Healthy street food options is a nice meal choice to consider especially when you travel around the globe. They are affordable and can be a chance for you to experience authentic food culture from the places you visit.
Although most of the time you find street food that is fried, filled with sugar or has high calories in a lot of entertainment areas. But if you look carefully enough there are actually street foods that can give good nutrition for your diet.
Healthy Street Food Options to Consider
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Vietnamese Spring rolls
Instead of eating egg rolls that are fried, try to get Vietnamese spring rolls with nutrient rich ingredients. There are lettuce and other vegetables that give a crunchy texture, mint and cilantro that give a fresh herby taste.
For the protein you can choose tofu as a vegetarian option or shrimp and other lean meat that you prefer. Remember to dip it into peanut or lime-fish sauce before eating it to add a refreshing taste without using oil dip.
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Elote
Go to Mexico to find elote, which is a grill corn on the cob and top with seasoning. To ensure it is healthy go with lime juice and chili topping also go lighter with cheese and skip mayonnaise.
Corn gives good dietary fiber and contains enough carbs which makes it satisfying to snack while walking on the market. The chili and lime juice gives the corn more flavor without having to add sugar or salt.
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Grilled meat or fish
For you who fancies lean protein, grilling it is the perfect choice as it helps to reduce excess fat. Furthermore, it is a type of healthy street food options available in various cultures which makes it easy to find.
You can easily find yakitori in Japan, kebab in the Middle East or pinchos in Latin America in every market. To make it even healthier you can pair them with fresh salad or grilled vegetables for a low carb meal.
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Hummus and falafel wraps
From various wrap options that you can find when traveling to the Middle East, try to choose falafel filling. It contains ground beans or chickpeas, herbs and other spices with vegetables inside a whole wheat pita.
Those ingredients will give you healthy fats, fiber and complex nutrients, perfect for you who want a healthy snack.
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Ceviche
Those who travel around the coastal area or seaside town then go to seafood carts to find ceviche. You will get a cup of raw shrimp or fish in citrus juice with diced tomatoes and herbs as toppings. Naturally they have low calories and contain lean protein as well as omega 3 which is good for your diet.
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Fresh fruit cups
If you are carving for something sweet then instead of going for sugary drinks try to choose fresh fruit. Especially when you go to Latin America or Southeast Asia then it’s easy to find fresh fruit in cups.
Watermelon, mango, pineapple and papaya are widely available and can help to hydrate you while exploring the market.
Tips to Choose Healthy Food Options
- See the cooking methods: grilling, streaming, roasting, or boiling are the best method and avoid fried food.
- Find high turnover vendors: stalls that are busy with long lines or continuous buyers means their food is always fresh.
- Go light with dressing and sauces: some contain high amounts of sodium, sugar and hidden calories. If possible try asking if you can have the dressing on the side so you can adjust the amount.
- Balance your meal: if you already have a high carb snack then go for protein and fiber rich items next. It can help to fulfill your macronutrients and keep a balanced diet with healthy street food options.
FAQ about Healthy Street Food
How can I find healthy food when traveling?
Find vendors that use fresh ingredients, maintain good hygiene and prepare the food by grilling, steaming or boiling. Choose the items carefully to maintain a balanced diet by combining protein, carb and fiber rich ingredients.
Is it alright to eat street food if I want to lose weight?
Yes, you can still manage your weight as long as you balance the nutrition and calories from the street food. So choose your option wisely by going for the grilled proteins, fresh vegetables and fruit to keep your calorie goals.
Are all vegetarian street foods healthy?
Not everything vegetarian is always healthy as many are fried or contain dressing and sauce that is high in calories. Aside from choosing the ingredients, you should also pay attention to the cooking method to ensure they are really healthy.
Eating healthy street food options doesn’t always mean you have a limited choice that doesn’t taste good. On the contrary, you will get to enjoy fresh local ingredients through their traditional street food items. Just make sure to pay attention to the ingredients and cooking method used to make sure they are really healthy.
