Unhealthy Chinese-Food Choices

The seven most unhealthy choices at a Chinese restaurant

The next time you're at a Chinese restaurant, back away from the fried rice and think twice, many dishes are loaded with sodium, oil and carbs

1. and 2.

Fried rice and lo mein:
Those dishes are basically three quarters of a day's calories, and you're just getting four or five cups of white rice or white noodles with oil and a sprinkling of vegetables. They're especially dangerous because they're often served alongside people's main orders and deliver "not much more than a smattering of vegetables or protein from the meat. People should steer clear entirely of the noodle dishes and instead focus on choices that'll deliver a few more nutrients, such as mixed vegetables or tofu.

3. Chow fun:
This dish is made of wider rice noodles and might taste more healthy than lo mein, but it's not. The noodles are thicker, but they're going to do the same damage to your belly and blood pressure as the lo mein.

4. Crispy (orange) beef:
Many meat-based menu items simply offer "hunks of fried meat." What you're getting is three quarters of a pound of deep-fried meat, garnished with vegetables.

5. Lemon chicken:
A plate of lemon chicken contains 1,400 calories, two thirds of a day's fat and no vegetables.

6. General Tso's chicken:
Though some restaurantgoers think chicken is a healthier option than pork and beef, it isn't necessarily. General Tso's chicken features breaded, deep-fried chicken chunks that are then soaked in sauce; ...that one plate has about 1,300 calories and half a day's worth of saturated fat.

7. Barbequed spare ribs:
These "appetizers" pack a punch—one plate of spare ribs carries two thirds of a day's worth of saturated fat and 600 calories. Dumplings, steamed or pan-fried, are much more health-friendly.

The best way to cut the sodium out of your Chinese restaurant meal is to opt for steamed vegetables, but that's no fun.
Stir-fried dishes, such as shrimp with garlic sauce, Szechuan shrimp, moo goo gai pan and chicken with black bean sauce all contain less than 1,000 calories a plate, and vegetarian dishes such as stir-fried mixed vegetables, ma po tofu and Szechuan string beans also are healthier. These alternatives are all still heavy on the salt, so think about ordering the sauce on the side.