Chinese food is one of the most favored international cuisines that is found in every nook and corner of India. Whether you call it Indian Chinese or Chinese India, does not matter, but everybody like to savor the delicious taste. Indian Chinese food is not served only in restaurants but you can finds this international cuisine even at the highway food stalls, the handcart owners in the small lanes and mobile chowmein vans. You may even come across interesting and imaginative name of the Chinese joints like hungry eye, chopseuy, dancing stomach etc.
With the exotic menus and new tastes offered, many Indians have fallen in love with this international cuisine. The Indian Chinese food is a fusion meal prepared to satiate the taste buds of the Indians. The Indian favorite paneer is prepared using Chinese spices and is called Sichuan paneer. The Manchurians or the dumplings are also made with paneer or cauliflower so that it may appeal the masses.
Chinese food offers various healthy options as they are cooked using lots of colorful vegetables. Most vegetables are flash cooked in a wok and hence they retain their nutrients. Many Chinese food items are deep fried or loaded with sodium. By learning what to look for on the menu can help you choose healthier options at a Chinese restaurant. It is suggested that you should stay away from fried, crispy, choices as they are high in fat and calories. You should opt for steamed, poached, barbequed dishes as they indicate healthier menu choices. While placing your order always request for the meal to be prepared without MSG or monosodium glutamate.
If you choose wisely you can make healthy Chinese food choices.
Choices to savor
- Most soups on a Chinese menu are very low in fat and a great way to start a meal. You can choose from the clear soup, hot and sour soup.
- Steamed dimsums
- Grilled, stir fried or steamed fish/ prawns and chicken dishes
- Hot and sour dishes
- Stir fried vegetables with tofu
Choices to watch
- Deep fried or battered dishes like spring rolls, veg crispy, crispy noodles, chicken chilly
- Sweet and sour dishes as they have high caloric value
- Avoid sauces that are cornstarch based or high in sugars. Healthier sauce options would be jot mustard sauce, or oyster sauce. Although these sauces are lower in calories, they are high in sodium.
- Any dish sautéed in large amount of oil.
Health Tip
Do not order dishes described as crispy or sizzling as they are deep fried. To maintain the salt levels in your diet, request for only a little soya sauce to be added while cooking.
Well known Nutritionist, Shamika Kulkarni says, “Chinese food which is served in restaurants gives you lesser healthy choices since it mainly constitutes of refined flour, corn flour, monosodium glutamate and a lots of oil in most dishes. These contribute to more caloric intake but lesser nutrition. But one can make healthier choices such as steamed dimsums, stir fried veg which contains oil but high amount of veggies which provides fiber, steamed fish or sautéed chicken. Rice or noodles can be eaten with a generous helping of either stir fried veg or chicken or steamed fish in any sauce.”
Many Chinese restaurants serve fried crispy noodles as an accompaniment with the soup. Avoid eating these fried noodles as skipping a single serving can save at least 200 calories and 14 grams of fat. If you are watching your blood pressure it is advised to skip soup as they have high sodium content.
Considering all this, it is important to remember that eating out at Chinese restaurants should be an occasional affair. However for the best option possible, consider preparing your Chinese food at home. It is not only easy but also healthy as you know what ingredients in the food you are eating.
Even when you do go out to relish a Chinese meal, you can now make better choices. By choosing the right food menu, you and your waistline will be happy after a delicious Chinese meal.
