Thai cuisine is one of the most popular and well-loved Asian cuisines because of its vibrant harmony of flavors, colors, and nutrients. Thai dishes stand out because they are commonly made from fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices. They are created through mindful cooking techniques that naturally bring out the flavor and retain the nutrients from the vegetables and proteins.
What Makes Thai Dishes Healthy?
Because of the way they are prepared and the ingredients used, Thai dishes can be great additions to healthy and nutritious diets. Thai cuisine abundantly uses vegetables, “good” carbohydrates, like noodles and rice, and lean proteins, such as seafood, chicken, and tofu, providing a well-balanced mix of essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers.
Fresh herbs and spices like lemongrass, turmeric, coriander, chili, lime, and ginger are also commonly used. Aside from lending a distinct and unique taste to dishes, these are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help strengthen the immune system, aid digestion, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Another popular ingredient in Thai cooking is coconut milk, which adds creaminess and a rich flavor to Thai curry dishes and soups. While it is calorie-dense, coconut milk also contains essential fatty acids that are easier for the body to digest, less likely to be stored as fat, and convert to a readily available energy source. Additionally, coconut milk is lactose-free, making it suitable for those who cannot consume regular milk. When used moderately, coconut milk is an excellent addition to one’s diet.
Thai dishes are also cooked using healthier methods like stir-frying, steaming, and grilling, which help preserve the ingredients’ nutritional value and ensure less use of unhealthy oils and fats.
Aside from using less oils, Thai meals are also low in refined sugars. Thai cooking relies on fruits and certain vegetables to elevate and add natural sweetness to dishes.
Healthy Thai Dishes To Try
Whether you are a Thai cuisine connoisseur or a first-timer who wants to try it out, here are some of the best Thai dishes that are not only flavor-packed and delectable but are also great additions to a well-balanced and healthy diet.
Tom Yum
This hot and sour soup is the epitome of a healthy Thai dish. It is made with herbs, including lemongrass, lime leaves, and chili peppers, combined with shrimp, chicken, or tofu.
This light yet flavorful dish is rich in antioxidants and has a tinge of spiciness that can aid metabolism.
Som Tum (Papaya Salad)
Som Tum is a light and refreshing salad that typically comprises shredded green papaya, tomatoes, green beans, and chili peppers. It also has a delicate dress made of lime juice, tamarind juice, and fish sauce.
Som Tum is a great starter or appetizer to a full-course Thai cuisine meal. It is low in calories and has high amounts of fiber, which is excellent for digestive health.
Pad Pak Thai (Stir-Fried Vegetables)
Pad Pak is one of the simplest yet most nutrient-rich Thai dishes. It features fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and cauliflower, stir-fried with garlic and soy sauce.
Pad Pak is low in calories, high in fiber, and provides many vitamins and minerals, thanks to the variety of vegetables in it.
Gai Pad Krapow (Thai Basil Chicken)
This savory, stir-friend dish made with lean chicken is an excellent protein pack meal without resorting to calorie-dense red meats like beef and pork. In addition, the basil and garlic used in cooking add a unique flavor and elevate the dish’s antioxidant properties.
Pla Neung Manao (Steamed Fish With Lime)
Pla Neung Manao is a steamed white fish dish with aromatic limes and chili. Fish and seafood are rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acid, which is good for the heart, while lime is packed with vitamin C, which helps improve the immune system and protect the body from viruses.
Green Curry
Curry dishes have more fat and calorie content than the other dishes on the list, but that does not mean it is unhealthy. The protein from the meat, the anti-inflammatory and metabolic benefits of chili, and the essential fatty acids from the coconut milk elevate the nutritional value of this heart and flavorful dish.
Check out more articles about dining in Phuket here.
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Thai cuisine’s emphasis on using fresh ingredients, lean proteins, and a wide range of herbs and spices makes it an excellent option for healthier food choices without sacrificing taste and flavor.
The next time you indulge in a Thai meal, know that you are not only satisfying your taste buds with a symphony of flavors but also treating your body to a plethora of nutrients.
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