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24nd May, 2019
Lebanese cuisine, which includes whole grains, vegetables, fish, lentils, fruits, poultry and dairy with chickpeas and parsley as staple ingredients, is vegetarian, vegan as well as non-vegetarian friendly, not to mention one of the best cuisines to choose when trying to lose weight.
Here are some healthy choices you can opt for when you plan a Lebanese outing…
The Ultimate Lebanese Menu
Main Course:
| Carbs (Any one option from below) | + Proteins (any one option from below) | + Fibre (any one option from below) | + Dairy (any one option from below) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pita bread 1 – 1/2 pita pouch | Hummus 1/2 cup (100ml) | Grilled vegetables 1 cup | Labneh (soft cheese made of yogurt) 2 tsp |
| Tabbouleh (cracked wheat, parsley, tomato and onion salad with lime dressing ) 3/4th cup | Lentil Soup 1 bowl | B’stilla (green beans, spinach and roasted aubergines , without cream) 1 cup | Grilled halloumi 1 cube |
| Shawarma 1 (small) | Loubieh (green beans) 1 cup | Greek salad 1 cup | Feta Cheese 2 cubes |
| Vine leaves stuffed with rice 2-3 | Grilled chicken/fish 60-80 gms | Toros salad (Parsley, fresh mint leaves, rocket leaves, onions and tomatoes with olive oil and sumac dressing) 1 cup | |
| Rice 3/4th cup | Moussaka (grilled slices of zucchini, squash, aubergine and peppers accompanied with chickpea and tomato) (As a full meal) 1 ½ - 2 cups | ||
| Moudardara/Mujadara (lentil + rice) (As a full meal) 1 ½ - 2 cups |
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Dessert: (Optional)
Fresh Fruits
Drinks:
- Lemon and mint soda – 1 glass
- Coffee – 1 cup
- Ayran – 1 glass
NOW FOR THE DON’TS…
- Avoid indulging in fried dishes like falafel nuggets. If you simply can’t resist, then restrict yourself to 1-2 nuggets.
- Avoid caramelized onions, kebabs, fried pita, batata harra as these increase your calorie intake in just one meal.
- Opt for fresh fruits instead of baklava (puffed pastry dipped in date/sugar syrup with nuts).
