Although some takeout options at Chinese restaurants are deemed unhealthy, there are healthy choices as well. Stir-fries are a great option because they contain protein from meat or tofu, as well as vegetables, which add fiber and nutrients.
The problem is most dishes are loaded with artery-clogging oils and sugary sauces—not to mention a flavor enhancer called monosodium glutamate (MSG), which can spike your hunger. The average Chinese takeout dish can easily pack in more than a day's worth of calories, fat, and sodium.
Anything that's battered or marked as crispy on the menu means it's deep-fried, so it should be avoided. The NHS advises to watch out for starters such as prawn crackers and spring rolls, because these are generally deep-fried. Sweet and sour pork will be high in fat too.
That being said, Chinese food, when ordered consciously and intentionally, can actually be filled with muscle-building protein and filling, fiber-rich vegetables.” What's more, she says, it can actually be a healthier alternative to a lot of other fast food (like burgers and fries).
A TYPICAL Chinese takeaway meal of vegetable spring rolls, sweet and sour chicken and a portion of egg fried rice clocks up a whopping 2,184 calories -- more energy than an average adult should consume in an entire day.
Healthier choices include steamed brown rice, sautéed or steamed vegetables, spring rolls, or soups like egg drop soup or hot and sour soup. Veggie-based items like edamame, lettuce wraps, braised bamboo shoots, or cucumber salad are a few other great options you can try.
Additionally, many of the dishes can also be cooked using low-calorie techniques, such as steaming instead of frying. If you're trying to lose weight, then a Chinese dish can be the ideal choice, whilst still providing you with plenty of flavors.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer often added to restaurant foods, canned vegetables, soups, deli meats and other foods.
Chinese food and soups contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) as the main addictive ingredient. A sensitive individual may suffer from headache, giddiness, sweating, abdominal pain, and urticaria within a few hours of consumption of MSG.
Yes it is OK to have takeaways once a while. It allow you to stick to your low calorie diet plan in the longer run without getting bored. It also to some extent prevents your metabolism from falling down while following a low calorie diet.
Fried chicken isn't just high in fat, but it's covered in a deep-fried batter which is extremely high in calories. Pizza, while a classic favourite, is often high in fat and salt, and some popular garlic and herb dipping sauces contain almost 700 calories!
Asian menus typically contain many heart-friendly ingredients. But the preparation may be high in fat and include not-so-healthy additives. Try these tips for health-conscious ordering: Opt for steamed dumplings instead of ordering egg rolls and fried dumplings.
Thai cuisine often tops the list of healthy takeaways. Unlike Chinese food, which is often high in sugar and salt, Thai cooking uses fresh herbs and spices to add flavour, while also maintaining a focus on fresh vegetables and good quality meat - meaning dishes are generally lower in calories and fat.
The ingredients used by Chinese chefs to cook dishes are fantastic. Herbs and spices included in Chinese cuisine make each dish taste like heaven. We also can't forget about all the delicious types of sauces that make the dishes mouth-watering.
➢ A typical Chinese takeaway, consisting of a portion of vegetable spring rolls and sweet and sour chicken with egg fried rice, provides approximately 2,184 calories (109 per cent of the adult GDA for energy), 74 grams of total fat (106 per cent of the adult GDA for total fat), 14 grams of saturated fat (70 per cent of ...
Here's the good news: MSG contains two-thirds less the amount of sodium compared to table salt, so if you're looking to lower your sodium intake, reaching for MSG to flavor your food can help you eat less sodium.
The lack of satiety accusation is usually aimed at American Chinese food with monosodium glutamate (MSG) often targeted as a culprit.
MSG is used in cooking as a flavor enhancer with an umami taste that intensifies the meaty, savory flavor of food, as naturally occurring glutamate does in foods such as stews and meat soups.
Chicken chow mein is a lower-fat option that contains about 17 grams of fat, of which about 3 grams are saturated. Steamed shrimp with vegetables is another low-fat option. Chop suey, moo goo gai pan and stir-fried meats are additional options that are comparatively low in fat.
Asian food on the whole is much more healthy than Western cuisine. With the lack of dairy, fat and additives, along with a focus on zingy flavour and fresh ingredients, it's easy to find healthy options on any Asian-inspired menu.
In addition to being quick and easy, stir-frying is also healthy. It results in tender-crisp vegetables that retain more nutrients than if they were boiled. And since stir-frying requires only a small amount of oil, the fat content is low.
Pizza has 12 times more Vitamin B1 than Chinese cuisine. Pizza has 0.39mg of Vitamin B1, while Chinese cuisine has 0.033mg. Chinese cuisine is lower in Saturated Fat.