The tantalizing smells and colorful decor of a Chinese restaurant enhance the dining experience, but those who need to control their caloric intake should beware. Some of your favorite entrees may contain more than 1,000 calories.
Calorie Content
Chinese restaurants serve several dishes made with chicken and beef. Some of the more common dishes include General Tso's chicken, beef with broccoli and Kung Pao chicken. The calorie content of these dishes ranges from 900 calories for the beef with broccoli to 1,400 calories for the Kung Pao chicken. One egg roll contains 200 calories, while a spring roll contains 100 calories.
Cutting Calories
Ask for your food lightly stir-fried instead of battered and deep-fried. You can also use chopsticks to pick up pieces of your food. Using chopsticks leaves much of the sauce on the plate and reduces the number of calories consumed in one sitting.
Healthier Options
Chinese restaurants do offer options with fewer calories. Steamed vegetables have few calories and contain essential vitamins and minerals. Steamed rice has fewer calories than fried rice. In an interview with ABC News, dietitian Jim White recommends looking for dishes that contain the words Jum, Chu, Kow and Shu, because they mean poached, boiled, roasted and barbecued. White recommends avoiding breaded and fried dishes.
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