Chinese Food Health Tips
by Merck — Whether you decide on Szechuan, Cantonese, or Hunan style, there are ways to translate your meal into something healthy.
You’ll find lots of fried foods on many Chinese menus, along with plenty of meat recipes and dishes made with eggs. Chinese food can be high in sodium, too. Fortunately, there are healthier options.
Here’s some food for thought before you choose:
| Instead of | Try |
| Egg drop soup | Wonton or hot-and-sour soup |
| Egg rolls or fried wontons | Steamed vegetable dumplings |
| Fried entrees | Boiled, broiled, steamed, or lightly stir-fried entrées |
| Meat dishes | Vegetable dishes |
| Fried rice | Steamed rice |
| Lobster sauce (has egg yolks) | Sweet-and-sour sauce, plum, or duck sauce (but watch the sodium) |
A little of this, a little of that
You don’t have to eat till you’ve had too much, either. Chinese menus often have a lot to offer, and in large portions. So why not divvy it up? Order a variety of entrées with your companions—then you can try a little of everything. Oh yes, and you’ll probably want to ask the cook to leave out the soy sauce, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and salt.
