While dieters may think that Chinese food is a good alternative when looking for restaurant options, they still must consider all the calories that are in the prepared dishes. Sauces, coating and breading add an enormous amount of calories to the traditionally low-cal rice and vegetables in the Chinese diet. Food preparation also adds fat when meat and veggies are fried, sautéed and marinated.
Rolls
While one deep-fried spring roll with no sauce is only 115 calories, it also provides 4.5 grams of fat. The average egg roll has about 110 calories and 2.5 grams of fat.
Measurements
Eat small amounts at Chinese restaurants to avoid weight gain. One cup is a very small portion. Only one cup of beef chow mein carries 320 calories and nearly 20 grams of fat.
Combos
Combination meals may be inexpensive, but they pack on the calories and fat. A typical combo meal of spring roll, fried rice, noodles, lemon chicken and sweet and sour pork on one plate packs a whopping 900 calories and 40 grams of fat.
Soup
Chinese soup is a good alternative for dieters. A medium-sized bowl of wonton soup is only 240 calories and 13 grams of fat, while a bowl of Chinese crab soup carries only 160 calories and four grams of fat.
Fat
Most of the calories in prepared Chinese food come from fat. An order of stir-fry vegetables may only contain 19 grams of fat, while an order of kung pao chicken adds about 75 grams of fat to your waistline.
Dessert
Desserts in Chinese restaurants aren't as unhealthy as the other courses. One fortune cookie only has about 30 calories, and you'll only consume 160 calories from two almond cookies.
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