They may also contain artificial colouring depending on the brand. Like other processed foods they are quite energy dense and therefore can add unwanted kilo-joules to a healthy meal like poke. If you’re making your own poke bowl try adding just a small amount of these or swap for pepita seeds or unsalted almonds for a delicious crunch.
Tamari almonds
Tamari is a wheat free soy sauce that adds a delicious salty flavour to almonds. Tamari is often marketed as a healthier alternative to soy sauce however it is still high in sodium and also contains MSG. Almonds are a great addition for some extra crunch and we’d usually recommend going for plain, unsalted ones from a nutrition point of view.
Coconut
While shredded coconut can add a yummy flavour boost, this is usually one of the ones we’d avoid as it does bump up the saturated fat content. It’s ok to enjoy occasionally and does add some fibre, however, overall there are better options when looking for crunch.
What are the healthiest poke bowl options?
You’ll be glad to hear, overall our dietitians gave poke bowls their tick of approval.
“Poke bowls are a great option. They are usually high in lean protein, heart-healthy fats from fish, avocado and seeds and packed full of fibre from all the veggies and wholegrains, plus loaded with vitamins and antioxidants,” they said.
Woooo. Now for the things to keep in mind. Ugh.
“Be mindful of your portion sizes. If you’re using rice or noodles as a base, stick to half a cup cooked and add cabbage or greens to bulk out the bowl. And sauces, remember the energy and fat in the mayo you add in can really add up so keep it to a small drizzle.
