8 healthy meals to order when you're feeling too lazy to cook, according to a dietitian

• Keeping your plate balanced when eating out can be tricky, but it's possible, a dietitian said.
• Every cuisine contains healthier dishes you can choose from.

America may be the land of burgers, fries, and free refills, but countless healthier and equally delicious options are available when you're eating out — you just need to know what to order.

If you want to maintain a balanced diet while you're eating restaurant food, make sure your plate contains a carbohydrate, a protein, and "a color," or a fruit or vegetable, Jordan Hill, a registered dietitian and sports dietetics specialist working with Top Nutrition Coaching, told Business Insider.

She said that there are always ways to make cuisines healthier, you just need to make smart choices and be aware of the ingredients and cooking methods.

Hill shared eight tasty and nutritious dishes from popular cuisines to order when you're eating at a restaurant or getting takeout.

Vietnamese

Pho

Pho is a broth-based soup dish featuring rice noodles, which are high in carbohydrates, vegetables — such as carrots and bean sprouts, herbs — and a protein — such as chicken, beef, or shrimp. It's fine to order them with beef, Hill said, but if you're looking to cut back your fat intake, shrimp or chicken are leaner than red meat.

Even though the broth might be high in sodium depending on the restaurant, this is still a healthy option, Hill said, as it contains all the elements of a balanced meal.

Spring rolls

Spring rolls, or gỏi cuốn, are rice paper wraps filled with vegetables, rice noodles, and meat.

Similarly to pho, prawn or chicken would be a leaner option here over beef.

Japanese

Chirashi

Chirashi is kind of like a sushi salad. It's a bed of sushi rice topped with sashimi, which are raw cuts of sushi-grade fish, seafood, and vegetables.

Ordering this dish is a great way to ensure you're getting all the macronutrients (fat, protein, and carbohydrates) that you need, Hill said.

Edamame

Edamame beans are young soybeans in a pod that are typically boiled or steamed. They are an excellent source of plant-based protein and fiber, Hill said.

She said that while they're not a main dish, they can be a great addition to a meal.

Indian

Tandoori chicken

Tandoori chicken is a Punjabi dish where chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices, and cooked in a clay tandoor oven.

This dish is lower in fat than traditional Indian curries as the chicken isn't marinated in oil, Hill said. The yogurt also provides probiotics.

Chana masala

Chana masala is a tomato-based curry featuring chickpeas.

As a high-fiber, plant-based protein, chickpeas are a great option for vegetarians and vegans.

The recipe contains a number of spices such as cumin and turmeric, which have anti-inflammatory properties, she said.

Middle Eastern

Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh could be a good option for an appetizer or a side, Hill said. It's a salad made with parsley, tomatoes, mint, onion, and bulgar wheat.

While it's not super high in protein, bulgar does contain some, she said, and it's whole grain, meaning it provides fiber.

Hill suggested pairing it with shrimp or grilled chicken for added protein.

Hummus

Forever a crowd-pleaser, hummus is a great addition to any meal. The dip is made from chickpeas, tahini, and olive oil, and can be eaten with pita bread, vegetables, or anything else you like, Hill said.

Olive oil is a good source of healthy fats and is a key element of the Mediterranean Diet, which is widely considered the healthiest way to eat.