In the last couple of decades, advances in technology, transport, public infrastructure, and commerce have reduced the need for an average individual to move around much. Everything these days is deliverable to one's doorstep. Especially with the advent of food delivery services like Swiggy and Zomato, many people don't leave their homes for days and sometimes weeks on end. The ease of procurement and availability of fast food has taken obesity and associated health conditions to an epidemic level. Youth all over the world have been the worst hit, and this is a reality even in the dating scene. It isn't uncommon to see a couple where one person is quite health-conscious and is careful about what and how much they eat, while on the other hand, the other person is happy-go-lucky about food and indulges in an endless pursuit of taste and quantity.
For the calorie-conscious weight watchers among us, there are plenty of low-calorie dishes that are conducive to weight loss even during the course of a date. Some of these dishes are:
1. Skinny Alfredo: A lighter interpretation of Fettuccine Alfredo, this dish won't make you feel guilty when indulging in those pasta cravings. Replacing the heavy cream with Greek yogurt helps keep the creamy sauce that will make you think this dish is made with cream. Foregoing the butter and cream reduces the calorie count per serving by at least 550 calories, bringing the total calorie count down to a mere 650 calories from 1200 calories. That's a 50% reduction in calories and, as a result, a healthier option even on dates.
2. Greek Stuffed Peppers: These Mediterranean-inspired peppers are filled with Zucchini, Cherry Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives and sharp crumbled feta cheese, making them taste just like a Greek salad with added Couscous and Chicken breast. A perfect dish for dinner all by itself or when served with Greek Lemon Potatoes or Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant, this is a very colorful and flavorful dish. At just 500 calories per serving, this dish is satiating and low in calories.
3. Vegan Ground Beef: Made using tofu instead of beef, this can be an ideal substitute in Tacos, Pastas and grain bowls. Ideal for both vegans and non-vegans, this dish doesn’t skimp on the seasonings. Its versatility is evidenced by the fact that this can easily be a replacement for beef in plenty of dishes like Taco Salad and Stuffed Peppers. With only 138 calories per serving, this dish is just as filling as the beef version but lower in calories.
4. Chicken Cauliflower Fried Rice: A delicious and healthy substitute for conventional fried rice, this dish is a sneaky way to add more veggies to a meal. This delicious and nutritious dish substitutes white or brown rice with cauliflower. This one substitution brings the overall calorie count down to 377, making it a high-volume, low-calorie food.
5. Teriyaki Chicken: Made using Teriyaki sauce, this dish is sweet and savory and very filling. Like most dishes from Japanese cuisine, this one is also low in calories, with a mere 321 calories per serving. The mirin or sake, combined with sugar caramelization, adds luster to this dish. Its simplicity and ability to make boring food look extremely appetizing have endeared this dish to many around the world.
6. Sashimi: Made with thinly sliced pieces of raw meat or fish, sashimi is usually eaten with soy sauce. Considered by many Japanese chefs as being the finest dish in formal Japanese dining, sashimi may be eaten as a first course or a main course. With just 30 to 40 calories per one-ounce piece, sashimi is an ideal dish for those of us that want to lose weight even while dining on a date night.
7. Miso Soup: A dish rich in essential micronutrients like vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, and calcium, this dish is light on the digestive system and contains prebiotics that help maintain the gut biome. As this dish is plant-based, it helps reduce cholesterol levels as well. A fantastic way to reduce sugar intake and increase fiber intake, one cup of miso soup has only 84 calories, making it one of the best dishes for weight loss.
8. Jjampong: With a mere 300 calories per serving, this Korean delicacy is a noodle soup with a seafood- or pork-based broth. The use of squid, mussels, and pork makes this a high-protein dish. This filling fish may also be eaten dry, that is, without the soup. A refreshing and addictive dish, it usually competes with jajangmyeon (Korean black noodles) in terms of flavor.
9. Pho: A popular Vietnamese soup dish made of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, Pho is a wholesome, flavorful, and satiating dish. With anywhere between 300 and 450 calories per serving, pho is ideal for the calorie-conscious among us. With at least 19 types, pho is considered to be Vietnam's national dish. We're sure that your significant other will love this soup dish, as it is light and filling and is like the ultimate comfort food.
10. Traditional Margherita Pizza: Margherita pizza made traditionally is a healthy food. Contrary to popular belief, which has been cemented by commercially available chain restaurant pizzas, Margherita pizza made in the original Italian style with Italian ingredients is low in calories. With one small pizza containing only 750 calories, each slice ends up with only about 150 to 170 calories. The colors of this pizza are meant to represent the colors of the Italian flag. We're sure that the special one in your life won't say no to a pizza. Who says no to pizza, right?
The above options are merely the tip of the iceberg in terms of healthy dishes that can be consumed while on a date. Date night dining is no longer just about spending time with one's significant other, but with an increase in awareness, it has also become an avenue for consumption of healthier food options like the ones mentioned above and many more.