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? ›

Steamed Fish and Vegetables

Takeout menus tend to offer a mild-tasting variety of protein-rich white fish, such as sole, and it's paired with mixed vegetables. The veggies add fiber, a key nutrient for digestion and heart health. If you have the chance to choose or add Chinese eggplant as a veggie, go for it.

What is the healthiest thing to order at a Chinese restaurant? ›

Steamed Fish and Vegetables

Takeout menus tend to offer a mild-tasting variety of protein-rich white fish, such as sole, and it's paired with mixed vegetables. The veggies add fiber, a key nutrient for digestion and heart health. If you have the chance to choose or add Chinese eggplant as a veggie, go for it.

What are three staple foods of Chinese cuisine? ›

Chinese food staples such as rice, soy sauce, noodles, tea, chili oil, and tofu, and utensils such as chopsticks and the wok, can now be found worldwide.

Is moo shu healthy? ›

Is moo shu vegetable healthy? Yes, it is! This vegan moo shu is made with vegetables, minimal oil, and just a few processed ingredients for a dish you will feel good about serving.

What is the most common staple in the Chinese diet? ›

The staple food in China is usually rice and wheat. The local flavors and superb cooking form the present famous Chinese Eight Cuisines from the eight provinces of Shandong, Sichuan, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan and Anhui, each of which has its own characteristics.

What does the Chinese diet consist of? ›

A typical Chinese's meal usually consists of rice, soup and three to four side dishes. Dishes are made of seasonal vegetables, fresh seafood or bite-size portion of meat or poultry.

What Chinese dish is least fattening? ›

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.

What is the most unhealthy Chinese food dish? ›

Worst: General Tso's Chicken

One order clocks in at around 1,500 calories and 88 grams of fat, and it delivers more sodium than you should get in a day. Other fried dishes to watch out for: sesame, orange, and sweet and sour chicken.

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.

Which Chinese food sauce is healthiest? ›

Thicker, stickier sauces like sweet and sour and sesame are going to be very calorie-dense, so limit those as much as possible. Stir fry sauce, however, is largely made up of soy sauce, making it a much lower-calorie option. Speaking of soy sauce, if you are adding some to a dish, choose the lower-sodium option.

Which Chinese dish is good for weight loss? ›

“Steamed dishes are generally lower in calories and also tend to have less oil. As a result, your meal will not only be lighter, but also easier to digest. A popular main dish is steamed chicken with broccoli. Alternatively, order beef and broccoli, with the sauce on the side.

Can I eat Chinese during weight loss? ›

Stir-fried and braised dishes are also usually diet-friendly. Focus on fish, shrimp, vegetable and tofu dishes to minimize your intake of saturated fat.

What's the healthiest takeaway? ›

'Go for grilled dishes over fried; chicken and fish over fattier meats, like lamb; tomato or veggie sauces rather than creamy ones; and steamed rice over fried,' advises Tilt. She also suggests avoiding sides and other add-ons unless they're vegetables, as well as eating mindfully and being aware of portion sizes.

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