3 Essential Tips for Maintaining Your Diet in Chinese Restaurants
Modern Chinese cuisine is delightful and perfect for a night out alone or with your family. Unfortunately, numerous people miss out on the exceptional food experience due to health concerns. For instance, individuals struggling with weight loss might stay away from the cuisine. These concerns are unfounded. Traditional Chinese foods are healthy and are often served with plenty of vegetables. However, most enthusiasts favour the alternatives. If you are committed to a healthier diet, you only need to order your food right. Here are simple tips on eating healthier meals when in a restaurant.
1. Select Steamed Over Fried
If you are interested in lowering your oil intake, you should order steamed foods instead of the standard fried. Most restaurants will provide this option to cater to different preferences. Therefore, you should take advantage of this to stick to your healthy diet. There is a range of foods to consider, so you will not miss out on your favourite items. For instance, if you like to have dumplings at the beginning of your meals, you can choose steamed ones. You can even order steamed vegetable dumplings for the best effect. In the same way, choose steamed rice instead of fried.
2. Order Soup Instead of Rolls
Rolls, particularly egg rolls, are a staple in Chinese restaurants. However, they might not be the best starters for your dinner if you have embraced a healthier lifestyle. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious light appetizers which you can order instead of the heavier rolls. For instance, you should think about trying out soups such as egg drop soup. This soup has fewer calories, and you will fill up your stomach before the main dish is served. It is the perfect option for curbing appetite and reducing your total consumed portions.
3. Consider Skipping White Rice
White rice is not a suitable food item to include in a healthy diet. However, it is a core part of the menu in the restaurants. This does not mean that you must abandon your diet plan on your night out. You can enjoy your meal and still avoid this carbohydrate. If you would really like to have rice, you should inquire about the brown rice options. Brown rice is less processed, so it will not compromise your health goals. The alternative is to skip carbohydrates altogether and fill up on fibrous vegetables.
Finally, you should think about ordering and having your meals with light sauces instead of creamy and sweet alternatives.