The World’s Healthiest Street Foods

on July 19, 2013
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The World’s Healthiest Street Foods

Traveling adds all sorts of foodie adventures to life. There’s nothing like sampling dishes from local street vendors to bring the country or region’s true flavors to light. And if you’re anything like us, you want to try everything within your line of sight, which can pack on the calories faster than you can say “si!” Just like in the U.S., there are healthful street foods around the globe if you know where to look and what to look for. We’ve scouted out 10 of those delicious treats from Vietnam to Jamaica, and asked registered dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth, author of the upcoming book Eating In Color: Delicious, Healthy Recipes for You and Your Family (January 2014), to give us her professional point of view.

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THAILAND: Som Tam Thai

What it is: This healthy and refreshing bowl is traditionally made up of shredded green papaya, tomatoes, string beans, dried shrimp, garlic and chilies dressed with fish sauce, cane sugar and lime and tamarind juice. What makes it healthy: “This delicious dish is low in fat and high in fiber. Plus, it contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats from the peanuts and antioxidants from the chili peppers,” Largeman-Roth says. “Just be aware that the fish sauce that is used in this dish contains a whopping 1413mg of sodium per tablespoon, so go easy on salty foods for the rest of the day.”

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VIETNAM: Bun Ca

What it is: This is, essentially, a fish noodle soup. It tastes a bit sour and contains cooked tomatoes along with other spices and herbs, such as cilantro and pepper. Look for street vendors that incorporate boiled fish over the fried-fish options. What makes it healthy: “The combination of garlic, tomatoes, onion and ginger root makes this flavorful soup a great dish for battling colds and flu,” Largeman-Roth says. “The addition of seafood (like mackerel or shrimp) provides a dose of low-fat protein.”

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SINGAPORE: Hainanese Chicken Rice

What it is: A specialty in this Southeast Asian city, Hainanese Chicken Rice is comprised of steamed chicken with a jelly-like layer and rice, cucumbers, chilies and pounded ginger. What makes it healthy: “With healthy steamed chicken, vegetables and fresh ginger, this dish has all the hallmarks of a good-for-you dish,” Largeman-Roth says. “Just make sure to remove the chicken skin before eating it.”

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BELIZE: Ceviche

What it is: This seafood dish is made up of raw fresh fish, like red snapper or barracuda, marinated in an acidic citrus, such as lemon or lime. It is then spiced with chili peppers, cilantro or local spices. What makes it healthy: “Antioxidant-rich spices and herbs, plus bioflavonoids from the citrus make this dish rank high on the list. Just make sure to buy it from a reputable vendor. You want to make sure the fish is fully ‘cooked’ by the citrus juice,” Largeman-Roth says.

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MOROCCO: Lamb Kebabs and Couscous

What it is: The delectable Moroccan street staple features succulent lamb skewers with meat that has been marinated in spices and topped with fresh mint. Couscous is prepared in tons of different ways, but it is common to include dried fruits and nuts. What makes it healthy: “Lamb is a lean meat and is packed with protein, iron and vitamin B12,” Largeman-Roth says. “With fresh mint and spices, and dried fruits and nuts flavoring the couscous, it makes a filling and balanced dish.”

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BRAZIL: Acai Bowl

What it is: This super-food-friendly dish adds acai berry pulp to granola and/or honey—done and done! What makes it healthy: “This treat is delicious and very high in antioxidants,” Largeman-Roth says.

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MEXICO: Pineapple Pork Tacos

What it is: A Mexican classic, these sweet and spicy tacos include pork, pineapple, chipotle chiles and cilantro. What makes it healthy: “These flavorful tacos have natural sweetness from the pineapple and plenty of antioxidants from the cilantro, chipotle chiles and other spices,” Largeman-Roth says. “As long as they are made with a lean cut of pork, they’re a good choice.”

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INDIA: Jhaal Muri

What it is: Crunch away on this popular spiced puffed rice snack ubiquitous in East India. Potato, cucumber, chiles, peanuts and coconut are typically added to the rice puffs. What makes it healthy: “All healthy ingredients. And the spice mix it’s flavored with, jhaal muri, is loaded with antioxidant-rich spices. Eat up!” Largeman-Roth says.

ISTANBUL: Balik Ekmek

What it is: These fish sandwiches, often sold right off of boats, are made with grilled fish, like mackerel, from the Bosphorus (the Istanbul Strait that forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia) and topped with arugula and slices of red onion and tomato. What makes it healthy: “Simple and made with omega-3 rich mackerel, these sandwiches are handy and tasty,” Largeman-Roth says. “The red onions that the sandwich is topped with are rich in quercetin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties.”

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JAMAICA: Coconut Water

What it is: A very refreshing street delight, Jamaicans sip and sell the juice from freshly cracked coconuts—that’s right, your straw goes right into the shell. What makes it healthy: “High in electrolytes, coconut water is perfect for staying hydrated.”

Traveling adds all sorts of foodie adventures to life. There’s nothing like sampling dishes from local street vendors to bring the country or region’s true flavors to light. And if you’re anything like us, you want to try everything within your line of sight, which can pack on the calories faster than you can say “si!” Just like in the U.S., there are healthful street foods around the globe if you know where to look and what to look for. We’ve scouted out 10 of those delicious treats from Vietnam to Jamaica, and asked registered dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth, author of the upcoming book Eating In Color: Delicious, Healthy Recipes for You and Your Family (January 2014), to give us her professional point of view.