Staying fit in a place like UAE can be hard, with the temptation of greasy fries at every turn.
Fact is: If you want to stick to your fitness routine and see real results, replacing a nutritionally empty high-calorie meal [400-500 calories] with a nutrient-rich 200 calorie meal will make a huge difference.
For your benefit, we tracked down the most delicious healthy in Dubai with under 200 calories:
1. Doctor Chef Restaurant
Located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), this world’s first therapeutic restaurant has delicious multi-cuisine choices that blend therapy and taste. The place also prepares recipes for people who have any medical conditions.
Wi-Fi is also available [Hello, working lunches].
What’s there for under 200? Try their fresh Sabzi Handi, Braised Humour with Spinach and Lemon, or Thai Chicken Curry. Unfortunately, you have to make do with plain water with the main course to make sure you’re under the calorie count [but water’s yum!].
About: The delicious Sabzi Handi is loaded with high fiber vegetables- mushroom, spinach and carrots, and is a great source of iron for your immune system.
The braised humour is filled with proteins and Omega-3 fats (the much needed “good fats”). The Thai Chicken curry is a flavorful delicacy on its own. This creamy, low-fat coconut based curry is seasoned with Thai spices that boost the immune system, and is an ideal ‘brain food’ due to the various nutrients found in coconut milk.
The Verdict: All these main courses are well below 200 calories: Sabzi Handi- 145 kcal, Braised Hummour: 124 kcal and Thai Chicken Curry- 120 kcal. Since the restaurant has various cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, Japanese, European and Arabic, you get a good mix for your palate.
The ease of access through the tram is an added bonus for those who wish to opt for public transport.
How Much? Fresh Sabzi Handi AED 25, Braised Hummour AED 43, Thai Chicken Curry AED 35
When: Daily- 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Shop H6, Promenade Level, Cluster H, Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Dubai
Call: +971 4 434 1269
2. Sol’s Eatery
Another restaurant that offers good taste for a low calorie count is Sol’s eatery. With a wide selection of healthy food, salads are amongst their specialties. The restaurant also has a ‘create your own’ concept, where you can create your own choice of salad using the various ingredients available.
What’s there for under 200? Try their Three Bean Salad with tuna fillet chunk, or Smoked Salmon, avocado and rocket salad. Pair either main course with the apple, pineapple and ginger fruit blend and you have a great meal to fill your appetite.
About: The Three Bean Salad consists of red kidney beans, butter beans and green beans which are all good for lowering cholesterol levels in body and providing fiber. The tuna adds a touch of elegance and texture to the salad. The Smoked Salmon Salad is also delicious with a refreshing fruit like avocado, sesame seeds and a dash of olive oil.
The Verdict: The options are all below 200 kcal: Three Bean Salad- 120 kcal, Smoked Salmon Salad- 131 kcal, and Apple, Pineapple and Ginger fruit blend- 36 kcal. The friendly staff, positive vibe and budget-friendly nature makes this place a must visit.
How Much? Three Bean Salad with Tuna fillet chunk- AED 32, Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Rocket Salad- AED 32, Apple, Pineapple and Ginger fruit blend: AED 16
When: Sunday-Thursday, 7:30am – 10pm, Friday-Saturday, 12pm – 10pm
Where: Shop 105, The Oberoi Centre, Business Bay, Dubai
Call: 800 7567, +971 4 558 6718
3. Balance Café
Well, the name says it all! Balance Café has the right mix of meals for those of you who don’t want to compromise on good food while trying to keep the calories low.
What’s there for under 200? Try Balance Café’s Tandoori Broccoli and Tofu Tikka, or Oven baked Chicken Shashlik or Grilled Fish with a side of rice.
About: The Tandoori Broccoli and Tofu Tikka is a clay oven roasted tofu, served with spicy mint chutni and house salad. Alternatively, choose some favorites off the kids’ menu such as Oven Baked Chicken Shashlik or Grilled Fish with rice.
The Verdict: While the Tandoori Broccoli and Tofu Tikka contains 182 kcal, the Oven Baked Chicken Shashlik has 190 kcal and Grilled Fish contains 185 kcal. However, you’ll have to make do with plain water only. Look at the positive side; the venue is inexpensive yet has healthy and tasty food. What are you waiting for?
How much? Tandoori Broccoli and Tfu Tikka- AED 28, Oven Baked Chicken Shashlik- AED 29, Grilled Fish with Rice and Peas- AED 29
When: Saturday-Wednesday 8am – 9:30pm, Thursday and Friday 8am – 10:30pm
Where: Level 3, Oasis Centre, Al Quoz 1, Dubai
Call: +971 4 5154051
4. 77 Veggie Boutique
If you’re a vegetarian looking to get healthy, we recommend 77 Veggie Boutique. All the dishes clock in at less than 500 calories, which is the main selling point of the restaurant.
What’s there for under 200? You can go for their Spinach Jacket Wrap or the Arabia fit Spinach & Chickpeas Meal. Pair this with the special spiced tea with herbs, and you’re good to go for the day.
About: The Spinach Wrap is a delight, with marinated veggies and spinach, a very iron base. The Arabia fit Spinach & Chickpeas Meal is no less, containing low carb steamed chickpeas, and is served with low fat cheese and brown thin bread. Sounds yummy indeed!
The Verdict: The Spinach Jacket Wrap rounds off to 139 kcal, while the Arabia Fit Spinach & Chickpeas meal consists of just 100 kcal. This, when paired with the spiced tea at 45 kcal, is a good deal for under 200 calories. The best part about 77 Veggie Boutique is that calorie counting is their unique selling proposition.
So you can rest assured that you are indeed consuming the calories listed on the menu. Also, the ambience is great, which can elevate your mood further – great for a mid-day pick-me-up.
How Much? Spinach Jacket Wrap- AED 32, Arabia Fit Spinach & Chickpeas meal- AED 43, Spiced tea with herbs- AED 21
When: Sunday-Thursday 8:30 am- 10 pm, Friday- 1 pm- 10 pm, Saturday- 11am- 9 pm
Where: Tiffany Tower, Cluster W, lake level – JLT – Dubai
Call: +971 55 717 8866, +971 4 422 4116
5. 4S- Everyday Healthy Dining
It has some interesting dishes besides salads, which means there’s so much more you can delve into without being t conscious of the calories you are consuming!
What’s there for under 200? Try the Greek Salad, Chipotle Chicken Salad or the Grilled Chicken Steak by 4S. You are sure to start loving the place!
About: Vegetarians can opt for a traditional Greek salad with refreshing ingredients such as cucumbers and tomatoes topped with the special Kalamata olives and feta. Get your share of meat with the Chipotle Chicken Salad, which consists of grilled chicken pieces in chipotle sauce tossed in fresh lettuce, avocado, cucumber and corn.
On the other hand, the Grilled Chicken Steak is served either sautéed vegetables, mashed potatoes or Mexican rice and drizzled with your choice of flavor including lemon, thyme sauce or rosemary to ensure your tastebuds are satisfied.
The Verdict: The Greek Salad is only 109 calories, while the Grilled Chicken Steak is 148 calories. Just at the border, Chipotle Chicken Salad is 200 calories. In addition, with the launch of the new Al Jaddaf Marine station near the Creek metro station, as well as the Red Line reaching DIFC through public transport is easier than ever before!
How much? Greek Salad- AED 17, Grilled Chicken Steak- AED 35
When: Sunday-Thursday 7:30- 11 pm (closed on Fridays), Saturday- 9am- 11 pm
Where: Level P4, Park Towers, DIFC, Dubai.
Call: +971 4 365 2222