There are quite a few healthy dishes available in Chinese restaurants rich in fibre, vegetables and vitamins but it is important to choose carefully. Many Chinese dishes are deep fried, are high in fat, calories and salt. Dishes to be avoided when dieting are Sweet and Sour Pork, Spring Rolls, Duck Dishes, Deep Fried Banana and Special Fried Rice. Lower calorie alternative dishes can be chosen making Chinese not too unhealthy or impossible to build in to a diet.
Choose clear soups, steamed rice or boiled rice and stir fried dishes or prawns, tofu or chicken dishes. Plain noodles and chop suey will also be a good choice.
As a guide to calories on average 1 large spring roll is 450 calories and 25g of fat, chicken chop suey is 500 calories and 15g of fat, king prawns in ginger just 250 calories 10g of fat.