Eating Smart While Eating Out

Tidbits of Aurora CO 1/23/08

Eating out no longer means we need to break our New Year’s resolution of dieting and better nutrition. Eating a different ethnic food may be good for you, especially if it is Asian. Many studies have shown that freshly cooked Asian cuisine, which you can find at Moon Thai Express, can help you in many ways. Asian food is centered less on heavy meats such as beef and pork, than American cuisine is. Asian food is heavy on vegetables, poultry and fish; it is only American consumers that skew the menu in American-based Asian restaurants to reflect the American consumer passion for heavy meat.

If you are looking at taking control of your eating habits this year, and for the rest of your life, it is a good idea to visit your local Asian restaurant and look beyond the American favorites of beef and pork. At Moon Thai Express, the menu reflects the American influence of beef and pork but also offers many vegetarian, fish and chicken alternatives.

Besides fresh vegetables and fish, Asian cuisine is usually spicier than American fare. Many studies have shown benefits of various spices found in Asian cuisine. Studies have found that capsaicin can be used to fight pancreatic cancer; it slowed the growth of cancer cells and in some cases, even caused cancer cells to die off.

Capsaicin is also being studied for its benefits to ease the pain of arthritis and other chronic pain such as headaches and osteoporosis. Additionally, statistics show that cultures that eat spicy foods, such as some Asian countries, frequently have a much lower rate of heart attack and stoke.

Asian food is the most popular ethnic cuisine in the United States, according to the National Restaurant Association. Many restaurants, like Moon Thai Express, have responded to growing public interest in healthier and more nutritious food.

To ensure healthier eating, Moon Thai Express offers the following suggestions: Try dishes with lots of vegetables such as Hunan Chicken. This dish offers many fresh vegetables and flavors to excite the palette. Experiment with tofu, and bean curd; both dried and soft.

You can also request your sauce to be served on the side. You can even order “sides” of fresh vegetables and make a meal of them on their own. And to really save on the calories, fat and salt intake while enjoying a complex meal; share. This is a very acceptable way to eat in Asian restaurants.

Want something hot to keep you warm this winter? Try the Tom Yum Soup, a Thai specialty at Moon Thai Express. The soup is currently under scientific study for the incredible health benefits. Other fresh herbs and spices prevalent in Asian cuisine that are being studied include:

· Lemon grass; this has been used to treat flues, colds, fevers, headaches, abdominal pain, arthritis and fungal conditions.

· Coriander; the coriander seed has been used for centuries to treat digestive problems, loss of appetite and bacterial and fungal infections.

· Chilies; fresh or dried, studies have shown that eating chilies helps you sleep better, keeps your heart healthy and helps maintain consistent insulin and glucose and levels.

· Coconut Milk; and coconut oil lower bad cholesterol (LDL), boosts immunity, modulates metabolic functions, provides valuable fatty acids which most people in the West are lacking, and fights aging.

Eating Asian cuisine can help you maintain healthy lifestyle, and improved nutrition.

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