12 Low Calorie Chinese Meals To Order

When it comes to ordering Chinese food, it's easy to get caught up in the rich and savory flavors, but many traditional dishes can be high in calories. However, with a little knowledge and planning, you can enjoy delicious and low-calorie Chinese meals. Here are 12 options to consider, along with their nutritional information and tips for making them even healthier.

Introduction to Low-Calorie Chinese Options

Chinese cuisine offers a wide variety of dishes that can be adapted to suit a low-calorie diet. By focusing on vegetable-based dishes, lean proteins, and whole grains, you can enjoy the flavors of China without compromising your dietary goals. Steamed dishes are a great place to start, as they are typically low in calories and rich in nutrients. Stir-fries can also be a healthy option, as long as you choose lean proteins and plenty of vegetables.

Low-Calorie Chinese Meal Options

Here are 12 low-calorie Chinese meals to order, along with their approximate calorie counts and nutritional information:

1. Steamed Dumplings (200-300 calories per serving): These dumplings are filled with vegetables and lean meats, making them a healthy and low-calorie option.
2. Vegetable Lo Mein (300-400 calories per serving): This stir-fry dish is made with a variety of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grain noodles.
3. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry (250-350 calories per serving): This classic Chinese dish is made with lean chicken, broccoli, and a small amount of oil.
4. Egg Foo Young (200-300 calories per serving): This omelette-style dish is made with eggs, vegetables, and lean meats, making it a healthy and low-calorie option.
5. Steamed Fish with Ginger and Scallions (150-250 calories per serving): This dish is made with lean fish, ginger, and scallions, making it a low-calorie and flavorful option.
6. Vegetable Spring Rolls (100-200 calories per serving): These rolls are filled with shredded vegetables and lean meats, making them a healthy and low-calorie snack.
7. Chicken and Mushroom Stir-Fry (250-350 calories per serving): This dish is made with lean chicken, mushrooms, and a variety of vegetables, making it a healthy and low-calorie option.
8. Wonton Soup (150-250 calories per serving): This soup is made with lean pork or chicken, vegetables, and whole grain noodles, making it a low-calorie and comforting option.
9. Steamed Bok Choy with Garlic (50-100 calories per serving): This dish is made with steamed bok choy, garlic, and a small amount of oil, making it a low-calorie and flavorful option.
10. Shrimp and Vegetable Stir-Fry (200-300 calories per serving): This dish is made with lean shrimp, a variety of vegetables, and a small amount of oil, making it a healthy and low-calorie option.
11. Chicken and Snow Peas Stir-Fry (250-350 calories per serving): This dish is made with lean chicken, snow peas, and a variety of vegetables, making it a healthy and low-calorie option.
12. Vegetable and Tofu Stir-Fry (200-300 calories per serving): This dish is made with a variety of vegetables, tofu, and a small amount of oil, making it a low-calorie and flavorful option.

Dish	Approximate Calories per Serving	Nutritional Information
Steamed Dumplings	200-300	20g protein, 30g carbohydrates, 10g fat
Vegetable Lo Mein	300-400	15g protein, 40g carbohydrates, 15g fat
Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry	250-350	25g protein, 20g carbohydrates, 10g fat
Egg Foo Young	200-300	15g protein, 20g carbohydrates, 10g fat
Steamed Fish with Ginger and Scallions	150-250	20g protein, 5g carbohydrates, 10g fat

💡 When ordering Chinese food, be sure to ask for brown rice instead of white rice, and choose steamed or stir-fried dishes instead of deep-fried options. You can also customize your dish by asking for less oil or salt.

Tips for Making Low-Calorie Chinese Meals Even Healthier

In addition to choosing low-calorie Chinese meals, there are several tips you can follow to make your dishes even healthier. Choose lean proteins such as chicken, fish, or tofu, and load up on vegetables to increase the nutrient density of your meal. You can also ask for brown rice instead of white rice, and opt for steamed or stir-fried dishes instead of deep-fried options.

Customizing Your Low-Calorie Chinese Meal

One of the benefits of ordering Chinese food is that you can often customize your dish to suit your dietary needs. Here are a few tips for customizing your low-calorie Chinese meal:

• Ask for less oil or salt to reduce the calorie and sodium content of your dish.
• Choose lean proteins such as chicken, fish, or tofu to reduce the saturated fat content of your meal.
• Load up on vegetables to increase the nutrient density of your meal.
• Opt for steamed or stir-fried dishes instead of deep-fried options to reduce the calorie and fat content of your meal.

What is the healthiest type of Chinese food to order?

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The healthiest type of Chinese food to order is typically a steamed or stir-fried dish made with lean proteins and plenty of vegetables. Avoid deep-fried dishes and choose brown rice instead of white rice to increase the nutrient density of your meal.

How can I customize my Chinese meal to make it healthier?

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You can customize your Chinese meal by asking for less oil or salt, choosing lean proteins, and loading up on vegetables. You can also opt for steamed or stir-fried dishes instead of deep-fried options and choose brown rice instead of white rice.

In conclusion, there are many delicious and low-calorie Chinese meals to order, and by following a few simple tips, you can make your dish even healthier. Remember to choose lean proteins, load up on vegetables, and opt for steamed or stir-fried dishes instead of deep-fried options. With a little knowledge and planning, you can enjoy the flavors of China without compromising your dietary goals.