How To Eat Healthy At A Chinese Restaurant

If you are planning on enjoying a meal at a Chinese restaurant, you don't have to worry about blowing your diet. There are many options on most Chinese restaurant menus that are diet-friendly, and you can have your nice meal without feeling guilty about it later on. Here are some tips that will allow you to enjoy eating at Chinese restaurants without worrying about it being unhealthy or fattening.

Soups

One of the healthiest choices at a Chinese restaurant is soup. This is a great low-fat option, and if you request that it be made with no MSG or salt, it is also a low-sodium option. Plus, it will help to fill you up, so you don't end up eating as much of the fattier options later. Another bonus about having soup is that it is a low-price option on the menu.

Rice

Rice is probably one of the most popular side dishes at any Chinese restaurant, but it can also be one of the least healthy. Rice is loaded with carbohydrates, and not always the best option for those who are on low-carb diets. But, this doesn't mean that you can't enjoy this delicious food. It just means that you shouldn't go overboard with it. Just because there is more rice on your plate than anything else, it doesn't mean that you have to eat all of it. Whatever is left over can be put into a take-home box, and you can enjoy it for a couple of days so you don't feel like you wasted your meal. Just don't eat a lot of it all at once.

Sauces

It is best to stick with foods that don't have a lot of high-fat, high-sodium sauces. Of course, most Chinese food is going to have some soy sauce in it, which has a high sodium content. If you are ordering a meal that has a sauce, such as sweet and sour chicken, ask for the sauce to be on the side. That way, you can control how much of it you are eating by dipping the chicken instead of it being poured on top. The least-fattening sauces are sweet and sour, hot mustard and hoisin.

Special Consideration: Buffets

The Chinese buffet can be a nightmare for anyone who is dieting or trying to stick with healthy foods. But, there are still many options that you can enjoy, as long as you enjoy them in moderation. You don't have to pile your plate high with everything in the buffet. Instead, take small amounts of the foods you like. Don't forget to visit the salad bar portion of the buffet, where you will find fresh fruits and vegetables, which are always healthy options.

If you're ready for some delicious Chinese cuisine, head to a restaurant like Sun Wah Restaurant & Function Centre.


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