Thai food is a wonderful blend of fresh and spicy. It tends to be light on fats, meats and sauces and relies more on vegetables, noodles and rice. It’s no mystery why it has become so popular.

Tips

• Aim for the lighter, stir-fried dishes and the fresh spring rolls.
• Steer clear of heavy sauces and deep-fried entrees.
• Ask that your meal be cooked with vegetable oil rather than coconut oil or lard.
• Choose chicken over duck, but limit meat, poultry and seafood portions.
• Limit dishes with coconut milk, which is high in saturated fat.
• Avoid soy and other sauces if you are watching your sodium intake, and ask that MSG be left out.
• Share portions.

This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 04/11/08.