You CAN eat takeaway and lose weight… the best and worst options for dieters revealed

WE all love a takeaway.

No matter how hard you try, a home-cooked curry or pizza just doesn’t taste as delicious as a takeout option - which is why so many of us have a shrine of takeout menus in our kitchens.

But can takeaways be healthy, and do nutritionists ever order them?

Well, yes they do. But they don’t order every side going with their curries, or gorge on deep fried pizza every week.

We asked seven experts to rate their best and worst takeaways - and the results surprised us!

The BEST options for dieters...

1. Indian is ON the menu

It's one of the nation's faves, and the good news is if you're on a diet it can stay ON the menu.

Dietitian Helen Bond and nutritionist Lily Soutter both chose Indian as their top choice if you're trying to lose weight - but there are a couple of catches.

"If I were to choose Indian, I often choose a Chicken Shashlik which is a chicken marinated in spices and cooked in a clay oven with tomato and peppers," Lily tells The Sun Online.

"I love to order a vegetable and pulse side dish such as Rajma Dupiaza (red kidney beans, chickpeas) with onion and green peppers.

"Alternatively, I opt for Dhal, a dish made with fibre rich lentils."

And Helen says that she tends to order Tandoori chicken with steamed rice or plain chapati and vegetables.

"It’s full of flavour - without any of the guilt of a takeaway and a relatively nutritionally balanced takeaway meal.”

If I were to choose Indian, I often choose a Chicken Shashlik... alternatively, I opt for Dhal, a dish made with fibre rich lentils

Lily Soutter

Hannah Braye, Lepicol’s nutritional therapist, also agrees: “If getting a takeaway I tend to order from my local Thali Cafe, which provides wholesome vegetable based South Indian curry and dhal in a re-usable metal tiffin box."

But a word of warning. Dieitian Sophie Medlin warns Indian can easily become every dieter's enemy, if you're not careful when ordering.

A korma with fried rice, naan and bhajis, could add up to 4,000 calories pretty quickly - adding 3st if you ate it twice a week for a year!

2. Middle Eastern's a charm

Registered nutritional therapist, Angelique Panagos, said when it comes to take out, opting for Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisines can help you avoid piling on the pounds.

So, kebabs - another top Brit pick - is still on the cards, but you might need to steer clear of the extras.

She says: "I tend to go for more Mediterranean styles when ordering out - things with lots of fresh vegetables, fish and olive oil."

And Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP at patient.info adds: “I choose Lebanese and Middle Eastern dishes.

"Middle Eastern takeaways are often high in lentils, pulses and vegetables.

"But steer clear of the deep-fried pastries laden with sugar which make up so many Middle Eastern desserts."

3. Yo Sushi!

With lots of fish and veg, Japanese is recognised as being one of the healthiest cuisines there is.

And dietitian Helen Bond says that's why she never feels guilty about ordering it in.

“Sushi and sashimi are generally low in fat and with oily fish fillings like tuna and salmon, are rich in heart-healthy omega 3s,” she says.
“But be careful with the blood pressure raising salty soy sauce."

4. Good morning Vietnam!

It's delicious and has the benefit of being packed with fresh veggies, Vietnamese is dietitian Sophie Medlin's top pick.

“I LOVE all food," she says.
“If I am having a ‘healthy’ takeaway I love Vietnamese papaya salad with a side of summer rolls.”

And the WORST offenders are...

1. Not so sweet, just sour