The Story on Nori: Can Sushi Make You Fat?

Sushi is a delicious, satisfying and typically light meal, right? Well, not always.

It's definitely delicious (ask Jeremy Piven -- the guy was nearly addicted and had mercury poisoning from it!), but it's not always so light. In fact, just one tantalizing shrimp tempura roll can ring in at 21 grams of fat; an eel and avocado roll, 17g.

It's these more tricked-out variations (I daresay not too many Japanese eat anything called a "volcano roll") on sushi where the pendulum swings from healthy and clean (sashimi and nigiri) to hefty rolls covered in a mound of crunchy fried bonito flakes and mayo-based spicy sauces.

Men's Health magazine compiled nutritional values for some of the most popular rolls (still wondering how cream cheese ever got into sushi, but maybe that's just me). The good news is that many of them are high in essential fatty acids: hearty healthy omega 3s from the oily fish like salmon and eel. The flip side is that they can be calorically high and fattening, especially since many of us rarely stop at just one roll. Men's Health recommends a bowl of miso soup plus a single order of something like, say, a rainbow roll for a healthier take on dinner. Or, if you opt for the eel and avo roll, go with only one and maybe take a few sashimi on the side.

Then again, if you really enjoy your sushi, and it's the rare night out you get it, then just roll with it, and get those chopsticks ready!  In terms of artery-clogging fat, sushi is still a better (and sexier) alternative to hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks and chicken wing.

Ichiban indeed!

Photo: Roberto Tostes@sxc.hu