BEST AND HEALTHIER CHINESE FOOD TAKEOUT ALTERNATIVES-min

BEST AND HEALTHIER CHINESE FOOD TAKEOUT ALTERNATIVES

///

All around the world, Chinese foods are one of the best, trending in big hotels and restaurants. In fact, there are selected places set aside for Chinese dishes only.

Eating has been made simpler and easier with Chinese foods. You don’t only need to enjoy these foods while seated at selected places offering them. They can be carried home, like in the case of taking away. Cuisines offering Chinese food takeout can be found in many places in the United States and around the world. However, the offered foods may not be healthy as they contain oil, sugar, processed additives, and salt. If you are craving Chinese foods, which other options can you go for? Fortunately, there are healthier takeout options you can opt for and which suit your taste, not forgetting your dear health. Peer into this article to see the healthier options for Chinese foods takeout.

1.      Try Steamed Dumplings

Chinese dishes are versatile, and the pockets of dumplings say it all. In Chinese restaurants, these dumplings are made by combining dough, seasoned meat, preferably pork, and vegetables, cabbages in this case. In many cases, dumplings are fried. But if you want to reduce your intake of calories and fat, you can always ask for steamed options instead. This option is low in calories, providing only 4o calories. It would help to avoid soy-based sauce, especially if you are sensitive to salt. You may dip your dumpling in the coconut-based sauce instead.

2.      Why Not Go for the Egg Drop Soup or Hot and Sour Soup

Another excellent option of Chinese food takeout is hot and sour soup. It is typically made by mixing chicken broth with eggs, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. The hot and sour bit of this soup is achieved by adding vinegar and other spices. Egg drop soup on the other hand, is a mixture of cooked egg and chicken broth. Just 240 ml of these soups provide a minimum of 65 and a maximum of 90 calories, making them very low in calories. To remain on the healthier side of diet, you may want to avoid the fried lo mein noodles used to top these soups.

3.      There is Also Moo Goo Gai Pan

Moo goo gai pan is made of stir-frying vegetable and sauced chicken with carrots, broccoli, water chestnuts, and mushrooms. It is a good alternative for Chinese food takeout because of the calories in lean chicken and vegetables. Moo goo gai pan is highly filling because the chicken is high in proteins. As per the Food Data Central of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) database, there is about 15 g of protein and 160 calories in just 216 g of moo goo gai pan.

4.      Ask for Beef and Broccoli

This is a simple dish made by stir-frying beef and broccoli topped with a light sauce. Why does it have to feature in this article? Well, this alternative for Chinese food takeout is particularly low in carbs but high in protein. However, one thing makes it blemish – the added cuts of fatty beef. This makes 217 g of beef and broccoli provide a load of 336 calories, 23 g of protein, and 23 g of fat. To avoid compromising your diet with a high intake of fat, you may instead ask for steamed broccoli served with the sauce on the side rather than stir-fried broccoli.

5.      How About Chop Suey

Chop suey is made by stir-frying eggs, meat, and thinly sliced vegetables served in a light sauce. The meat used here is usually pork, but some chefs go the extra mile to include chicken, tofu, or beef. Because chop suey is stir-fried, it is high in proteins from meat. Also, the vegetables make it healthier. As per the USDA database, 220 g of pork chop suey not toped with noodles provides 23 g of protein and 216 calories as well as 9.5 g of fat, although the restaurant versions tend to contain added fat. It is best to use a light sauce with chop suey to cut down your salt and sugar intake.

6.      Chicken and Broccoli Can Do Better

Chicken and broccoli take closely after beef and broccoli, made by stir-frying chicken and broccoli in a light sauce. If you are allergic to beef, chicken and broccoli may be a good option that is still loaded with protein. Database in the USDA indicates that 153 g of chicken and broccoli provides 145 calories, 13 g of protein, and 7 g of fat. As a way of limiting calorie and fat intake, you may ask for the steamed option.

7.      Here Comes the Seafood – Baked Salmon

Baked salmon is offered in many Chinese cuisines. It is a great option for takeout. Like many seafoods, baked salmon provides healthy omega-3 fatty acids, lots of high-quality protein, and virtually zero carbs. As per the USDA database, 85 g of cooked salmon with butter provides 21 g of protein, 156 calories, and 7 g of fat. You can pair your baked salmon with steamed vegetables as a start for a keto or low-carb diet.

8.      Moo Shu Vegetables

Plainly speaking, vegetables are a great choice for any healthier diet. As an alternative for Chinese food takeout, moo shu vegetables are prepared by stir-frying mushrooms, onions, cabbages, and pork. Keep in mind that the nutritional value of each moo shu vegetable serving may differ depending on the ingredients used. But a typical moo shu vegetable will provide 16 g of protein, 16 g of fat, and 230 calories in just 151 g, according to the database in USDA. To maintain a clean diet, you may want to use a light sauce and leave the pancakes that are often served with it.

9.      King Pao Chicken

This is a Sichuan dish made by stir-frying chicken with vegetables, peppers, and chili. It provides antioxidant selenium, protein, and niacin. It’s often topped with peanuts which provide heart-friendly monosaturated fats.

Conclusion

Chinese food takeout offered in many restaurants may not suit your taste and dietary preference. Instead of eating them the way they are served, you may want to ask for adjustments to lower fat or sugar content. This article has stated some of the best choices you can opt for as healthier Chinese food takeout.

Barbara Santini

Barbara is a freelance writer and a sex and relationships adviser at Dimepiece LA and Peaches and Screams. Barbara is involved in various educational initiatives aimed at making sex advice more accessible to everyone and breaking stigmas around sex across various cultural communities. In her spare time, Barbara enjoys trawling through vintage markets in Brick Lane, exploring new places, painting and reading.

Latest from Health