There are lots of ways of making your fish and chips a healthier option, such as: have a portion of baked beans or mushy peas with your fish and chips. choose thicker chips where possible as they absorb less fat. try to have a smaller portion or share your chips.
Fish and chips
There are lots of ways of making your trip to the chippy a healthier one. Have a portion of baked beans or mushy peas with your fish and chips. Watch out for other foods that are high in fat, such as pies and sausages. The thicker the chips the better because they absorb less fat.
“Go for grilled dishes over fried; chicken and fish over fattier meats, like lamb; tomato or veggie sauces rather than creamy ones; and steamed rice over fried,” advises Laura. She also suggests avoiding sides and other add ons unless they're vegetables as well as eating mindfully and being aware of portion sizes.
Are fish and chips healthy? Fish and chips is one of the nation's favourite dishes. But both the fish and the chips are usually deep-fried, so can be high in fat and calories. Even oven chips have usually been fried at some point and can have added salt, too.
The Least Healthy Takeaway Options
— Battered Fish and Chips: There are many health benefits to eating fish, but a classic fish and chips meal is full of fat and salt. Instead, opt for grilled fish and a salad, or see if you can swap half your chips for greens.
If you like crumbed fish, this can be ok if you choose to crumb it yourself in wholegrain breadcrumbs and cook using a healthier cooking method and a healthy oil. The Heart Foundation doesn't recommend battered fish, as it is generally deep fried.
Not only does the high heat create a nice char on the outside, but it also helps to seal in the juices, resulting in a moist and tender fillet. In addition, grilling fish instead of frying it can reduce the amount of unhealthy fat consumed.
And that is just in terms of fat content and calories per meal, NHS guidelines are that a healthy diet should include at least 2 portions of fish a week. One portion of fish and chips provides vitamin C, B6, and B12, some Iron, Zinc and Calcium, as well as Iodine, Omega 3 fatty acid and some important dietary fiber.
It's only one meal, gone in a matter of minutes, but it packs an artery-clogging wallop. An average portion of fish and chips equals about 842 calories.
Good, lower-calorie choices include: steamed, broiled or roasted chicken, beef, pork or shrimp Chow Mein, Chop Suey, Moo Goo Gai Pan, and of course, steamed veggies. Anything described as crispy, coated, marinated, twice-cooked or battered suggests higher calorie and fat contents.
Good news – you CAN enjoy those takeaways as part of a normal healthy balanced diet and still lose weight if that's your goal. No need to deprive or punish yourself, just because you have health goals!
Many of us love a takeaway but, as they tend to be so unhealthy, they're often written off as soon as we start dieting. Although takeaways will always be a treat and always hold a higher calorie count than many other foods, that doesn't mean you have to avoid them entirely if you're on a diet and need a quick dinner!
So, how many is too many? I'd suggest that once a week should be your maximum, but it will come as no surprise that the answer depends on what you're ordering, where from and how much you're eating.
Haddock is the fish that most chefs prefer for fish and chips. The texture isn't as flaky or tender as cod but the meat has more flavor. Haddock has a slight sweetness that pairs well with the buttery flavor of the batter.
Fish is naturally low in calories and is a great source of protein, so it is typically a healthier option when compared to a cheeseburger. It is also rich in essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, while cheeseburgers are often higher in saturated fats and calories.
Chips are fine to eat when consumed in moderation, but watch out for high sodium content and trans fats. Note serving sizes before digging into a bag of chips. Kale chips and popcorn are great alternatives to make at home. Crunchy fruit, vegetables, and nuts are other chip alternatives.
It is possible to make curry with little or no fat, plenty of health giving spices and water and broth, with proteins including fish and also vegetables, which makes these curries way healthier than fish and chips.
Baked chips are also one of the highest sources acrylamides. This cancer-causing chemical forms when high-carb foods (like potatoes) are heated to high temperatures. The FDA found that baked potato chips contain about three times more acrylamides than traditional fried chips.
Say Farewell to Fried Fish
Frying is a popular, and tasty, way to prepare fish, but it loads up the calorie count and doesn't promote your weight-loss goals.
There are 262 calories in 2 pieces (142 g) of Woolworths Battered Fish Fillets.