Sri Lankan food - any idea of calories and/or healthy options?

[sunnyside303]

I'm trying to prepare for a meal out that I have to go to on Saturday at a Sri Lankan restaurant. I've had a look at the menu and it seems that most of the food is very high fat. Does anyone have experience with Sri Lankan food who would be able to give me an idea of healthy options/calories in dishes?

[Blondie1984]

Can you share the link to the restaurant and menu?

[rainstormsandrainbows]

@Blondie1984 yep, here you go kolamba.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ONLINE-MENU-JULY-20-1.pdf

[Deathraystare]

It all looks very nice!

That watercress sambal sounds delicious!

I would think most is calorific. Can yo not count it as a one off and then cut down the rest of the week?/following week. Obvs if sharing a rice dish/other dishes don't go back for seconds! Tbh I think if you try to have the least calorific dish on the menu you will not enjoy yourself. We are allowed occasional treats, just bring a doggy bag back for me!

[BeeyatchPlease]

Some of the best food I've ever eaten was in Sri Lanka, just amazing!
Anything with coconut in it will be calorific but the menu you attached has black pepper prawns which will be tempered and not in much of a sauce so I'd be inclined to go for that if you're trying to watch what you eat.
I do agree with PP that you should get what you want, don't stuff yourself but have one night off. Everything in moderation and all that jazz.

[pinkbalconyrailing]

yes, eat what you fancy at the restaurant and even out the excess over a few days.
don't be hard on yourself.
enjoy!

[Sairafina]

You shouldn't let a high calorie meal make going out for dinner seem like a chore! Saying you have to go out to a lovely restaurant puts it in the same basket as having to do the ironing!!

I often find that restaurant portions are massive so I ask for a takeaway box (or you could bring a tuppaware from home) and immediately put 1/3 of the meal into it. That way you can really enjoy the food infront of you, and have some delicious leftovers for the next day.

It is much easier to work out calories over a week than one day. As PPers have said, if you go to excess on one day then just make sure it evens out over the course of the week.

[sunnyside303]

Thanks everyone, I think i will try to just 'go with the flow' - @Sairafina you're right, I don't want meals out to be a chore and I want to enjoy them so perhaps I will just eat a little bit of everything and cut down before and after the meal. It's hard to watch what you eat when life is so revolved around food!

[Elakiya]

@sunnyside303 My parents are Sri Lankan. On that menu I think the string hoppers are the least calorific also worth a try because that's a dish unique to Sri Lanka (at least I think it is, unsure if Kerala in India serve it too).

However, please please please do not leave that restaurant without trying the milk hoppers. Unsure if they serve it with sugar, but if they don't sprinkle a slight bit of sugar on and it really hits the spot. I love milk hoppers lol.