the unmaking of any otherwise well-structured diet plan. But it doesn't all have to fall apart here. Avoid a bhaji or samosa starter in favour of a poppadom - they only have 65 calories each. And for God's sake, decline the naan bread, which can have as much as 650 calories per portion.

Next, get your rice boiled and avoid the pilau - you're saving more than 200 calories. As for the main event, as a general rule, avoid the creamier curries like kormas and pasandas. A tandoori dish is usually a safe bet as the meat will be grilled, not fried.

Bread

The allure of the bread basket is almost carnal in the scale of its temptation. But cut back on the calories by opting for a slice of rye bread; it's entirely wheat-free and has about 20 per cent less calories than a slice of white baguette. Wholewheat pita bread is another excellent choice: it contains fewer calories than regular brown bread. As for what to put on it, a tablespoon of olive oil has even more calories than a tablespoon of butter, so best to avoid both if you're watching your intake.

What to take off the menu and what to add

**Get rid of...

** 1. Bagels = 214 calories each

2. Rib eye = 466 calories (100g)

3. Chicken korma = 870 calories

   See Also

   How to Make Roti or Chapati - A Healthier Alternative to Naan

4. Cheddar = 124 calories (30g)

5. Bacon cheeseburger = 920 calories

Swap in...

1. Rye bread = 65 calories (per slice)

2. Sirloin tip side = 206 calories (100g)

3. Tandoori chicken = 300 calories

4. Goats cheese = 75 calories (30g)

5. Grilled cheese sandwich = 470 calories

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