Chinese Food Health Tips

by Merck — Whether you decide on Szechuan, Cantonese, or Hunan style, there are ways to translate your meal into something healthy.

You’ll find lots of fried foods on many Chinese menus, along with plenty of meat recipes and dishes made with eggs. Chinese food can be high in sodium, too. Fortunately, there are healthier options.

Here’s some food for thought before you choose:

Instead of Try
Egg drop soup Wonton or hot-and-sour soup
Egg rolls or fried wontons Steamed vegetable dumplings
Fried entrees Boiled, broiled, steamed, or lightly stir-fried entrées
Meat dishes Vegetable dishes
Fried rice Steamed rice
Lobster sauce (has egg yolks) Sweet-and-sour sauce, plum, or duck sauce (but watch the sodium)

 

A little of this, a little of that

You don’t have to eat till you’ve had too much, either. Chinese menus often have a lot to offer, and in large portions. So why not divvy it up? Order a variety of entrées with your companions—then you can try a little of everything. Oh yes, and you’ll probably want to ask the cook to leave out the soy sauce, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and salt.