Eating Out - Chinese

Healthy Eating - Chinese

Authentic Chinese food is low in fat and high in nutrients.  Traditional dishes feature moderate portions of meat, seafood, poultry, or tofu stir-fried with plenty of vegetables and flavorful sauces.  Realize, though, that the Asian-style sticky white rice that accompanies these dishes ranks high on the glycemic index and should be limited.  American-style Chinese food tends to be heavier, fattier versions of the traditional cuisine, so it pays to peruse the menu.  These are some of the lighter dishes you might want to consider when eating Chinese.

1.  Broth-based soups like wonton, hot and sour, and egg drop

2.  Stir-fried combinations of seafood, poultry, lean meat, tofu, and vegetables (You might want ask for a minimum of oil to be used when prepared.

3.  Chop suey and chow mein (served without the fried noodles).

4.  Noodle dishes like seafood, chicken, or vegetable lo mein (Again ask for a minimum amount of oil to be used when prepared.)

5.  Steamed fish and vegetable dishes

6.  Steamed long-grain brown rice (if available).

7.  Foods cooked in black bean sauces, oyster sauce, hot mustard sauce, or Szechuan sauce
8.  Fortune cookies (One cookie has only 30 calories and 6 grams of carbohydrates.)