Whether you have always been a fan of eating sushi your entire life, or if you are just now getting into eating sushi but you want to stay healthy, it is possible to find healthy sushi choices at nearly all restaurants that offer sushi with enough education and research on the subject before dining out (or ordering takeout).

Best Healthy Sushi Appetizers

One of the healthiest sushi appetizers to choose from when dining out is “Edamame”, also known as steamed soybeans. The beans are naturally low in sodium and high in protein, making them an ideal appetizing treat before the main course. Seaweed salad is another appetizer with sushi that is acceptable, although it may have sugar added. Cucumber salads make healthy appetizer choices when eating sushi, although the dressing may contain fat or sugar, so it is important to ask ahead of time if you do not want a fattening or unhealthy dressing added. Stay away from deep friend appetizers to avoid unnecessary fats and oils.

Healthiest Main Course Sushi Meals

Choose Sashimi as a main course when enjoying sushi as it is low in mercury. Washington Salmon, Wild Alaska, Albacore, and Mackerel are all ideal fish choices when ordering Sashimi and looking for a healthy bite to eat.

Egg (Tamago) is another healthy choice as the egg only contains a small amount of added sugar.

Vegetable rolls are a better choice than eating fried foods or foods that are overstuffed with white rice. Although most vegetable rolls contain white rice, you can ask for a brown rice substitute for these as well.

Nigiri is another form of sushi that is known as “hand-formed.” It usually contains a small cube of rice on the top of it (which has seafood as well). This contains rice, but a brown rice substitute is an option at most sushi bars and restaurants.

When choosing a rice, choose brown and avoid white, as white rice adds nearly no nutritional value to your daily diet and only empty calories. Brown rice is actually a valid substitute to use in sushi, even though white rice is traditionally a main staple in sushi.

Avoid spicy sauces as they are generally made from a mayonnaise base and stay away from “tempura” as it often only means the food is deep fried, adding empty calories without nutritional value. Stay away from cream cheese rolls for the fat and cream-base and Bluefin tuna, as Bluefin is known to be high in mercury.

Best Sushi Condiments

Choose “Wasabi” also known as green horseradish, pickled ginger, and a low-sodium soy sauce for the healthiest condiment options when you are eating sushi. A typical tablespoon of traditional soy sauce contains more than 1,000 MG of sodium, which is unhealthy and may spike blood pressure if you have high tension or if you are watching your blood pressure regularly.

Sushi Desserts That are Actually Healthy

Many sushi bars and restaurants may offer fruit slices for desserts, including oranges. This is ideal as you should avoid eating deep fried ice cream, also known as tempura ice cream. Avoid mochi ice cream as well as it contains fat and sugar and is cream-based.

{May 29, 2012}