5 Healthier Hacks For Ordering Chinese Food

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Everyone has his or her favorite (totally Americanized) Chinese food takeout place. (Well, aside from those of you who legitimately do not like Chinese food, in which case we are so sorry.) And you’re probably well aware that Chinese food is typically unhealthy. Good news: it doesn’t have to be that way. You can satisfy your craving with none of the guilt. These five hacks will help you order a healthier version of your go-to dish without compromising on taste.

1. Go with brown rice…if you must have rice.

If you think about it, rice adds no flavor to your dish. It’s just a nice base for your meal and it soaks up some of the sauce. You don’t need it though to enjoy your food, but if you absolutely insist on having it, go with brown rice, which is healthier than it’s white counterpart because its whole-grain properties hold more nutrients.

2. Ask for the sauce on the side.

Arguably, the sauce is often the best part of the dish. It’s what makes us want that chicken and broccoli instead of just cooking chicken and broccoli at home. Unfortunately, the sauce is usually a big source of MSG (lots of the bad type of sodium) and it can contain added sugars, as well. That’s not to mention that it’s often caloric. One serving of the common brown sauce is 300 calories alone — and that’s without the food! If you ask for the sauce on the side, you can limit the amount that goes onto your food without getting rid of the flavor altogether.

3. Add extra vegetables to your dish.

This one may seem like a no-brainer, but adding complex veggies to your dish like broccoli and carrots will make your otherwise carb-packed meal more balanced. Also, you’re more likely to fill up on less if you’re eating a large portion of vegetables.

4. Swap your fried pork dumplings for steamed veggie dumplings.

You probably already know that fried dumplings are a big no-no (fried anything is a no-no) when it comes to your health, but did you know that the pork mixture in dumplings is also make-or-break for the healthiness factor? A good cut of meat can make the appetizer favorite not as bad for you. Unfortunately though, you can’t actually know what’s inside your dumplings or verify the quality of the ingredients. Veggie dumplings are the way to go for a lighter, less caloric option.

5. Have some soup before your meal.

Soup fills you up so you don’t indulge in too much of your main dish. The broth in wonton soup, for example, doesn’t set you back too badly at around 100 calories per serving, while eating a whole serving of wonton soup (with wontons) still only clocks in at around 210.