‘Healthy’ Chinese restaurant/takeaway food

[Robmarriott]

I’m being dragged out on Friday for a Chinese meal with family for my mum’s birthday, I’ve not had Chinese for (literally, not figuratively) years. I don’t hate it but it’s just not my meal of choice.

At the moment, I’m trying to watch what I eat and not knowing what calories are going to be in the menu options is already driving me mad!

Is there anything I should definitely avoid? Or anything I should pick?

I just don’t want to ruin a week of healthy eating with the wrong thing but I’m rubbish at working out what’s ok or not without it being written on a label!

[21TonyK]

Its your Mums birthday and its one meal. It's food to be enjoyed as part of a celebration with family, its about who you are with not what you are eating.

[devnull]

Stir fried noodles with veg.

[ReaperCushions]

Generally, avoid anything deep fried (fat) and covered in sticky sauce (sugar).

As above, noodles with stir-fried veg is a good option.

For uber health, replace the meat with tofu (Or more veg) and go for brown rice over white (and certainly anything fried).

Chicken lettuce wraps are a go-to for me in this situation. Zero carbs and high in protein.

Also agree with the other point above, enjoy the evening... it's your Mums birthday, don't let the food choice dominate the meal.

[trickywoo]

Most places will do a chicken or prawn dish with mixed vegetables and sauce but nothing else.

I think that would be the lowest calorie option. You don’t have to have noodles or rice as well.

[zygalski]

...errm.
The stock-based soups?

[shakotan]

Beef/Chicken with peppers and black bean sauce.

[jak kez 187]

Yuk Sung I would say, essentially just minced pork in a lettuce leaf but tastes lovely

[red_slr]

Most places do prawns with ginger and spring onion. Have it with boiled rice.
Steamed dumplings as a starter, veg dumplings will be ok too.
The lettuce thingy above you can also get as chicken which is lower fat.

[ambuletz]

just a simple stir fried chicken, pork or beef with vegetables, eat it with rice. If they happen to have glass noodles (not rice noodles) then even better as they're practically no calories in them (although they might stir fry it in an oil).

[Ridealong]

Wonton Noodle Soup = 520-590 Cal

https://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/cantone...

https://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/wonton-...

[Alucidnation]

Cream of sum yung guy is quite popular apparently.

[227bhp]

You sound like fun, just stay in the car and eat some salad.

[Pothole]

Alucidnation said:

Cream of sum yung guy is quite popular apparently.

Som yung gai, FFS!

[Hoofy]

One blow out meal won't make a difference. Doing it everyday is why you're having to watch your calories. Just enjoy yourself.

[Hoofy]

227bhp said:

You sound like fun, just stay in the car and eat some salad.

Anybody? No?

[soad]

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/healthier-ta...

[ambuletz]

steamed fish is actually a really good shout.
eat that with plain rice, or not. just have it with stir fried veg. it would be very low carb/keto.

[227bhp]

Hoofy said:

Anybody? No?

Oh yes, Marjorie Dawes has changed the way a lot of people see or say dust forever, including me!

[thebraketester]

21TonyK said:

Its your Mums birthday and its one meal. It's food to be enjoyed as part of a celebration with family, its about who you are with not what you are eating.

True.

Green beans in xo sauce.
Morning glory.
Pak Choi with garlic.