Chinese food, with its vegetables and small pieces of meat, shows all signs
of a healthy dinner-out option. But break out the chop sticks with caution!
Chinese foods can be loaded with sugar and salt. An order of Lo Mein can
have as much salt as a large pizza, and even stir-fried vegetables can have
over 2,000 mg of sodium: about a day's quota of salt. Kung Pao Chicken can
have as much as 76 grams of fat in an average serving—more than a whole
day's amount. Add to that mounds of rice and noodles, and youve got enough
food for a few days! For a healthier alternative, steer clear of deep-fried batter
coatings and choose stir-fried seafood and vegetables. Eat the meat and
vegetables, but leave much of the sauce behind. Choose an entree that has
double the amount of vegetables to meat, and scoop up only 3/4 cup of rice
(preferably brown, not fried or white). Finally, stay away from dishes based
only on rice or noodles. Good ideas: stir-fried shrimp or vegetables, steamed
vegetables, and steamed brown rice. Not so good ideas: fried rice, orange
crispy beef, Szechwan shrimp (breaded or deep-fried), fried egg rolls, beef
or pork dishes, sweet and sour dishes (especially those with fried meat),
lo mein, chow mein, dumplings, and Chinese spare ribs.
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