When you decide to eat out or order takeout, the first thing that often flashes through your mind is: Will this ruin my diet? The truth is, many people assume that delicious, satisfying food automatically means extra calories and weight gain.
But here’s some great news: Greek food, when ordered correctly, is a phenomenal choice for healthy eating and weight management. By understanding a few simple swaps, you can enjoy authentic, flavourful Greek cuisine guilt-free.
Can Greek Food Be Good for Weight Loss?
The short answer is a resounding yes, Greek food is good for weight loss, it’s one of the best choices you can make!
The foundation of Greek cooking is the celebrated Mediterranean diet, which is consistently ranked by experts as one of the healthiest eating patterns globally. This diet is naturally low in processed ingredients and saturated fats, and high in fibre and essential nutrients. This combination helps you feel full longer and supports steady energy, making Greek food and weight loss go hand-in-hand.
The key components are your friends:
- Lean Protein: Grilled meats like chicken and pork souvlaki.
- Healthy Fats: Monounsaturated fats from high-quality olive oil.
- Fibre & Nutrients: Fresh vegetables, herbs, and legumes.
How to Order Greek Food Without Weight Gain
If you’re wondering what Greek food to order if you are on a diet, focus on maximizing lean protein and fresh vegetables while managing the sauces and starches.
1. Protein Power: Grill, Don’t Fry
Always choose the grilled options first.
- Go for: Souvlaki skewers (chicken or pork) or whole grilled fish.
- Limit: Fried foods (like fried calamari) or fattier cuts of gyro meat, which can add significant hidden calories. Ask for lean cuts of meat when possible.
2. Smart Sides & Carbs
Many Greek restaurants let you customize your plate. Use this to your advantage!
- Opt for: The Horiatiki, an authentic Greek salad, which is packed with vegetables and feta, or steamed vegetables. Ask for extra salad instead of a double order of fries.
- Enjoy in Moderation: Lemon Potatoes (Patates Lemonates) are delicious, but they are cooked in oil. Enjoy a small portion, or ask your server for rice as a lighter starch alternative.
- Limit: Pita bread, one piece is fine, but don’t eat the whole basket!
3. Dip Strategy: Use Tzatziki as a Dressing
Dips are essential, but some are much healthier than others.
- Tzatziki is your best friend: it’s made with high-protein Greek yogurt, making it much lower in fat than most creamy dressings. Use it to top your souvlaki or dress your salad.
- Limit high-fat dips like Kopanisti or Taramosalata, or enjoy them very sparingly.
3 Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Greek Food If You Are On A Diet
Even when choosing Greek, there are common traps that can derail your progress. Avoid these three mistakes:
Mistake 1: The Oil Overload
Greek food is healthy, but olive oil is calorie-dense. Watch out for salads or dips that are swimming in oil.
Always ask for your dressing on the side. That way, you control exactly how much you use, saving hundreds of calories without sacrificing flavour.
Mistake 2: The Hidden Carbs and Fats in Pastry
Phyllo pastry is delicious but often made with layers of butter.
If you are strictly counting calories, avoid appetizers like tiropita (cheese pie) and spanakopita (spinach pie), as they are high in saturated fat and refined carbs. Stick to lean protein appetizers or fresh salads.
Mistake 3: The Dessert Trap
The Baklava section is tempting! While a small bite is fine, the sugar and syrup content can add up fast. If you want a sweet treat, order a coffee or enjoy a modern, balanced Greek dessert creation, such as the innovative Cheesecake Baklava served at Souvlaki Authentique, and plan to share it with the table.
Where to Eat the Best Greek Food in Quebec?
If you are looking for authentic, high-quality ingredients and customizable, healthy options, we highly recommend Souvlaki Authentique. We make healthy eating easy!
We understand that customization is key to maintaining a diet, which is why our menu options allow you to precisely choose your lean protein, skip the fries, and load up on fresh vegetables. We are proud to be considered the best Greek restaurant in Quebec for both flavour and freshness.
Conclusion
Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean eating boring food. By making simple, conscious swaps, choosing grilled skewers, asking for dressing on the side, and swapping heavy carbs for vegetables, you can confidently enjoy the rich, authentic flavour of Greek food.
Ready to enjoy the benefits of the Mediterranean diet without the guilt? Visit any of Souvlaki Authentique’s locations across Quebec and enjoy a truly guilt-free Greek feast!
FAQs
1. Which Greek food is best for a high-protein diet?
If your focus is protein, stick to the main grilled meats. Grilled souvlaki and lean cuts of gyro meat are fantastic choices, offering clean, high-quality protein necessary for muscle building and satiety.
2. Is Greek food good for weight loss?
Yes, absolutely. The foundation of the cuisine is the Mediterranean diet, which relies on lean protein, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats, making it one of the best choices for Greek food and weight loss.
3. Are dips off-limits when I’m on a diet?
Not entirely, but choose wisely. Tzatziki is your best bet because it’s yogurt-based, making it naturally higher in protein and lower in fat than most other creamy or oil-based dips.
4. Does the Greek salad contain a lot of fat?
The authentic Horiatiki is very healthy, but it does contain a generous amount of olive oil. To manage the calorie count, always ask for the dressing on the side so you can control how much dressing you add.
5. What’s the best carb substitute for French fries or pita bread?
If you want to cut down on simple carbs, skip the fries and large amounts of pita. You can ask for a side of rice in moderation, or better yet, load up on extra grilled vegetables to fill your plate.
