Top Five Greek Foods to Avoid

When it comes to healthy dishes, Mediterranean cuisine, such as Greek, is generally at the top of the list. The use of olive oil, fish, and fresh herbs make it almost perfect for those wishing to follow a healthy diet. However, as with any type of cuisine, there are a few exceptions. If you're watching your waist line, here are five Greek dishes to stay away from (or at least eat in moderation).

Pastitsio: This is a baked pasta with meat and Bechamel topping. The carbs found in the pasta, along with the fat of the cheese and whole stick of butter in the main dish, puts pastitsio on the unhealthier side of Greek food. Combine that with the two sticks of butter, one quart of milk, and eight egg yolks found in the béchamel sauce, and this is definitely a dish to steer clear of if you are even remotely health-conscious.

Saganaki: This is literally fried cheese. Think one pound of kefalotyri or pecorino romano cheese, dredged in flour and fried in oil. Granted, olive oil is used, which is lower in fat, but the cheese alone is enough to help you pack on the pounds.

Moussaka with Eggplant: Similar to pastitsio, this is a layered casserole of eggplant, meat sauce, and cheese. Topped with the same incredibly fattening béchamel sauce (with its butter, milk and egg yolks), this is another dish that is as unhealthy as it is delicious.

Halvas me Simigthali: This is semolina pudding with honey, nuts and raisins. Its ingredients of sugar and a whole cup of oil make it high in calories. However, there is no milk, butter, or eggs in the recipe, so you might consider it a tradeoff. Just keep the serving size on the small side.

Spanakopita: Basically a spinach pie, this is made by layering phyllo sheets with spinach and cheese filling. Made with olive oil, feta cheese, eggs, ricotta cheese, and butter, this dish can wreak havoc on your waist line, as well as your arteries.

These are just a few of the dishes in Greek cuisine that are on the unhealthy side. The use of olive oil, fresh vegetables, and herbs is often offset by the addition of meat, fatty cheeses, eggs, and butter. Pay attention to how your dish is prepared, stay clear of cheesy dishes, and you'll be more likely to choose a Greek dish that is healthy as well as delicious.

Sources:

Greek Recipes: http://greekfood.about.com/od/discovergreekfood/tp/25classics.htm