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Healthy eating in… Greece and Cyprus

Swapping calorie-laden food for healthier options, means you can indulge yourself while you’re away in Greece and Cyprus without worrying about your weight.

It’s great to get in shape for your break, particularly if you’re going to spend it on a beach – and our Summer Diet can help. But when you’ve gone to the trouble of losing a few pounds and toning up so you look great and feel confident in yourself while you’re away, why blow it by putting a lot of it back on before you return?

Of course you want to relax and indulge yourself, as that’s what holidays are all about. But you can eat well and have fun, while staying healthy and not undoing all the hard work you put in during the run up to your trip.

So instead of returning from holiday with ‘excess baggage’ round your waist, follow our fantastic ‘swaps’. Whether you’re staying in a hotel or self-catering, ‘foreign’ food can be full of hidden calorie traps. Our swaps show you how to stay on track in the main European holiday destinations.

First up, here’s our guide to healthy eating in Greece and Cyprus… 

Always remember…

The main thing to remember when eating in these countries is to pace yourself. Greek meals are lengthy and big, so avoid being tempted by all the extras and watch serving sizes very carefully. 

Starters orders (and nibbles)

Olives instead of pistachio nuts

While a few handfuls of delicious, but oil-rich pistachios pack in 300cals, olives have just 3cals each.

Tzatziki instead of taramasalata

Taramasalata gives you an astonishing 500cals per 100g bowl. Swap to yoghurt-based tzatziki with just 26cals per tablespoon for a really healthy pre-dinner snack.
 
Marinated calamari (squid) instead of deep-fried

They may be tasty, but deep-fried squid has 240cal in a small portion. A big, 100g serving of marinated squid, however, comes in with 100cals, including the tasty marinade.

In the main

Souvlaki (grilled pork kebabs) instead of moussaka

You can have about three skewers of grilled pork for 179cals, while a serving of the traditional moussaka dish has at least 460cals for even a modest portion and 700cals or more for a ‘proper’ serving.
 
Meatballs in tomato sauce instead of pasticcio (Greek lasagna)

Lean, cooked meatballs served in tomato sauce are surprisingly healthy and very filling. The red antioxidant pigments in the tomato sauce are good for your heart and potentially helps your skin to deal with the sun’s rays. One serving has about 150cals for six meatballs, compared to a serving of pasticcio with at least 600cals per portion.

Octopus in a wine sauce instead of meat rissoles

Octopus is an extra lean protein base for a filling meal. A main course of octopus in wine will give you around 300cals for a big bowlful, compared to 600cals for a couple of traditional Greek meat rissoles – and that’s before you have any extras like roast potatoes or chips.

Grilled sardines instead of fried chickpea balls

With a portion of fried chickpea balls totting up 500cals per 200g serving, six small grilled sardines have fewer than 100cals. Served with a fresh tomato, onion salad and freshly baked bread, this makes a totally delicious, omega 3-rish, brain-boosting main course. 

Just dessert

Greek yoghurt with a swirl of honey at 160cals instead of baklava with 250cals for a small serving.