One of the advantages of eating Chinese food is that there are many nutritious options that are ideal for keeping weight down. Because the Chinese believe that food is also medicinal, they hold to a "long life" diet, which, according to the online website Chinese Health and Diet, emphasizes natural foods such as grains, fresh, seasonal vegetables, fish and some meats. Chinese cuisine has many delicious vegetable recipes for the main dish, which make for a light yet filling meal. The addition of soup and rice helps provide a feeling of fullness, adding nutrition without the need to consume meats and heavy sauces.
Vegetables
Steamed vegetables are a staple in Chinese cooking. Easy to cook and easy to digest, vegetables are full of antioxidants, phyto-nutrients and vitamins. Chinese cooking features many recipes where vegetables are steamed or lightly sautéed, and meals can always be made without sauce or with sauce on the side. With vegetables as a main dish, steamed fish or roasted meats can be added on the side if extra protein is needed. By consuming mostly vegetables, the body is getting a low-fat, high vitamin and anti-oxidant meal that helps shed pounds.
Soups
According to Healthy Chinese Recipe online, traditional Chinese medicine considers soups to be a highly medicinal part of the meal. There are three types of soup in Chinese cooking: Tang, which is thin with a fresh, salty taste; Geng, which is a smooth, thick soup usually made with corn or wheat starch; and Zhou, which is made with rice and has a sweeter taste. In Southern China, soup is eaten before the main meal, with the belief that it nourishes the spleen and stomach. In the North, soup is eaten during or after the meal to remove grease from the system and to assist digestion. Clear broths such as Wonton are light, nourishing, and easy to digest. Soups provide a feeling of fullness, which prevents overeating.
Green Tea
A staple in the Chinese diet, green tea helps to eliminate toxins in the body while aiding digestion. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, green tea is a stimulant, diuretic and helps to raise HDL, the good cholesterol, while lowering the bad. An anti-oxidant, green tea also creates thermogenesis, according to O-cha.com on Green Tea and Weight Loss. This means that heat is created in the body, whereby the metabolism is increased to burn calories. Drinking green tea throughout the day is an ideal addition to any diet regimen as it also helps to fight free radical damage.
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