After establishing that the “Americanized” versions of foreign foods tend to be less healthy than authentic foreign dishes, we can now determine which kind of cuisine is the absolute healthiest. The fact of the matter is many different cultures have nutritious ingredients, but one must be aware of certain harmful substances that also go into the dish. For example, Greek food happens to be the most healthy form of foreign cuisine, but the Mediterranean diet can sometimes have an olive oil overload (which is 120 calories per teaspoon), deep fried foods (which are also very high in calories), and gyro (which is very high in calories and fat). Pros of Greek cuisine include lots of fish, fresh fruits and veggies, and omega-3, which is in olive oil. But, of course, if Greek food is not for you, there is certainly still other healthy options.

Japanese food is the second healthiest international cuisine. Japanese food consists of a lot of low calorie protein and healthy fats. Brown rice, especially, guarantees a good dose of fiber. Conversely, certain Japanese dishes are particularly unhealthy. For example, Chicken Teriyaki and Fried Spring Rolls can be very high in calories, and it is also important to monitor one’s rice intake, as this can also be unhealthy. It is undoubtedly best to avoid these foods, but I will be the first to admit that it does not hurt to indulge once in awhile.

Indian food is another foreign cuisine that is significantly healthy. It is particularly famous for its potent flavors, and these also happen to have incredible health benefits. Turmeric and ginger help fight Alzheimer’s Disease, while studies have shown that other Indian spices can help prevent cancer. On the other hand, it is important to remember that foods made with butter or coconut sauce should not be confused as healthy. These, and other fried Indian foods, make up the “pitfalls” of Indian cuisine.

Another healthy form of foreign food is Spanish food. Because las tapas, which basically translates to collections of different plates of finger food, are commonly served for dinner, smaller portions are eaten at a time. This allows one to avoid over-eating. The only problem behind this is that sometimes people over-order because the size of the plates and the meals are underwhelming. They do not realize that all of those little plates soon will begin to add up, and what was once a nutritious meal becomes ridiculously unhealthy.

Lastly, there is Thai food. As a big fan of Thai, I can vouch that it is not only delicious, but also nutritious. Thai dishes consist of mostly fruits and veggies, but a lot of dishes have lean meat, seafood, and noodles as well. Like Indian cuisine, Thai food is prepared with turmeric, which fights inflammation, and ginger, which aids the digestive system. The only negative aspect of Thai food is dishes that are sometimes made with coconut milk, as this can sometimes clog one’s arteries.

Though food should be enjoyed, it is also important to understand what exactly is going into one’s body. Learning about the health benefits of these five ethic cuisines is critical, as this information can most definitely aid in making the most excruciating decision of them all: “What am I going to have for lunch?”

          Chinese cuisine is undoubtedly a crowd favorite in the United States, but Westernized Chinese food actually shares very few qualities with authentic Chinese food. Like other foreign dishes, Chinese food is prepared differently in the United States, and new ingredients replace the ingredients in the original recipes. The “Americanized” version of Chinese food generally tends to be more bland and less healthy than traditional Chinese cuisine, and since this is clearly not preferable, I researched possible reasons why this tinkering may have been done in the first place.

          America’s original reputation as “the Melting Pot,” is what prompted Chinese cuisine in the United States. In the mid-1800s, the Chinese immigrated to the land of opportunity in hopes of finding work, and they were able to make a living by opening restaurants and sharing traditional Chinese dishes. These foods were soon influenced by other American dishes, and were actually altered to suit Western tastes. Chinese cuisine became mainstream, and to this day, is loved by those of every culture. It continues to be considered by many as enjoyable, regardless of the fact that traditional cooking methods and ingredients are not used.

         In terms of ingredients, Americanized Chinese food focuses on meat. Meat is an essential in any Westernized Chinese dish, and foods like rice and vegetables are simply sides. For any authentic Chinese dish, meat is used, but it is certainly not the base of the dish. Also, it is rare for beef, pork, chicken, etc. to be used in a traditional Chinese meal. The Chinese tend to make their dishes with less conventional meats such as snake, pig ears, and jellyfish. The average American would scoff at the thought of eating any meal that included any of these foods, and since the average American was the ideal consumer, it is understandable why these less common meats were eventually switched out for meats that were more likely to be found on an American dining table.

         The “Chinese food” you order to your home is most likely cooked in a fryer, as most Westernized Chinese restaurants use frying as their sole cooking method. This is opposite to the traditional Chinese dish, which is cooked using almost any other method. The Chinese will stew, bake, steam, boil, etc. their food, and rarely bread or deep-fry. Fried foods often appeal to Americans; mozzarella sticks, french fries, and onions are beloved. It is likely that the Chinese Americans that owned restaurants began to use this cooking method in attempt to attract more consumers, and obviously, this worked.

         The most surprising thing regarding differences between Authentic Chinese food and Americanized Chinese food is the fact that some Western Chinese dishes simply are not eaten China. Adored foods such as “Sweet N Sour Chicken” are unheard of, but the Chinese have a passion for Phoenix Claws. This is probably the most extreme distinction between Westernized Chinese cuisine and traditional Chinese dishes, as these foods are both considered part of the same culture, but are eaten in entirely different parts of the world. It is clear that certain dishes are created based on the tastes of the consumers in the same area, but it would be interesting to see if our tastes could expand and be open to truly experiencing a part of another culture.