Healthiest Foods to Order at a Greek Restaurant

The key ingredients in Greek food and Mediterranean cuisine offer many heart-healthy benefits, but not all Greek dishes are created equal. While many Greek entrees, appetizers and sides are made with generous dousing of olive oil and a few servings of vegetables, some of the meats, cheeses and sauces may offset any health benefits. Here's a healthy eating guide for your next trip to the Greek restaurant:

Healthy Foods to Order at the Greek Restaurant
Some of the healthiest foods you can order at the Greek restaurant include:

- Hummus with pita bread: Hummus is a made with chick peas, a little olive oil, lemon juice and tahini, and is served at almost all Greek and Mediterranean restaurants as an appetizer, or as part of a vegetarian platter. Hummus is also very filling, and you can keep things healthy by enjoying it with whole wheat pita bread.

- Dolmades: Dolmades are grape leaves stuffed with rice, vegetables and seasoning, and are often steamed to bring out the flavors. These are a healthy choice as an appetizer or side.

- Souvlaki: This is a dish comprised of skewered meats and vegetables that are cooked on the grill. Grilled, marinated meats and vegetables are among the healthiest ways to prepare a dish, so you can enjoy fewer calories when compared to the fried or seared dishes on the menu.

- Falafel platters: Falafel is available at most Greek and Mediterranean restaurants, and is among the healthiest foods you can order. Falafal is made from chickpeas and fava beans, is packed with protein, and is relatively low in fat. Just keep in mind that falafel is fried, so moderation is key when you're watching your weight.

- Horiatiki Salata : A classic Greek country salad, this lettuce-free salad is made with ripe tomatoes, onion, cucumber, feta cheese, extra virgin olive oil and a handful of Greek olives. If you pick out the olives and ask for the oil on the side, you can control the fat content of this tasty and relatively healthy salad.

- Kakavia: Also known as a Greek fisherman's soup, this clear-broth sopu is made with fresh vegetables and an assortment of seafood including cuttlefish, cod, scorpion fish and small lobster (depending on the restaurant). This flavorful soup also contains potatoes and zucchini, and can easily be a meal in itself.

Foods to Avoid at the Greek Restaurant

If you're watching your weight or have diabetes, you'll want to avoid or limit the servings of the following dishes at the Greek restaurant:

-Fried calamari

-Spanakopita: Spinach and full-fat feta cheese wrapped in buttery phyllo dough pastry

-Saganaki: A popular fried cheese appetizer that may or may not come with a (fattening) dipping sauce

-Greek country sausage: This is often served as a hot meze item and can be served on a bed of roasted vegetables

-Crispy zucchini: A variation of fried zucchini spears, this dish is usually deep fried in vegetable oil

-Mousaka: Layers of roasted eggplant, seasoned ground beef and potatoes topped with a rich béchamel sauce. This hearty dish will cure your cravings for comfort food, but will also do some damage to your waistline.

It is possible to eat healthy at the Greek restaurant when you know what the key ingredients are in each of the traditional dishes. Whether you're on a diet or need to keep diabetes under control, enjoy your meal by ordering some of the healthy dishes above on your next visit to the Greek restaurant.