Vietnamese cuisine is becoming popular all over the world and offers flavorful and filling dishes. Many Vietnamese dishes consist of rice, noodles and different meats. Just like any other cuisine, however, Vietnamese food can be filled with calories and fat grams. If you are watching your weight, it is very important to choose your menu items wisely. Here are five helpful tips for eating healthy at a Vietnamese restaurant:

Choose Your Pho Wisely

Pho soup is one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes and is filled with delicious flavor. However, this soup can be very high in fat and sodium. If you still want to try Pho soup, Healthy Dining Finder recommends choosing chicken as the protein, as it is low in fat. If you must have beef, choose a round cut. If you do not want to eat a lot of sodium, you should order the Pho soup without the broth.

Ask for Sauce on the Side

Sauces, such as caramel sauce, enhance the flavor of many Vietnamese dishes, but they can add more calories. If you still want to taste one of these sauces, at least order it on the side. That way, you can control how much sauce you put on your food.

Avoid the Barbecued Spareribs

Barbecued spareribs are popular in Vietnam, but they are not exactly the healthiest dish. If you are watching your weight, you should choose grilled vegetable skewers as an alternative. These skewers are tasty and filling, but they do not have nearly as many calories as barbecued spareribs.

Order Rice Paper Rolls as an Appetizer

If you want to order an appetizer, you should go with rice paper rolls. These rolls are filled with veggies and do not contain a lot of fat grams. They are a much healthier option than deep-fried spring rolls.

Omit Peanuts

Peanuts are used in various Vietnamese dishes, but they can be high in fat and calories. If you are on a diet, you can ask for your meal to be made without the peanuts.

As you can see, it is completely possible to eat Vietnamese food without sacrificing your waistline. If you follow these helpful tips, you can eat healthy at a Vietnamese restaurant. If you decide to order a dish that is high in calories and fat grams, practice portion control. Eat just half of the dish and take the rest home with you.

Visit local Vietnamese restaurants, such as A Taste Of Saigon, to find out which ones suit your health needs best.