How to find fast food friendlies

Healthy fast food ... sushi

IT’S Chinese food – not medicine – that can save your health, say docs.

New research says the spicy preservative that gives dishes like Peking duck and pickled tofu their red colour can cut cancer by two thirds.

And heart attack victims who took the extract in pill form were 45 per cent less prone to repeat attacks.

This amazing discovery got us wondering what other goodies are tucked away in our takeaways.

We all know we should watch how often we get take out, but can it ever be good for us?

Sun nutrition expert Amanda Ursell gives us the lowdown on the hidden health benefits of fast foods.

PIZZA

The tomato paste on your pizza is said to help beat sunburn and wrinkles.

Researchers believe that lycopene, the antioxidant in tomatoes which gives them their colour, is responsible.

Tomato paste is made from highly concentrated cooked tomatoes which boosts the level of the super-nutrient.

INDIAN

A night at the Indian needn’t be too calorific if you keep clear of creamy Kormas. Go for tomato-based curries with chicken, veg or lentils rather than red meat.

The turmeric used in many Indian dishes contains super-nutrient curcumin which is packed with anti-oxidants and is said to lower the risk of bowel cancer.

And as a bonus, spicy foods fill you up more quickly and boost the metabolism.

THAI

Thai women who eat a diet rich in sticky rice are less likely to develop breast cancer, according to a study at the University of Leicester.

Tricin, an agent in the rice is thought to be effecting in fighting cancerous cells.

Bok Choy, the cabbage-like green veg used in stir-fries, is packed with Vitamin C, fibre for digestion and calcium for healthy bones.

Fresh ginger is a great cure for indigestion and travel sickness.

JAPANESE

Sushi and sashimi are packed with omega-3 oils which boost brain and heart health.

Brown seaweed, used to flavour Asian soups and salads, contains a fat-burning compound called fucoxanthin that is said to aid weight loss.

And spicy wasabi is thought to speed up metabolism.

KEBAB

A typical lamb shish kebab is the least fattening choice and contains iron to boost energy and keep your blood healthy.

Onions contain sulphur compounds which are said to keep your blood thin and prevent heart disease.

Extra salad can also be counted as one of your ‘five a day’ fruits and vegetables.

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