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- Worst: Egg Rolls. Sure, there are veggies in the filling. But egg rolls are anything but healthy. They’re wrapped in dough and deep-fried. The result is an appetizer that packs more than 220 calories and 10 grams of fat in each one.
- Best: Vegetable Dumplings. Sneak in some cabbage or leafy greens with this starter. Just be sure to have them steamed and not fried. Dip them in chili sauce instead of soy, and you’ll cut back on sodium, too.
- Worst: Crab Rangoon. Crab serves up lean protein. But this appetizer has only a little meat. It’s mostly cream cheese, wrapped in dough and deep-fried to create bite-sized calorie bombs.
- Best: Soups. Wonton, egg drop, or hot and sour? Take your pick. Each typically has fewer than 100 calories per cup. Plus, the broth helps fill you up, so you won’t eat as much of the heavier dishes.
Chinese cuisine has more Vitamin K, and Vitamin C, however, Fast food is richer in Vitamin B3, Selenium, Iron, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B12, and Zinc. Chinese cuisine covers your daily Vitamin K needs 39% more than Fast food. Chinese cuisine contains less Saturated Fat.
People also ask
Do Americans eat Chinese food?
Are Chinese restaurants healthy?
Is Chinese takeout healthy?
Why do people still eat Chinese food?
- Overview
- 1. Steamed dumplings
- 2. Hot and sour soup or egg drop soup
- 3. Moo goo gai pan
- 4. Beef and broccoli
- 5. Chop suey
- 6. Chicken and broccoli
- 7. Baked salmon
- 8. Happy family
- 9. Buddha’s delight
Some Chinese takeout options, especially in American-Chinese cuisine, can be high in salt, sugar, and oil. However, you can still have delicious and healthy food by picking items that are baked, steamed, boiled, or sautéed in just a bit of oil.
Chinese food takeout is delicious, but as with other cuisines offering takeout, some of the choices offered can be high in salt, sugar, oil, and processed additives.
American-Chinese food, in particular, tends to be much sweeter and saltier than traditional Chinese cuisine and often features its own distinct flavors.
Luckily, there are some healthier takeout options if you’re craving Chinese food. Plus, you can always ask to have menu items adjusted to suit your taste. Furthermore, if you scan the menu, there are oftentimes a section that offers choices that are lower in fat, sugar, and salt.
Dumplings offered at a Chinese restaurant are pockets of dough filled with seasoned meat and vegetables, usually pork and cabbage.
They are often fried, but you can choose to have them steamed instead to cut down on calories and fat. One medium steamed dumpling is only 40 calories (1).
Hot and sour soup is made with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, eggs, and ginger in chicken broth. It also contains vinegar and spices, which add the hot and sour components to the dish.
On the other hand, egg drop soup is made simply with ribbons of cooked egg in chicken broth.
Moo goo gai pan is a lightly sauced chicken and vegetable stir-fry dish that contains mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, and water chestnuts.
Because it’s full of vegetables and lean chicken, it’s relatively low in calories. Furthermore, the chicken provides plenty of protein, making it a filling dish. One cup (216 grams) contains only 160 calories while offering 15 grams of protein (4).
Beef and broccoli is a simple dish of stir-fried beef and broccoli tossed in a light sauce.
It’s a relatively healthy dish that’s low in carbs and high in protein. However, it’s often made with fatty cuts of beef. One cup (217 grams) contains 336 calories, 23 grams of fat, and 23 grams of protein (5).
Chop suey is another stir-fry dish made from meat, eggs, and thinly sliced vegetables in a light sauce. It’s often made with pork, although some varieties may contain chicken, beef, or tofu.
Like other stir-fries, it’s a healthier choice because it’s made from a protein source and vegetables. One cup (220 grams) of pork chop suey with no noodles contains 216 calories and provides 23 grams of protein. It also contains about 9.5 grams of fat, and a restaurant version may have more fat added during the stir-fry process (6).
Chicken and broccoli is similar to beef and broccoli, consisting of chicken and broccoli stir-fried in a light sauce.
However, it’s a leaner option than beef and broccoli that still offers plenty of protein. One cup (153 grams) provides 13 grams of protein and only 145 calories. It also contains about 7 grams of fat (7).
Many Chinese restaurants offer a baked salmon option, which is a great choice.
Baked salmon is high in protein, rich in healthy omega-3 fats, and free of carbs. A 3-ounce (85-gram) portion cooked with butter contains 156 calories, 21 grams of protein, and 7 grams of fat (8).
Happy family, or triple delight, is a stir-fry made from vegetables and meat, such as chicken or pork, seafood, and vegetables.
It’s served in a thick brown sauce, usually over rice. Although its exact nutrition info is not available, happy family is high in protein because it contains both meat and seafood, while the vegetables add fiber.
Buddha’s delight is a great option for vegans and vegetarians. It’s a stir-fry made with tofu and steamed vegetables like bok choy, cabbage, and broccoli in a light, savory sauce.
Because it’s completely plant-based, it contains some fiber, as well as protein from the tofu. One cup (217 grams) provides 193 calories and contains 3 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein (9).
Jan 7, 2018 · 2. Beef and Broccoli. This classic dish gets a thumbs-up for its filling power. "I like beef and broccoli with brown rice," says Rebecca Scritchfield, R.D. "You don't need too much beef to feel ...
- Alexa Tucker
Aug 31, 2022 · 8. Rainbow stir fry. Rainbow stir fry is loaded with fiber-rich veggies. Yiu says that often it’s made with lentils, which are packed with protein, fiber, iron, magnesium and zinc. “Lentils ...
Sep 7, 2022 · Beef with broccoli: “I love the broccoli in this dish,” Retelny said. “I always recommend eating more cruciferous veggies.”. “Beef is a tasty, nutrient-dense meat that’s higher in fat than the lean alternatives like chicken, shrimp or tofu,” Frankeny said. ”But it definitely fits into a healthful diet, so mixing it with broccoli ...
Mar 27, 2024 · Yes, it is possible to combine American and Chinese cuisines to create fusion dishes that incorporate elements from both cultures. For example, a dish like General Tso’s chicken combines the spicy flavors of Chinese cuisine with the crispy texture of American fried chicken. 5.
