The Greeks are well-known for having some healthy dishes, so when going out to a Greek restaurant, be happy. In Greek cuisine, olive oil is the main fat used to cook dishes, which is great for you heart and your waist. For appetizers/mezedes try: hummus with pita, kalamata olives, tzatziki with pita, or a small portion of feta cheese with olive oil and oregano. For main courses you can choose from: colorful salads with olive oil, grilled fish or lamb with couscous, stifado stew, or pita breads filled with hummus and vegetables or grilled chicken. Just stay away from gyros and anything fried. For dessert you wont be able to eat baklava, but you can have some Greek yogurt with fruit, which offers great taste with plenty of nutritional value. Always consume plenty of water throughout your meal.

Quick Reference for Greek Food  

HEALTHY GREEK DISHES

Aginares A La Polita (Vegetarian - Artichokes and Olive Oil)
Avgolemono (Soup - Rice, Eggs, Lemon, and Broth)
Fakes (Soup - Lentils)
Fasolada (Soup - Beans, Carrots, Celery, Tomatoes, and Olive Oil)
Fasolakia Freska (Vegetarian Stew - Green Beans, Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Zucchini)
Gigandes Plaki (Vegetarian - Beans, Herbs, Peppers, and Tomato Sauce)
Psarosoupa (Soup - Fish, Carrots, Celery, Onion, Parsley, Potato, Olive Oil)
Trahana (Soup - Grains and Yogurt)
Tyrokafteri (Dip - Feta, Garlic, and Roasted Red Bell Peppers)
Tzatziki (Dip - Yogurt, Garlic, Cucumber, Olive Oil)
   

GREEK DISHES TO STAY AWAY FROM

Ameletita (Meat - Lamb's Testicles)
Baklava (Dessert - Layers of Pastry, Nuts, and Syrup)
Bekri Meze (Meat - Beef, Cloves, Cinnamon, Bay Leaves, and Wine)
Gyros (Sandwich - Meat, Sauce, and Pita Bread)
Kokoretsi (Meat - Lamb Innards)
Keftedes (Meat - Fried Meat Balls)
Loukoumades (Dessert - Fried Dough, Honey, and Cinnamon)
Pastitsio (Pasta - Ground Meat and Sauce)
Patsas (Soup - Tripe)
Spetsofai (Meat - Sausages, Onions, Peppers, and Wine)
 

This website is intended as a reference only, not as a medical manual. The information given is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you feel that you have a medical problem, please seek immediate medical help. Before starting any diet, you should consult with your doctor.