Here are some top tips to help you make healthy choices when you're eating Chinese food.
Always choose rice, bread, potatoes, pasta, naan or noodles as part of your meal.
Remember to include fruit or vegetables.
Limit foods high in fat (creamy sauces, fried foods, pastry) and added sugar (puddings and desserts).
Know when enough is enough. Never be afraid to leave what you don't want. If you have a smaller appetite, ask for a smaller portion with extra vegetables.
Give fizzy drinks and thick milkshakes a miss and opt for water, fresh fruit juice or ice-cold semi skimmed milk or plain tea or coffee.
Some types of Chinese food are lower in fat, salt and sugar and contain no monosodium glutamate (MSG). Healthier Chinese options are:
Chicken and sweetcorn soup
Beef, chicken, prawn or bean curd with green peppers or in black bean sauce
Dishes with lots of vegetables such as chow mein or vegetable stir fry
Boiled or steamed rice or noodles
Steamed fish
Chicken chop suey
Szechwan prawns
Try to limit these foods when ordering at your Chinese takeaway or restaurant:
Prawn crackers, dim sum, spring rolls and anything battered. These foods are deep fried and absorb lots of fat.
Fried rice or fried noodles
Crispy duck – the skin is high in fat
Soy sauce – it is high in salt
Chips – try a smaller portion or share. Opt for thicker chips as they absorb less fat. Avoid soggy chips, they mean the cooking oil wasn't hot enough and the chips absorb more fat.
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Here are some top tips to help you make healthy choices when you're eating Chinese food.
