Sushi or burger: Which is lower in calories?
updated the 14 July 2015 à 18:34When you read the title of this article you may think you already know the answer! But, is a Japanese meal necessarily lower in calories than a McDonald’s? Read the following – you will be surprised!
ONLY 50 CALORIES DIFFERENCE!
– A typical order at the Japanese restaurant: 2 small skewers of salmon for 310 calories, 6 tuna Californians for 250 calories, 6 pieces of salmon sushi for 240 calories and a glass of water for 0 calories…
Total: 800 calories
– Let’s now order at McDonald’s: 1 Big Mac for 500 calories, regular fries for 240 calories and a Coca-Cola for 110 calories…
Total: 850 calories!
LESS SNACKING WITH SUSHI
Even if in terms of calories the difference between these two meals is low, it is big in terms of the quality of the ingredients. Sushi is generally prepared from fresh ingredients, without fat. Fish give you omega 3, which is good for your brain and your cardiovascular health. Slow-burning sugars contained in the rice help to control your hunger without having cravings all afternoon. Sushi is thus a healthy and well-balanced food. This is in contrast with the meal ordered at McDonald’s, which is filled with fat and with quick-burning sugars caused by frying oils, sauces, cheese and sodas ultra rich in sugars (a Coca-Cola can contain the equivalent of 7 sugar cubes). Over and above, you will be hungry very quickly in the afternoon after this kind of meal that has a high glycemic index, which is less satisfying.
ADVICE FOR SUSHI ADDICTS
See your Japanese meals as real meals at the restaurant! A small pleasure that we offer ourselves from two to four times a month. But if we are real fans of Japanese food what can we do to avoid the damage? Begin with a miso soup and a Japanese salad of cabbage or a salad of seaweeds, which are very low in calories; they will quickly begin to fill your stomach, and you will tend to consume less afterward. For the rest, opt for salmon sashimis (6 to 10) which are rich in good fats and in proteins, then 2 types of sushi of your choice, which will bring you a few essential slow-burning sugars to last the rest of the day and a little soy sauce.
WHAT IS THE RICHEST FOOD AT A JAPANESE RESTAURANT?
Rich foods include makis and their diverse accompaniments, the Californian rolls are also very high in calories, as are cheese or meat skewers covered with sweet sauces. And you will have doubtless guessed it, tempura, which is fried is high in fat. If you really like these elements, choose one of your favourite ones, and add it to your meal.
IS IT NECESSARY TO BANISH MCDONALD’S?
No, but limit yourself to 4 fast food meals a month at the most. Forget phrases such as “Sushi is good, McDonald’s is bad”. It is the balance and the diversity of your food that is going to make it healthy or not. In brief, enjoy yourself!
Maia Baudelaire
