There’s one thing most traveler enthusiasts have in common — the worry that trying all the delicious local food might lead to gaining weight. The same goes for people who plan to travel in Portugal, since it’s hard to resist Portuguese pastries and local dishes.
Still, if Portugal is your next stop, there’s good news: there are a lot of healthy food options you can try while traveling to this country.
It is completely normal to want to watch out for your physical shape while you’re on vacation. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the intriguing dishes from different cuisines or that your experience in trying foreign foods will become less valuable. Lucky for you, in Portugal, you can find traditional food that is both healthy and high in nutritional value. Let’s talk about 5 of them.
1. Arroz de Pato
Arroz de Pato is just as popular in Portugal as burgers and French fries are in the US. It is a part of Portuguese traditional cuisine, and you will often come across it in restaurants here. This dish consists of duck, sausage, port wine, carrots, cloves, onions, and, of course, rice. Thus, it includes a huge amount of protein and is thought to be a comfort food, especially in the cold.
Interestingly, locals insist that the best Arroz de Pato is baked at home. However, duck meat is a bit tricky to prepare, and if you haven’t mastered specific preparation techniques, you might not be able to achieve the desired result. That’s why some food lovers who visit Portugal prefer to hire a private chef in Porto to experience the true version of this classic dish. When done right, it’s indeed unforgettable.
Arroz de Pato is full of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates. It is also rich in B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. However, it is important to eat this food in moderation if you’re trying to watch out for your weight.
2. Caldo Verde
Portuguese cuisine consists of many soup options, including caldo verde. This is one of the greatest examples of Portuguese healthy foods. It is made with kale, potatoes, linguiça sausage, Portuguese chorizo, garlic, and olive oil. All these ingredients are a perfect combination of flavors and nutrients.
Caldo Verde is full of vitamins. With the addition of olive oil, it also contains necessary healthy fats, which are important for a healthy heart. Caldo Verde can be a really nice replacement for the usual processed foods and an incredible meal for tourists because of its high nutritional value. Therefore, it can help you not to lose your shape during vacation.
3. Frango Assado
Frango Assado is a grilled chicken that is seasoned with black pepper, cumin, paprika, and garlic and covered with a hot sauce called piri-piri. For those who prefer to receive lean protein, this dish is perfectly suitable for you. It is also rich in vitamins like niacin and selenium.
If you decide to add Frango Assando to your diet, in general, it would be a wise choice, as this food with whole grain buns will provide you with a balanced meal while maintaining a strong, healthy body. To have the best experience, try pairing it with vegetables or healthy salads and soups.
4. Bolo de Laranja
Desserts are very important in Portuguese cuisine. While most of them don’t have much nutritional value, bolo de laranja is an exception. It is an orange cake that consists of freshly made orange juice, eggs, flour, and sugar. While it can be a bit high in calories, it certainly has benefits that need to be mentioned.
The orange juice inside offers vitamin C, which is crucial for boosting the immune system, and it later helps fight the virus when you get a cold. In addition, eggs contain lean protein. It is also low in added sugars and fats.
5. Bacalhau com Todos
Bacalhau com todos is dried and salted cod. It is a key ingredient in numerous traditional Portuguese dishes, and therefore, you can find it in a lot of local restaurants. The taste of this dish isn’t the only reason why it’s especially common among tourists, though. The true value is hidden behind its dietary advantages and health benefits.
Bacalhau com Todos is often a part of healthy, balanced diets. It is a long-lasting protein source, as when the cod gets dried and salted, it becomes easily preservable. Bacalhau is full of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. In addition, it also lowers cholesterol levels and reduces the chances of getting heart disease.
Bottom Line
Preventing weight gain during a fun trip to another country can be a challenge for many. Nevertheless, in Portugal, this will be an easy task to solve, as local cuisine offers various healthy and low-calorie dishes that are absolutely divine and clearly represent the main taste of Mediterranean food culture. If you decide to travel in Portugal, now at least you know that you don’t have to choose between flavor and fitness — both are perfectly possible thanks to healthy food options in this country.
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