How to Eat Healthier Greek Food

Authentic Greek food is delicious, rustic, and filling. But extra toppings and fillings can cancel out the goodness from the food, such as heavy, full-fat Greek yogurt and feta cheese. This article will offer ways to enjoy healthier Greek food without compromising on taste.

Go Greek without the Feta

Traditional Greek and Greek-Cypriot cheeses such as Feta and Halloumi are cured in a heavy brine solution, making the cheeses very salty. They are crumbly cheeses made from goat and sheep's milk. Feta is used in a variety of traditional Greek dishes such as Tiropita, Spanakopita and Greek salad. Many dishes can actually stand alone without Feta or Halloumi cheeses and one such meal would be Greek salad. There is no hard and fast rule that says you must add Feta cheese to a Greek salad. It will not lose any of its authenticity if you omit it. Keep the olives, onion, tomato and pepper, but remove the Feta. People with high blood pressure should avoid over indulging in Feta cheese.

Use Plain Natural Yogurt

Greek yogurt is not a sugary, dessert type yogurt that Americans are accustomed to. Rather, it is a full-fat, thick, sour yogurt made from ewe's milk that is not as readily available in America as it is in Europe. It is used as a condiment in much the same way as one might use ketchup or mustard. If you want to still use yogurt as a condiment with your meal, use a plain, low-fat natural yogurt. It will not taste exactly the same, but it will be a healthier alternative.

Serve Less Meat

If you have ever seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding you will have gained an insight into how Greek families operate. Food is central to all Greek gatherings and meat is considered an absolute staple each and everyday, while vegetarians are ribbed about not eating "properly". Lamb, beef and chicken feature heavily in many Greek meals such as Moussaka, Souvlaki, and Avgolemoni soup.

In order to enjoy the comforts of home cooked Greek cuisine, but with less fat, you will have to learn to adapt some dishes. Try using soya mince in place of minced beef or lamb and serve more vegetables with the main meal. Serving less meat will help reduce your cholesterol and fat intake.