Here’s how many calories are in your favourite Chinese takeaway order – and the healthiest alternatives on the menu
A CHINESE takeaway isn’t the best for your waistline - but you probably already knew that.
The delicious food - Chinese in origin but adapted to British tastes - is the most popular fast food in the UK, preferred by a quarter of Brits.
The number of calories in those plastic containers is rather a mystery, given local takeout shops are not obliged to reveal the figures on the menu.
But, it is generally considered what of the biggest scales-busters.
Kim Pearson, a Harley Street London nutritionist, told The Sun: “Chinese is amongst the worst takeaway options.
“As well as a lot of deep fried foods cooked in poor quality oil, many Chinese takeaway dishes are smothered in sauces high in sugar and additives such as flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG)."
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Chinese nosh brings joy to millions of households - which is worth far more than the calories.
But if you’re eating Oriental takeaways on a regular basis, it may be worth taking a look at these eye-opening figures.
How many calories are in a Chinese takeaway?
Nutracheck, a UK-based food diary app that helps people count calories, provided a general calorie list for some of the top Chinese restaurant dishes.
It based calculations on multiple sources, but warns there is variability in recipes and cooking methods between restaurants.
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Half a chicken chow mein, half an egg fried rice, some beef in black bean sauce and a couple of prawn toast adds up to around 1,300 calories for a plate, Nutracheck says.
The highest calorific dish listed was sweet and sour chicken, with half a typical plastic container holding around 508 calories.
But watch out for crispy duck pancakes - a large pancake is worth around 193 calories.
And a large egg fried rice - a staple to many takeaways - is 850 calories alone.
Emma, Nutracheck senior nutritionist and fitness expert, said that as well as the oil and fat, salt and sugar are relied on heavily for Chinese takeout.
"I’m sure many of us have woken up with a raging thirst in the middle of the night after a Chinese takeaway," she said.
"And just half a container of sweet and sour chicken can contain the maximum daily allowance of added sugar."
How can you eat healthy from the Chinese takeaway?
Emma said "it’s possible to eat anything you like when losing weight" if you monitor the quantity and frequency of it.
"Cutting out everything you love is a surefire way to feel deprived and risk giving up much sooner," she said.
"If you fancy a Chinese takeaway, go for it, just factor it in to your intake across the week and make some allowances elsewhere to save on calories.
"And ensure it is an occasional meal, not a regular dinner.
"Rather than having half a container of noodles and three deep fried chicken balls for example, opt for a quarter of a container of noodles and just one or two chicken balls.
"Take your time while eating and trust me, you’ll realise you don’t need the portions you thought you did."
When picking what to order, Emma says avoid "large quantities are deep fried foods and those in rich, fatty sauces".
"Examples are deep fried chicken balls, sesame prawn toast, wontons, beef curry," she said.
"Sweet and sour dishes are also likely to be high in sugar and calories, so try to steer clear of these.
"Instead, opt for the dry noodle dishes which are heavy on beansprouts and vegetables, and meat options like chicken satay sticks which are not coated in rich sauces."
Emma said chicken chow mein and black bean sauce dishes aren't the worst options in terms of calories.
The problem is eating large quantities - and most people overeat Chinese takeaway.
Emma said: "Avoid double, or even triple, carbing – so if you’re having noodles, don’t add rice and chips as well.
"Choose one carb (rice or chips or noodles), with vegetables and low fat protein such as chicken or prawns.
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"Also, choose plain rice over egg fried rice."
Kim suggested having steamed dumplings, grilled fish, stir fried vegetables or a broth soup.
How many calories are in your favourite Chinese takeaway dish?
- Beef in black bean sauce: 540 calories in a typical plastic container
- Chicken chow mein: 820 calories in a large foil container
- Egg fried rice: 850 calories in a large typical plastic container (457g)
- Crispy duck pancakes: 103 calories in a small pancake, and 193 in a large pancake
- Sweet and sour chicken: 1,015 calories in a typical plastic container
- Chicken in cashew nuts: 384 calories in half a typical plastic container
- King prawns and mixed vegetables: 436 calories in a typical plastic container
- Sweet and sour chicken ball: 70 calories per ball
- Prawn toast: 230 calories per two toasts