So I thought I'd post this for you guys since I happen to read a lot of people's diaries and they write about how they feel badly for eating out at a restaurant and ordering something that they thought was bad for them. I found this stuff on a few different webpages, but I thought it would be fun to share so that the next time you decide to eat out, you can at least know what to order. I think I'll make this a weekly thing, and post up different meal options for you to try at your favorite restaurants.
What to eat when you're eating Chinese
appetizers
Be careful of the tempting fried noodles that sit on the table while you wait for your meal — it is easy to munch on these without giving it any thought and then, before you know it, you’ve packed on extra calories!
1 eggroll - 300 to 350 calories
1 mini spring roll - 165 calories
1 vegetable dumpling (steamed) - 25 calories
Hot and Sour or Wonton Soup (1 cup) - 110 calories
What to order: When it comes to appetizers, a good choice is to stick with soups like hot and sour or wonton soup, which are lower in calories and fat than many other appetizer alternatives. Steamed spring rolls or dumplings are better choices than egg rolls because they are not fried, saving you calories and fat. Choose steamed vegetarian spring rolls or dumplings instead of those stuffed with meat, which can save you approximately 50 calories per roll/dumpling.
Drinks
Make sure to drink lots of water (alone and in addition to tea, soda or an alcoholic beverage) since Chinese food can be high in sodium, causing dehydration and bloating.
Soft Drink (12 oz.) - 150 calories
Sake (3 oz.) - 115 calories
Hot Tea - 0 calories
Diet Soft Drink - 0 calories
What to order: Take advantage of no-calorie hot tea, a Chinese staple that has added health benefits. As always, water and diet sodas are good, no-calorie choices. Calories from alcoholic beverages like Sake, beer or wine can add up quickly so limit these choices.
Main Entrees
Chinese food is plentiful in nutritious, vitamin-packed vegetables so take advantage of the wide assortment available. Fill up on steamed veggies and leaner meats that are not fried or “swimming” in sauce. You can always request the sauce “on the side.”
Crispy Fried Chicken (1 cup) - 485 calories
Beef Chow Mein (1 cup) - 420 calories
Sweet and Sour Pork (1 cup) - 316 calories
Chicken and Broccoli (1 cup) - 280 calories
What to order: Good, lower-calorie choices include: steamed, broiled or roasted chicken, beef, pork or shrimp Chow Mein, Chop Suey, Moo Goo Gai Pan, and of course, steamed veggies. Anything described as crispy, coated, marinated, twice-cooked or battered suggests higher calorie and fat contents. Some restaurants even have a light menu which features steamed chicken, shrimp or fish with steamed vegetables, which will always be your best bet.
Sides and Desserts
It’s hard to imagine eating a Chinese meal that doesn’t include rice. However, orders of rice are usually extremely large so make sure to be mindful of portion control.
Fried rice (1 cup) - 235 to 370 calories
White rice (1 cup) - 150 calories
Fortune Cookie - 25 calories
What to order: Fried rice is basically white rice with added soy sauce and fried vegetables and eggs. Therefore, it is higher in fat and sodium. Stick with white rice and if that seems a little boring, add your own flavorful sauces that are low in fat (like sweet n’ sour, duck or plum sauce) to give it a little extra kick! Adding steamed mixed vegetables that are rich in fiber will help fill you up as well. Dessert is simple-- a fortune cookie is the perfect sweet ending to your meal, and they’re only about 25 calories each.
Here’s just one example of how you can make lighter choices (and how those choices can really make a difference) at your favorite Chinese restaurant:
"Lighter" Version
Chicken with Broccoli (1 cup) - 280 calories
White Rice (1 cup) - 150 calories
1 Mini Spring Roll - 165 calories
Hot tea/diet soda/ water - 0 calories
Total calories consumed for this meal plan - 595 calories
Full Calorie Version
Crispy Fried Chicken - 485 calories
Fried Rice (1 cup) 235 to 370 calories
1 egg roll - 300 to 350 calories
Sake (3 oz) - 115 calories
Total calories for this meal option - 1135 to 1320 calories
See, so you can have a healthier option when it comes to eating Chinese food. Now you know a bit of the facts so that you won't have to feel guilty if you decide to indulge a bit.