Since most friendly get-togethers are centred around food, when we follow a specific eating plan, we run the risk of missing out on certain social occasions. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Increasingly, restaurants are wising-up to the fact that many people follow specific eating plans, and most eateries won’t grumble if customers seek to customise a dish. Yet you may not wish to make a fuss, or you might feel rude asking for set dishes to be altered in order to meet your needs… Then there’s the problem of temptation; while you know you ought to have a simple salad, sometimes, a good wholesome dinner or lunch just can’t be ignored! That’s where Saba To Go comes in with a healthier alternative without compromising on flavour…

At Saba To Go, dieters can chose from a range of “Saba Light” (under 400 kcals) and “Saba Slim” (under 250 kcals) mains, starters, and sides. Designed with optimum nutrition in mind, these low-calorie dishes provide those counting calories with something seldom found elsewhere – tasty, satisfying options.

What is the 5:2 diet?

The 5:2 diet is the latest trendy eating plan. However, unlike some of its nutritionally dubious predecessors (remember the cabbage soup diet?), the 5:2 plan is supported by some of the world’s leading scientists.

Recent clinical trials have found that those who fast intermittently not only lose weight but enjoy an array of health benefits too. Lowered cholesterol, improvements in blood pressure, and improvements in insulin sensitivity have all been linked to intermittent fasting.

Following the 5:2 plan is considered simple and pain free. Each week, devotees eat normally for five and fast for just two days. During fast days, 5:2 dieters consume approximately ¼ of their recommended calorie quota, which is approximately 500kcals for women and 600kcals for men.

Eating out on the 5:2 diet

The great advantage of the 5:2 diet is flexibility. Since there are no cast-iron rules regarding when you should fast, you can work your fast days into your schedule.

If you like to eat out with friends on Fridays and Saturdays, don’t deprive yourself, merely fast on Tuesdays and Wednesdays instead. Similarly, if you and your other half don’t want to give up your Wednesday night takeaway or your Friday night drinks, simply fast on Tuesdays and Sundays.

Even when you’re not fasting, nutrition should be among your key concerns. Medicinal ingredients, such as lemongrass, coriander, chillies and galangal, combined with quick cooking techniques make Thai and Vietnamese food uniquely wholesome and health-giving. Conversely, many of the staples of Thai and Vietnamese cooking, such as coconut milk and coconut oil, have been used as weight loss aides for centuries, and Thai and Vietnamese people suffer from fewer instances of cardiac arrest and diabetes than those in the West.

Eating out on fast days

From time to time, eating out on fast days is unavoidable, which is why we’ve created a number of dishes containing just 250kcals. Saba Slim dishes include sumptuous butterfly tiger prawns, a wide range of nutrient rich super food salads and super soups, stir-fried veggies and stir-fried butternut squash with cashews.

If you’ve managed to save up 400kcals, choose from scrumptious black pepper squid,  gingergrass salad, delicious noodle and chicken broth, a traditional wok-fried  phad king featuring tiger prawns, tofu, duck or chicken, and a number of fat-burning coconut curries, which are served with rice of your choice…my preference being brown rice.

Remember, just because you’ve decided to give healthy eating a go doesn’t mean you should have to miss out on fun times with friends and family. Call up Saba To Go – and get stuck in!

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