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Introduction:
Chinese food is beloved all over the world for its bold flavors and unique spices. However, many Chinese dishes can be high in sodium, which can lead to health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease. In this post, we’ll explore the best Chinese meals to choose if you’re looking to limit your sodium intake. We’ll cover dishes from a variety of Chinese cuisine styles, so you can enjoy a delicious meal without compromising your health.
Steamed Dumplings:
Steamed dumplings, also known as shumai or siu mai, are a popular Chinese dish that are often served as an appetizer. These bite-sized dumplings are filled with a variety of ingredients, including pork, shrimp, and vegetables. What makes steamed dumplings a great choice for those watching their sodium intake is that they are typically made with little to no added salt. The fillings themselves are often seasoned with soy sauce and other spices, but these can be added in moderation to keep the sodium content low. Additionally, steaming the dumplings instead of frying them helps to keep the overall sodium content down.
Buddha’s Delight:
Buddha’s Delight, also known as lo han jai, is a vegetarian dish that is often served as part of a Chinese New Year feast. This dish is made with a variety of vegetables, including mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu, as well as seasonings like ginger and garlic. Buddha’s Delight is typically low in sodium because it doesn’t contain any meat or added salt. However, it’s important to note that some versions of this dish may contain soy sauce, which can be high in sodium. To keep the sodium content low, you can ask for the dish to be made without soy sauce or to have the soy sauce served on the side so you can control how much you use.
Hot and Sour Soup:
Hot and Sour Soup is a classic Chinese soup that is made with a variety of ingredients, including tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. The soup is seasoned with vinegar, which gives it a tangy flavor, and chili sauce, which adds some heat. Hot and Sour Soup is typically low in sodium because it doesn’t contain any added salt, and the ingredients themselves are relatively low in sodium. However, some versions of this soup may contain MSG, which can be high in sodium. To keep the sodium content low, you can ask for the soup to be made without MSG or to have the MSG served on the side so you can control how much you use.
Stir-Fried Vegetables:
Stir-fried vegetables are a simple and delicious Chinese dish that can be customized to suit your tastes. This dish typically includes a variety of vegetables, such as broccoli, bok choy, and bell peppers, that are stir-fried with garlic, ginger, and a little bit of oil. What makes stir-fried vegetables a great choice for those watching their sodium intake is that they are typically seasoned with soy sauce in moderation or not at all. To keep the sodium content low, you can ask for the dish to be made without soy sauce or to have the soy sauce served on the side so you can control how much you use.
Moo Shu Vegetables:
Moo Shu Vegetables is a popular Chinese dish that consists of stir-fried vegetables (like cabbage, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots) and scrambled eggs, served with thin pancakes. The dish is typically seasoned with hoisin sauce, which can be high in sodium. However, you can ask for the dish to be made with a lower sodium sauce or without the sauce altogether. This will help to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish.
Steamed Fish:
Steamed fish is a classic Chinese dish that is often served as a main course. The fish is typically steamed with ginger and scallions and served with a light sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and a little bit of sugar. The dish is typically low in sodium because the fish itself doesn’t contain any added salt, and the sauce is used sparingly. However, some versions of this dish may be served with a heavy soy sauce-based sauce, which can be high in sodium. To keep the sodium content low, you can request that the sauce be served on the side so you can control how much you use.
Vegetable Chow Mein:
Vegetable chow mein is a simple and delicious Chinese noodle dish that is typically made with stir-fried vegetables, such as cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts, and noodles. The dish is typically seasoned with soy sauce, which can be high in sodium. However, you can ask for the dish to be made with a lower sodium sauce or without the sauce altogether. You can also request that the dish be made with whole wheat noodles, which are typically lower in sodium than traditional wheat noodles.
Cantonese-style Steamed Chicken:
Cantonese-style steamed chicken is a popular Chinese dish that is typically made with chicken, ginger, and scallions, and steamed until tender. The dish is typically served with a light sauce made from soy sauce, ginger, and a little bit of sugar. The dish is typically low in sodium because the chicken itself doesn’t contain any added salt, and the sauce is used sparingly. However, some versions of this dish may be served with a heavy soy sauce-based sauce, which can be high in sodium. To keep the sodium content low, you can request that the sauce be served on the side so you can control how much you use.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while many Chinese dishes can be high in sodium, there are plenty of options that can be enjoyed without sacrificing taste. Steamed dumplings, Buddha’s Delight, Hot and Sour Soup, Stir-Fried Vegetables, Moo Shu Vegetables, Steamed Fish, Vegetable Chow Mein, and Cantonese-style Steamed Chicken are all great choices for those looking to limit their sodium intake. Remember to ask your server about the sodium content of the dishes you’re interested in and request that they be made without added salt or soy sauce if necessary. With a little bit of careful ordering, you can enjoy a delicious and healthy Chinese meal.
