Health

Forbidden rice..and egg rolls

by Victoria Revay | March 22, 2007 at 10:00 am

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a day in the life of... [21 March 2007] - Lunch

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A consumer group has found that Chinese food is really not all that healthy for us. Not sure if I missed something there all these years, as I never ate Chinese food for the health benefits. Nevertheless, now I know exactly how much sodium, calories and fats I am stuffing into my face when I'm enjoying an egg roll. This study will most likely not act as a deterrent to our love of Chinese food, so here are a few tips recommended to make the meal healthier.

Look for dishes that are less meat centric and more veggie oriented
No deep fried stuff or dim sum
Hold the sauce
Limit salt
Share your meal

So, I think I'll see you guys at sushi...

Also surprising were some appetizers: An order of six steamed pork dumplings has 500 calories, and there's not much difference -- about 10 calories per dumpling -- if they're pan-fried.

The reports show that a typical battered, fried chicken dish with vegetables has 1,300 calories, 3,200 milligrams of sodium and 11 grams of saturated fat.

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chocolat_vanille

at 19:43 on March 22nd, 2007

Nicole Billard

at 07:40 on March 23rd, 2007

I still say bring-it-on... I'm with you! Who eats this stuff because it's HEALTHY??? Fried, with 'crispy' coating, and a sugar based sauce, with extra salty soy sauce! Right ON!!

calgaryumami

at 08:10 on March 23rd, 2007

Westernised 'Chinese' food:

It is not very healthy - no argument there -
BUT! Do not confuse Westernized Asian food with traditional cuisine!

North Americans seem to make everything super-sized and super-fried, or
slop on tons of sauces, condiments or butter. That is what makes the
'Chinese' food you eat so unhealthy. Traditionaly however, Asian food
is actually quite healthy, with loads of seafood and vegetables, and
very littel sugar, sodium or oil. Try eating traditional Asian foods, in Asian sized portions (that means NO all-you-can-eat-buffets) you might discover something new that you like, that is not so bad for
you! ...if you can stop yourself putting soy sauce on everything!;)

calgaryumami

at 08:40 on March 23rd, 2007

More Tips:

From the UPHS Nutrition Care Guide (University of Pennsylvania Health System)

When ordering
an appetizer,
keep in mind that
egg drop, wonton
or hot and sour
soups have less
fat and calories
than an egg roll,
fried dumplings
or spareribs.
Select foods
that are steamed,
broiled or roasted.
Words such as
coated, twice-cooked,
batter-coated,
marinated or crispy
suggest a food
is prepared in
a way that increases
its fat content.
Avoid crispy
chow mein noodles,
which are high
in fat.
Good low-fat
Chinese entrees
include: chicken,
beef, pork or
shrimp chow mein,
chop suey, moo
goo gai pan, and
stir-fried meat
with vegetables.
Request dishes
with as little
sauce as possible
or, better yet,
with the sauce
on the side. Sauces,
seasonings, marinades
and hot oil cooking
can greatly increase
the sodium and
fat content of
seemingly healthy
dishes -- such
as steamed vegetables
and fish. Ask
for reduced sodium
soy sauce if you're
watching your
sodium intake.
Duck and plum
sauces are fat-free,
but high in sugar.
Order steamed
rice instead of
fried rice. Eat
more rice and
less of the entree.
The rice will
fill you up, with
less fat.
To decrease
calorie intake,
share large restaurant
entrees with a
companion or bring
the leftovers
home to enjoy
at another meal.
For dessert,
have a fortune
cookie, of course!