The answer depends onwhat you order.
Better yet, choose healthy options like steamed fish, Buddha’s delight, or stir-fries.
An occasional serving of egg rolls or fried rice is unlikely to affect your health or your waistline.
Like with most things, moderation is the key.
Chinese foodis more or less healthy, depending on the cooking method and ingredients used.
Choosing one over the other comes down to your health goals.
General Tso’s chicken and other Chinese dishes are often loaded with sodium, sugar, and trans fats.
Some specialties also containmonosodium glutamate(MSG), a potentially harmful food additive (via theMayo Clinic).
Any of these ingredients can harm your health when consumed in excess.
AHA recommends no more than 1,500 milligrams per day for optimal heart health.
Chinese chefs also usea lot of sugaras a spice.
On top of that, many foods are fried or cooked with large amounts of oil and high-fat sauces.
The same source reports that traditional Chinese foods are rarely deep-fried.
They also contain a lot more soy sauce and other ingredients compared with traditional Chinese food.
Despite these differences, you could still find healthy food options in American-Chinese restaurants.
If you are on a diet ortrying to eat healthier, ask for extra veggies and skip the noodles.
Choose brown rice instead of white rice and cut back on soy sauce.
Look for stir-fried, steamed, or braised dishes and limit deep-fried foods.
So, is Chinese food bad for you?
Egg rolls, deep-fried beef, and other high-sodium orhigh-fat foodscan skyrocket your cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
However, they’re unlikely to affect your health if you enjoy them in moderation.
What matters most is your overall diet.
