Ethnic Food Choices....

We love to go out to eat and I have been a bit more confident about going out and making healthy choices.  I know there will be some hidden ingredients, but for the most part I know how to work around it and sometimes just have to indulge! Vietnamese is one of my favorite ethnic type foods.  There is nothing like a great bowl of Pho to help ease the symptoms of the common cold!

Vietnamese food is known for the fresh herbs, lots of vegetables and seafood, and cooking techniques that use water or broth instead of oils -- these are some of the standout qualities of this cuisine.  Prepared the traditional way, relies less on frying and heavy coconut-based sauces for flavor and more on herbs, which makes it lower in calories.

Traditional Vietnamese flavorings (including cilantro, mint, Thai basil, star anise, and red chili) have long been used as alternative remedies for all sorts of ailments, and cilantro and anise have actually been shown to aid digestion and fight disease-causing inflammation.

One of the healthiest and most delicious Vietnamese dishes is pho (pronounced "fuh"), an aromatic, broth-based noodle soup full of antioxidant-packed spices.

Danger zone: If you're watching your weight, avoid the fatty short ribs on many Vietnamese menus.  I also try and limit the noodles as much as possible and avoid anything on the sweet side!