Low-Calorie Options at Greek Restaurants

Eating out can be challenging, but not impossible, if you are trying to limit your calorie intake. Asking about substitutions and food-preparation methods can help you save a lot of calories so you can enjoy good food and company at your favorite Greek restaurants without gaining or weight or stalling your weight loss. Look up the menu online before going to a restaurant to find suitable alternatives ahead of time and not be tempted by high-calorie options. Avoid gyros, moussaka and dolmades because of their high-calorie content.


Salads are considered a healthy low-calorie meal by many people, but this is not always the case. If your Greek salad is soaked in salad dressing, the caloric value of your meal could exceed your personal target. Choose a salad that mainly contains leafy greens and vegetables, and ask for the dressing on the side so you can decide on the amount to use. Request less feta cheese and ask for a 3- to 4-ounce serving of chicken, pork or beef to ensure you get enough protein, an important nutrient to help you feel fuller after your low-calorie meal. A few sliced olives is not a problem. Each large or jumbo olive provides only 5 to 12 calories.


A chicken kebab has about 260 calories, while pork and lamb souvlakis provide up to 310 calories. Souvlakis are a good source of protein and can help you feel more satisfied on your low-calorie diet. The problem is that souvlakis are often accompanied by a big pile of rice, which packs at least 240 extra calories. Greek potatoes commonly served with most Greek meals also provide extra calories. Ask that part or all of your rice or Greek potatoes be replaced with a salad with the dressing on the side to save calories.


If you are concerned about calorie intake when eating out, ask the server about possible substitutions to make menu items more suitable for you. For example, a typical gyro has around 760 calories, mainly because of the bread and mayo, but you can make it a low-calorie meal. Ask that the filling of a gyro be served on a salad and request that the salad dressing be served on the side. Be creative with the menu to keep the dish low-calorie.

Doggie Bag

If restaurant policy does not allow you to make substitutions, order any meal you like along with a doggie bag. Ask for it when ordering your food so you receive it with your meal. Before you start eating, put half of your meal in the doggie bag and eat the rest of it. Don't wait until the end of the meal, because you risk being tempted to eat more than half. Even high-calorie meals can become lower-calorie options if you only eat a portion of them.

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Aglaee Jacob


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