Fitsugar has looked into how much calories there really are in sushi. Hm. Sceptical.

But I know sushi is not so healthy that I like to believe, or more correctly some of my favorites sushi pieces are not that healthy… Many rolls and dishes are quite high in calories and saturated fat, and for instance one shrimp tempura roll (fried shrimp) can have up to of 508 calories… Good thing I am not on a diet. I love those things…

But if you are concerned with calorie count - there are some things to think of when ordering your sushi.

Healthy ordering tips:

• Steer clear of fried or battered foods, such as dumplings, tempura and spider rolls. There’s no sense in making fish unhealthy. When ordering at a Japanese restaurant, look for broiled, grilled or steamed items. Typically, soup and sashimi are low in calories.
• Avoid new-wave sushi. Be especially careful when it comes to rolls with duck, cheese or other high-fat ingredients. Also stay away from eel, which is high in calories and fat.
• Keep sodium down. Use less soy sauce or request the low-sodium kind. Also note that miso is quite high in sodium.
• Limit the extras. Mayonnaise, cream cheese and even a creamy Japanese dressing on the green salad can add significant calories to what you’re eating.
• Avoid the feeding frenzy. Yes, there are many good sushi choices, but try to stick to one or two lower-calorie rolls. Order steamed veggies, hijiki (cooked seaweed) or oshitashi (boiled spinach with soy sauce) to fill you up.
• Keep your food safe. Any raw fish or shellfish can contain parasites, their eggs and other disease-causing microorganisms. Moreover, fish accumulate mercury, which at high enough levels can damage the nervous system.

Sushi measures:

Again - according to Fitsugar - the spicy items tend to be higher in calories as the spicy sauce is usually mayonnaise based. Also, tempura (aka fried) means higher calories, so don’t go tempura if you’re looking for lighter fare. Finally, look for a lower sodium soy sauce, most restaurants have both options and the low sodium will greatly reduce your salt intake.

But when it comes to yummy sushi - can things be measured in calories?
Need a soft-shell crab soon…

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