Being Taken Out- Chinese Food Advice Needed!

frando
frando Posts: 583 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Due to my boyfriends work obligations he and I have kept missing each other - for nearly two months(!)- he said he'll take me out to a upmarket Chinese restaurant.

I have no idea what to avoid and what to go for, other then the obvious fried and steamed/boiled respectively, is there any dishes anyone could suggest? I'll be running around getting trains before hand so I will be doing a bit of exercise but hitting the gym isn't going to be on my mind!

Thanks for any help!
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Replies

  • smaschin
    smaschin Posts: 91
    Eat what you like and enjoy it.

    If you diet and torture yourself it will become a chore.

    treat yourself, you wont gain 10lbs over one meal.

    Train hard the next day and go back to your regular dietary eating and it will all balance itself out.
  • kstep88
    kstep88 Posts: 403 Member
    I usually get steamed vegetables and rice. I make sure to ask them not to add any oils or sauces. If you measure your own sauce or get it on the side it will help a LOT. If you are wanting meat with it... maybe shrimp? The main problem is how the food is prepared and it never hurts to ask if they can make it a healthier way. My new fav place has a healthy option where they will cook anything you want, how you want.

    If you like veggies, maybe try getting a mixed veggie plate with steamed rice. If you want the "chinese" feel to your dinner ask for an order of sweet and sour or see if they carry lower sodium soy sauce. It's totallt doable, just takes little extra work.

    Have you googled the place to see if they have a nutrition menu available?

    Good luck!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,419 Member
    Just go and enjoy your boyfriend, don't make this about the food.

    No matter what you order at a Chinese restaurant, you will get lot of sodium. Accept the fact that you will retain some water afterward, and that will reflect in your weight (you'll be up a couple pounds, but it will drop back off after a couple ays of cleaner eating and lots of water.)

    I try to avoid rice and fried foods at Chinese restaurants. Fill up on meat and veggies. If you will be ordering a large entree, ask for a To Go box as soon as you get your food, and box half of it. If you can't take it with you, "forget it" on the table when you leave.

    Your life is going to be full of these types of food opportunities. You will learn to work around them and make them part of a balanced life.

    Have fun! Enjoy your boyfriend, don't talk obsessively about food choices, and don't judge HIS choices.


  • grimsin
    grimsin Posts: 78 Member
    enjoy yourself, one meal won't kill you, just stay focused after :)
  • frando
    frando Posts: 583 Member
    Thanks for helping!

    Not seen it yet, the boyfriend is trying to find the name of the place and I'll do a bit of digging!

    I'm a veggie fan at least! I may spoil myself and get some beef as I love my beef, too!
  • LisaWilson2012
    LisaWilson2012 Posts: 118 Member
    You can't get any healthier than chow mein. From a WW point of view chow mein have the lowest points. Prawn is the best option.
  • kstep88
    kstep88 Posts: 403 Member
    Thanks for helping!

    Not seen it yet, the boyfriend is trying to find the name of the place and I'll do a bit of digging!

    I'm a veggie fan at least! I may spoil myself and get some beef as I love my beef, too!

    -- you could always go half and half. Get the veggies and your meat of choice. Whether you make it an off night or a mix, just enjoy the special time. I usually go healthier on the food, but it's just so I can have wine... (ooopsss) :) and the post about it dropping off in a few days holds true. Sodium..my worst enemy, that I love. lol
  • kstep88
    kstep88 Posts: 403 Member
    Chow mein is a better option??? I didn't know that... (no sarcasm, seriously didn't know it held a lower point value)
  • frando
    frando Posts: 583 Member


    Have fun! Enjoy your boyfriend, don't talk obsessively about food choices, and don't judge HIS choices.




    Sean, my bf, isn't much of a healthy eater, but he does alot of physical work and is a clear foot taller then me (6' 4") so he can eat what ever he likes and still look good xD at times he does feel a bit guilty eating whole bars of chocolate in front me but I told him I don't care as long as he doesn't tease me with it.

    We may also be eating with his friends so not as intimate as I'd hoped xD
  • koldjin
    koldjin Posts: 3
    My husband and I do Chinese quite a bit its the only thing both of our parents will agree to eat for "those special meals" I try to stick to the beef and brocolli w/ white rice its the best thing I have found and I am able to judge my portions on this by eye for the most part... you can find a generic on the foods list to get an idea of what your looking at. But make sure to just enjoy that time with your BF thats what this meal is about not counting your intake or worring about one meal trashing your whole life style. its ok to endulge once in a while. I find if I dont have something I really enjoy once in a while I struggle to no over do it when I do go out. Just be mindful when you order, the to go box is a wonderful idea!! Then when the ordering is over and the boxing up for later is done you can make sure the rest of your time and meal is about the important things you and him!!! I hope you have a wonderful meal and lots of great conversation!
  • pucenavel
    pucenavel Posts: 972 Member
    Bhudda's Feast at PF Changs is really low in calories. The entire dish (including rice) is only about 450 calories if you get the steamed version. The stir-fry version is only about 700, I think.

    Basically, go for dishes with lots of veggies, tofu or chicken for protein, avoid fried (and run from battered!).

    Sometimes I get brown rice, sometimes white - depends on my mood. Brown rice is better for you, but the calorie difference is negligible.
  • frando
    frando Posts: 583 Member
    Bhudda's Feast at PF Changs is really low in calories. The entire dish (including rice) is only about 450 calories if you get the steamed version. The stir-fry version is only about 700, I think.

    Is that an American restaurant? I've never heard of it! What's in one of these 'Bhudda's Feasts'?

    Thanks for the advice, making a mental note of it all but I will have a treat- Sean does want to make it a good night after all!
  • arielian
    arielian Posts: 200
    moo goo gai pan! chicken and a clear sauce with alot of veggies!
  • kclarkss
    kclarkss Posts: 69 Member
    ugg! I was going to have chinese for dinner tonight. I have weigh in tomorrow, so I guess I will have to figure something else for dinner tonight. (the sodium will get me if I have it tonight)
  • frando
    frando Posts: 583 Member
    ugg! I was going to have chinese for dinner tonight. I have weigh in tomorrow, so I guess I will have to figure something else for dinner tonight. (the sodium will get me if I have it tonight)

    have it tomorrow ;D
  • kstep88
    kstep88 Posts: 403 Member
    Bhudda's Feast at PF Changs is really low in calories. The entire dish (including rice) is only about 450 calories if you get the steamed version. The stir-fry version is only about 700, I think.

    Is that an American restaurant? I've never heard of it! What's in one of these 'Bhudda's Feasts'?

    Thanks for the advice, making a mental note of it all but I will have a treat- Sean does want to make it a good night after all!


    Yes, PF Changs is a chinese bistro, right here in America! :) Very good food :)
  • frando
    frando Posts: 583 Member
    Bhudda's Feast at PF Changs is really low in calories. The entire dish (including rice) is only about 450 calories if you get the steamed version. The stir-fry version is only about 700, I think.

    Is that an American restaurant? I've never heard of it! What's in one of these 'Bhudda's Feasts'?

    Thanks for the advice, making a mental note of it all but I will have a treat- Sean does want to make it a good night after all!


    Yes, PF Changs is a chinese bistro, right here in America! :) Very good food :)

    I shall bear it in mind when I eventually visit! I also need to visit a Cheesecake Factory and an Olive Garden until then I don't believe they're real places! Only things in sitcoms :P
  • sararoberts86
    sararoberts86 Posts: 2
    Last time I had a takeaway I chose noodles with beansprouts and chicken in ginger and spring onion ... it came to a grand total of 686 calories on MyFitnessPal :-)
  • SweetCheekszx0
    SweetCheekszx0 Posts: 478 Member
    I usually opt out for a small wonton soup or egg drop soup no fried noodles. Or vegetable or beef steamed dumplings all very good! With some soy sauce ;)
  • frando
    frando Posts: 583 Member
    ooh dumplings O:
  • tpittsley77
    tpittsley77 Posts: 607 Member
    Chow mei fun. Chicken or shrimp. Its rice noodles and veggies. Different than chow mein. I love rice noodles.
  • DOElston
    DOElston Posts: 102
    Omagosh! Chinese food is the BEST way to eat lots of veggies! Beef and broccoli, chicken and snow peas, roasted ginger asparagus...! As others have said, take it easy on the rice, you will get too much sodium (not bad if its just once in awhile), but you can happily indulge all kinds of delicious vegetables!!
  • gypsykitchen
    gypsykitchen Posts: 34
    I end up going out for Chinese quite often because my boyfriend and I both love it, and there are several really good places near where we live. One of my favorite dishes is stir-fried green beans (or whatever other veggies you like) with meat, like shrimp or chicken. I usually skip the rice, or just have a little bit of steamed brown rice. There's usually some sauce and oil on the stir-fry, but it's a manageable amount as long as you're not eating anything deep-fried. Of course, plain steamed veggies are an option too... But they're just not as tasty! I usually stay within my calories with stir-fried dishes.
  • ASDavis72
    ASDavis72 Posts: 77 Member
    I agree with the other comments about enjoying yourself, but if you must order rice get the steamed brown rice, and try to stick to lean meats any plenty of vegetables. Also try to save some food for later. Have fun
  • shelbyfrootcake
    shelbyfrootcake Posts: 965 Member
    Eat what you like and enjoy it.

    If you diet and torture yourself it will become a chore.

    treat yourself, you wont gain 10lbs over one meal.

    Train hard the next day and go back to your regular dietary eating and it will all balance itself out.

    I couldn't agree with this more. Perfect.
  • CarleyLovesPets
    CarleyLovesPets Posts: 410 Member
    Eat what you want.

    Then have a really, really good work out after or before.
    AND TONS AND TONS of water since well.. I've noticed that Chinese food is always crazy high in sodium!
  • rextcat
    rextcat Posts: 1,408 Member
    miso soup... and pritty much anything els on the menu, also chicken feet tast ok
  • emmeylou
    emmeylou Posts: 175 Member
    I didn't read all of the posts above mine, but I know a few people said to just go and enjoy the time with your boyfriend... and I agree!! A "break" from your diet once in a while won't hurt you! Why in the world would you spoil the first date you've had with him in a long time with worrying about food? What is your favorite dish? Order it! If you seriously cannot just have fun, then make little changes. For instance if you really want sweet and sour chicken, ask for the sauce on the side and just dip the chicken. You'll use a LOT less sauce then if it was poured over top.

    Have fun!!
  • shoomai1227
    shoomai1227 Posts: 83 Member
    All are good advice. Maybe get your meals steamed and ask for some condiments on the side: low sodium soy sauce, hot mustard and/or hot sauce to give the steamed meals a kick!!
  • SarahE1092
    SarahE1092 Posts: 83
    I will get the beef and brocolli but ask for the sauce on the side. So you get steamed veggies and beef, and you can dip it in the sauce, that makes it a little more low cal. Enjoy yourself!!

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