17 Things Registered Dietitians Order When They Get Chinese Takeout (2024)

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5. Moo Shu Vegetables

Maxine C. Yeung, a registered dietitian, personal trainer, and wellness coach, and owner of The Wellness Whisk, likes to order this dish, which is typically served with hoisin sauce and thin pancakes for wrapping. "This dish is majority vegetables—a mix of diced egg and vegetables, such as cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and sometimes cashews, flavored with scallions, ginger and garlic," she says, adding, "It's low in carbohydrates if you limit the number of pancakes or substitute with lettuces for wraps."

6. Moo Shu Chicken

Glassman goes for the chicken version for the lean protein it provides. "But make sure to ask for light sauce," she says. "It's most likely high in sodium and (unhealthy!) fat." Yeung also points out that the hoisin adds unnecessary sugar.

7. Steamed Anything

"I usually ask for my dish steamed with the sauce on the side," says Scritchfield. "Steamed helps to reduce the oil in the dish, making it lighter in calories and possibly a bit easier to digest. You can get most any dish steamed." This works for veggies, lean protein, rice, you name it.

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8. A Small Soup

Eating a broth-based soup first can help you eat less later on, explains Alissa Rumsey, R.D. She prefers hot and sour soup, while Bedwell goes for wonton. Keri Gans, R.D., always orders egg drop soup. "A one cup serving is only 66 calories, so even though your serving from a restaurant is larger, the calories are still in check. It also provides around 3 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber per one cup serving." It's high in sodium, thought, which is something to keep in mind if you're trying to watch your intake.

9. Moo Goo Gai Pan

Entrees that come with plenty of veg are always good options, says Rumsey. "Moo Goo Gai Pan typically consists of stir-fried chicken with mushrooms and other vegetables, providing a balanced meal with just a light sauce. It comes with a lot of vegetables, so they are the main part of the meal, not just an afterthought." This is a favorite of Bedwell's, too: "It's flavorful and lean with chicken, mushrooms, and other mixed veggies and is not as high in sugars and fats as many other dishes."

10. Chinese Eggplant With Garlic Sauce

"I like Chinese eggplant in spicy garlic sauce because it's all vegetable! In addition to the eggplant, it usually comes with broccoli too," says Scritchfield.

17 Things Registered Dietitians Order When They Get Chinese Takeout (2024)

FAQs

17 Things Registered Dietitians Order When They Get Chinese Takeout? ›

Veggie-based items like edamame, lettuce wraps, braised bamboo shoots, or cucumber salad are a few other great options you can try. Healthy Chinese food takeout sides include steamed brown rice, sautéed or steamed vegetables, spring rolls, soups, and veggie-based items like edamame, lettuce wraps, or salads.

What is the healthiest Chinese food you can order? ›

We asked nutrition experts for some of their healthiest Chinese food dishes, plus their best menu hacks for sneaking in even more nutrients.
  • Moo Goo Gai Pan. ...
  • Szechuan Tofu. ...
  • Shrimp with Broccoli in Garlic Sauce. ...
  • Beef and Broccoli. ...
  • Spring Rolls. ...
  • Cucumber Salad. ...
  • Lo Mein of Chow Fun with Veggies or Protein. ...
  • White or Brown Rice.
Apr 29, 2024

What is the healthiest food from Chinese takeaway? ›

Veggie-based items like edamame, lettuce wraps, braised bamboo shoots, or cucumber salad are a few other great options you can try. Healthy Chinese food takeout sides include steamed brown rice, sautéed or steamed vegetables, spring rolls, soups, and veggie-based items like edamame, lettuce wraps, or salads.

What Chinese food can a type 2 diabetic eat? ›

Some lean protein choices include chicken, lean ground pork and fish. These proteins are often used in Chinese main dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken with Bell Peppers. Plant-based proteins, such as tofu, are also found in Chinese dishes. Tofu may be used as a meat alternative, providing protein from soybeans.

What Chinese food is good for high cholesterol? ›

Opt for steamed dumplings instead of ordering egg rolls and fried dumplings. Sidestep fried or breaded meat entrees. Instead, choose baked, broiled, grilled, sautéed protein sources-chicken, fish, shellfish, lean beef or pork.

How unhealthy is Chinese takeout? ›

If you pick unhealthy high fat, fried things and large amounts of rice or other simple carbs, of course it's harmful. But if you select nutritious foods with lots of steamed or stir-fried vegetables and no MSG you should be fine.

What is the most popular Chinese takeout dish? ›

General Tso Chicken – According to Grubhub, this sweet fried chicken dish is the most popular Chinese food in America. It's also unhealthy, considering that it is deep-fried and the recipe demands tons of sugar.

What Chinese food is low glycemic? ›

Your best bets for lower-glycemic Chinese meals are egg drop soup, tofu with vegetables, curry tofu or chicken, dim sum (chicken or fish with vegetables), barbequed pork with mustard and seeds, chicken or scallops with vegetables, stir-fried chicken, shrimp, or tofu with vegetables, Moo Goo Gai Pan, and shrimp and snow ...

Does Chinese food spike blood sugar? ›

According to some surveys, Chinese food is the second most popular takeout cuisine, trailing only pizza. But with a carb-heavy menu featuring white rice, noodles, and fried fare, a Chinese meal can easily spike your blood sugar.

What is the best rice for diabetics to eat? ›

What types of rice are most diabetes-friendly? The type of rice is important when selecting what to eat. It's better to eat rice that packs a nutritional punch. Brown rice, wild rice, and long-grain white rice include more fiber, nutrients, and vitamins than short-grain white rice.

What are the six super foods that lower cholesterol? ›

And some contain plant sterols and stanols, which block the body from absorbing cholesterol.
  • Oats. ...
  • Barley and other whole grains. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Eggplant and okra. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Vegetable oils. ...
  • Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits. ...
  • Foods fortified with sterols and stanols.
Mar 26, 2024

What Chinese dish is heart-healthy? ›

steamed dumplings or grilled fish, instead of fried dishes. have large amounts of vegetables, such as beef with broccoli. Chicken, General Tso's Chicken, Mu Shu Pork, or fried egg rolls.

What Chinese food is lowest in calories? ›

Some specific dishes that are particularly low in calories in Chinese cuisine include steamed vegetables, steamed fish, Buddha's delight (a vegetarian stir-fry), and moo goo gai pan (chicken with mushrooms and vegetables). These dishes are typically prepared with minimal oil and are packed with nutritious ingredients.

How to eat healthy at a Chinese buffet? ›

For instance, although they may be tempting, it's better to avoid dishes like crab Rangoon, fried noodles and veggies, fried meat, or any other similar choices. If you have the option, consider selecting food items that don't come with sauce or choosing a dish where you can pair a small amount of sauce on the side.

Is Chinese fried rice healthy? ›

Fried rice is not a nutritionally balanced meal on its own, and you should enjoy it in moderation as part of a varied and balanced diet. Adding a variety of vegetables, lean protein sources, and whole grains can help to improve the nutritional value of fried rice.

How healthy is authentic Chinese food? ›

"In general, traditional Chinese cooking has a lot of merit," says Cheung, a native of Hong Kong. Many staple foods, such as vegetables, tofu, and seafood, are all linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

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