Chinese Food Survival Guide

Chinese Food Survival Guide

Some helpful hints when it comes to eating your Chinese food.

**USE the chopsticks.  It may get frustrating but it will keep you from shoveling the food into your mouth.

** Order your dishes steamed, with sauce on the side.  Dip into the sauce, don’t pour on top.

** Load up on veggies vs. rice!

**If you’re going to eat rice- BROWN is BETTER. Brown rice is an excellent source of dietary fiber.  White rice is an excellent source of EMPTY calories.

Stick with these!

Steamed Veggie Dumplings (300 calories, 8g fat)

Buddha’s Feast (200 calories, 1.5 g fat)

Moo Goo Gai Pan (400 calories, 10 g fat)

Steamed Shrimp & Broccoli (200 calories, 2.5 g fat)

Beware!

If your meal is swimming in thick sauce, just that gooey sauce alone can account for 200-300 calories and 5-20 grams of fat.  Do yourself a favor and order all sauces on the side.

FYI:  Just how fatty is typical Chinese food?

Kung Pao Pork can have up to 700 calories and 53 grams of fat per serving

Even the side dishes are loaded!!  One egg roll typically has 350 calories and 15 grams of fat.  Fried rice can contain up to 500 calories and 20 grams of fat per serving.

The worst by far?  Egg Foo Yung and Sweet and Sour Duck.  Each can easily exceed 1,000 calories and 80 grams of fat per order!!!!! Yikes!

To Sum it UP:

When it comes to Chinese food:

DO start of your Chinese chowfest with some soup.  The average small serving of egg drop, wonton, or hot and sour soup will only be about 100 calories and help fill you up prior to your main dish.

DON’T indulge in those fried chow mein noodles or wonton crisps.  They add tons of fat and calories.

DO avoid dishes that are breaded, fried, or coated in flour.  Not only does it weigh down your plate—it will weigh you down too!

DON’T think all veggies are your friend.  Broccoli trees are really good at sucking up and holding on to oil and fatty sauces.

Craving something SWEET at the end of your meal?

SURE:  fortune cookies!  With just 25 fat free calories these are an awesome way to end your meal. 

NO THANKS:  Those crazy almond cookies have about 85 calories and 5 grams of fat.  They don’t even taste that good- just say no.