Lightest chinese food?

I'm thinking the same thing..one meal doesn't hurt in moderation. If it's a buffet just portion control.

I love Chinese steamed veggies, with steamed rice, and teriyaki chicken, or garlic shrimp. Soups are usually a good bet for watching calories, but the ones at Chinese restaurants tend to be loaded with sodium. You can also ask for lots if veggies if you order a stir fry. They do t usually mind giving you more veggies and less meat. If your boyfriend doesn't mind, you could share two enters, one with a lot of veggies an the other something fried. That way you both get variety. (I learned that trick from a friend on here.)

It's probably the noodles that make it so calorie-heavy, as they are usually fried. Since you're vegetarian, you're good with lots of veggies and even tofu. Look for something with steamed rice instead of the noodles. Maybe they will sub the rice for noodles in a dish you want. Also, Chinese has a lot of sodium in the sauces usually so drink lots of water!

I work in a Chinese and get a free meal each night - pretty much everything in a Chinese is going to be fried in a wok or deep fried so it's hard to find a healthy option. Go for something that isn't battered, go for something in gravy or with the sauce seperate (as all the sauces are absolutely loaded with sugar and/or salt).

I usually opt for Chicken and mushroom - it's unbattered chicken breast, comes in gravy with mushrooms and onions (and peas that I ask to be added) and a couple of scoops of boiled rice.

edit: Doh just rememebered you said you were vegetarian! I am not sure what to suggest in the vegetarian options then - probably mushroom chop suey.

As an asian-american kid, I tend to avoid americanized chinese chain restaurants. If you're trying to eat healthy there, ask if they have an authentic menu (one separate from the typical kung pao chicken, moo goo gai pan, etc). Typically they'll offer some light yet really flavorful noodle soups. Veggie fried rice should be fine too, in moderation.

The Weight Watchers site has this comparison of different Chinese foods. Basically, lower points values mean lower calories/more nutritional value (i.e., for a 100 calorie chicken breast and a 100 calorie snack pack, the chicken breast would have lower points). Hope this helps!

Four: Has a PointsPlus™ value of:
Steamed pork dumplings 7
Steamed shrimp dumplings 5
Steamed vegetable dumplings 4

One cup of: Has a PointsPlus value of:
Wonton soup (with 4 wontons) 5
Hot and sour soup 3
Egg drop soup 1

One cup of: Has a PointsPlus value of:
Orange-ginger beef 15
Beef lo mein 10
Beef and broccoli 4

One cup of: Has a PointsPlus value of:
General Tso's chicken 17
Sweet and sour chicken 11
Chinese vegetables with chicken 5

One cup of: Has a PointsPlus value of:
Kung pao beef 12
Kung pao shrimp 10
Kung pao chicken 9

One cup of: Has a PointsPlus value of:
Pork lo mein 9
Pork chow fun 9
Sesame noodles 7

thank you so much for all the messages!
I have done a lot of cardio today and been good with saving calories for later on.
I know it might sound weird for some people being worried about a single meal, it's silly maybe but for me it's more about a healthy lifestyle, not weight loss. I simply had no idea how unhealthy chinese food was until I did my research!
Also sharing opinions and tips gives a lot of confidence to make the right choices. It's always a great thing knowing that there are others too who think about these things.

Chinese food is not unhealthy, although I probably wouldn't qualify most North American Chinese restaurants as Chinese.

I absolutely loathe rice so I'd just order what I want and fill half of my plate with vegetables. Anything extra I'd have packed up.

thank you so much for all the messages!
I have done a lot of cardio today and been good with saving calories for later on.
I know it might sound weird for some people being worried about a single meal, it's silly maybe but for me it's more about a healthy lifestyle, not weight loss. I simply had no idea how unhealthy chinese food was until I did my research!
Also sharing opinions and tips gives a lot of confidence to make the right choices. It's always a great thing knowing that there are others too who think about these things.

Chinese food is not unhealthy, although I probably wouldn't qualify most North American Chinese restaurants as Chinese.

This. High calorie doesn't equal unhealthy, and low calorie doesn't equal healthy.

I know this is too late for last night, but maybe it can help you for future reference. While high calorie does not mean unhealthy, authentic Chinese food is not particularly good for you if you are trying to lose weight. Their cooking methods involve a lot of frying and boiling so most of the nutrients are drained from the veggies and everything tends to be covered in sauces that are thickened with corn starch. Authentic food is a little better for you, steamed snow peas, bok choy, and yu choy, but even when done traditionally, they are generally covered in sesame oil or butter. Every restaurant tends to have a standard white-centric menu, but there are usually a few dishes on there that are authentic and what the staff make themselves. Virtually all meat and veggies are fried in a wok, but some regional style Chinese will have grilled lamb/ beef. Seafood options also tend to be more authentic and healthier. If they offer steamed fish, that's your best possible meat option. Best option is to be honest with your waiter and ask them what they would recommend for diet food.
That being said, in all honesty, my Chinese family and friends all switch to eating Japanese or Korean style food when we want to lose weight. There are far more fresh veggies, probiotic rich foods and low-cal options in those cuisines. Especially when looking at European or North American Chinese restaurants. A really nice North American compromise is to try Vietnamese food. Those restaurants have many of the same options, but with lighter sauce, less oil and lighter cooking methods.
Otherwise, I do what you did, when I know I am going to be having (what we jokingly call because of all the grease) "Dirty Chinese food", just set aside a good amount of calories, cut back on your rice and focus your meal around non-breaded meats and steamed veggies. Happy eating = )

Hi everyone,

I have a bit of a strange worry. I am going for chinese with my boyfriend and his friends tonight. I am asking your help so that I don't end up ordering a 1,000 calorie dinner! I'm a vegetarian so I usually just go for a veggie chow mein but after doing my research it looks like one of the worst choises!

If you eat eggs, egg foo young is pretty tits...

I always get wonton soup and sushi. I've found those are the lowest cal chinese options. Veggies are always good, just beware of the sugary sauces they cook them in. And go with white rice instead of fried, if you want rice! The biggest thing to watch out for with chinese food, as with most foods, are the sauces. Good luck!

Chinese sushi....yum.

Dont let calorie numbers scare you...Not all high numbers calories are bad. For one, having a "cheat day" after a long time of discipline will never hurt you. Also, not all calories are bad calories, if you are vegan then youa re definitely good lol. As long as there are healthy calorie easy to digest with some high quality H2O you are good to go. Never starve yourself or let calories keep you out of social events.