The Best & Worst Chinese Food

Can Chinese Food be healthy?

I realize the food here is not like the food in China, where they focus on vegetables, tofu and rice, but you can make healthy choices if you enjoy eating Chinese food.

Here in the US, Chinese food is drenched in oil or deep fried and you find more beef and pork dishes being offered, rather than soy or fish.

Worst Choices:
> Crispy: If your choice includes anything 'crispy', it means it is deep fried and has more calories. Try instead stir fried or steamed

> Egg rolls: These are deep fried and fat saturated. If you love eating egg rolls like I do, try wrapping a napkin around them and let the oil/fat be absorbed.

> Spare Ribs: These are usually fatty pork ribs covered in sauce

> Sweet & Sour: No matter what meat you order this with, it is deep fried

> Fried Rice: This is really just fried white rice with added bits of pork and sodium. No real nutrients with a high glycemic index, it adds nothing but calories

Best Choices
> Soup: Researchers are raving about the soup strategy to control your weight. Eating a cup of soup before your meal, takes the edge off your appetite

> Chinese Vegetables: Bean sprouts, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, long beans, eggplant etc are great sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals

> Dim Sun: This is available with different fillings, but a healthier choice than fried

> Anything Steamed: This is a more healthy way of preparing foods

> Stir-Fry: Combined with veggies, shrimp, tofu, chicken this is more healthy for you. Remember to ask for 'light on the oil' or request your meal be stir fried in broth instead.