Top 15 Low-Carb Chinese Food

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Top 15 Low-Carb Chinese Food

Low-carb foods limit the number of carbohydrates a person eats. Instead of carbs, people focus on eating proteins, healthy fats, and vegetables. Carbohydrates or carbs are three main food types the body needs to work correctly. The other two are protein and fat. Carbs give the body energy. The body breaks carbs down to use immediately or later. If the body does not need to use the carbs for energy, it stores them in the muscles and liver to use later. If the body does not use these stored carbs, it converts them to fat.

People following low-carb diets choose foods with a lower carb count as they have a high nutritional value. A low-carb diet can help you lose weight and manage diabetes and other conditions. Avoid high-carb foods like cakes, sugary beverages, and candy. Limit most staple foods as they are high in carbs, even if they are healthy. 

Navigating a Chinese buffet or takeout menu can be challenging if you try to stick to a low-carb diet. Chinese dishes are often made with noodles and rice, starchy and sugary sauces, or battered and fried meats with high carbs. While you’ll have to give up some classic Chinese food staples, there are still plenty to pick from. Prioritize essential protein and vegetables and always go for clear thin soups, steamed foods, and stir-fried dishes. Avoid sugary sauces and anything breaded.

These 15 Chinese food are all great low-carb options:

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Beef or chicken with broccoli

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This dish contains stir-fried beef or chicken, broccoli, and brown sauce. To be safe, use the light sauce as it tends to have less sugar than its thicker counterparts. Avoid the carrots in this dish as they are very high in carbs. To tenderize the beef, some use cornstarch slurry, which can add to the carbs. It is not the worst choice, as there are other higher-carb options. Baking soda is an acceptable replacement for cornstarch.

Steam the beef/chicken and broccoli and have a dipping sauce on the side. Dipping each bite into the sauce versus pouring it on can significantly reduce the meal’s carbohydrate, sodium, and calorie content.

Chop Suey

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This stir-fry features eggs, veggies, and the meat of your choice. To keep the carbs low, stick to the main dish without starchy sides like rice or noodles. Substitute the carbohydrates in the meal for more low-carb options. For example, cauliflower rice or vegetable noodles in the Choy Suey is as delicious as it is low in carbs.

Baked salmon

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Baked salmon is rich in proteins and is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. It’s usually seasoned with traditional Chinese spices. Sprinkling some sesame seeds on top elevates the dish and gives it a crunch! Make sure to avoid the sugary sauce glaze on the fish.

Kung pao shrimp

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Kung pao shrimp is a scrumptious mix of shrimp, bell peppers, chiles, and peanuts. All these ingredients are not only healthy but full of flavor. Go for a light, less gravy-ish sauce to limit the carbs.  Substitute the shrimp with chicken, beef, or pork.

Steamed tofu with mixed veggies

Tofu is a bean curd that is a low-carb source of vital nutrients like iron, calcium, and zinc. It also boasts all nine essential amino acids. Tofu is everything. Even better, fry it! It will not jeopardize your commitment to the low carbs, and you will enjoy a more delicious treat!

Egg Drop and Hot and sour soups

Egg drop soup is one delicious starter. It’s simple, delicious, and low-carb. The soup is made with eggs, broth, and a thickener. Some chopped scallions and cracked black pepper add extra flavor. Keep the high-carb fried wonton strips away from this dish! Hot and sour soup is a much-needed comfort on cold days. It’s a beautiful blend of broth, spices, mushrooms, and tofu. Vinegar gives it a slightly sour, tangy taste. Ultimately avoid thickeners like corn starch and Xanthan gum in these soups.

Mongolian beef

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This dish comprises thinly sliced flank steak, mixed vegetables, scallions, and a brown sauce. You’ll get a well-rounded dish filled with protein and fats. You might want to ask for the sauce on the side to play it safe. A soy-based sauce is a better alternative to a sauce like hoisin.

Pork belly

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This cut of pork is high in fat and super low in carbs. When roasted, it gets super crispy and tender on the inside. Marinate the pork belly with spices and roast it until the skin becomes crisp and crunchy. It’s like eating pork rinds and bacon at the same time. Yummy! Just beware of glazes on the meat. Some coat the beef with a sugar glaze, which can elevate the curbs.

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Moo shu pork

Moo Shu pork is a delicious dish with sliced pork, eggs, and veggies. Toss the ingredients in a light sauce and serve with brown or white rice. To lower the carbs, even more, replace the rice with riced cauliflower or extra veggies. Always avoid adding the sauce if you are on a strict diet. Instead, have the sauce as a dipping side sauce.

Steamed or boiled seafood

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Seafood is prominent among Chinese foods, from crab legs, crawfish, shrimp, and prawns. Steaming is the way to go with these meats. When steamed, these options are free from carbs and rich in protein. Adding a bunch of vegetables always heightens the nutrient level of the dish. Boiling the meat is also another way to go. It keeps most of the nutrients intact.

Sautéed broccoli

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Broccoli is a vegetable that does not contain starch. With just 4.76 grams of carbs per cup, it’s a great addition to the low-carb list. Sauté with a lighter sauce like lobster sauce and brown sauce. Thicker, sugary sauces can be high in carbs.

Egg foo young

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This dish contains eggs, bean sprouts, onions, and cabbage. It is a Chinese omelet. Proteins like pork, chicken, beef, or shrimp can go here. All these ingredients are rich in protein and have very few carbs. To keep the carbs low, replace the gravy with soy sauce instead.

Lettuce wraps

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Lettuce wraps are very healthy. They say that whatever you wrap in lettuce automatically becomes a healthy option! Chinese lettuce wraps are low-carb-friendly, tasty, and easy to make.  Fill the lettuce leaves with sautéed chicken and veggies and finish with chopped scallions and a splash of soy sauce. Yum!

Stir-fried mushrooms

This savory low-carb dish will leave you feeling full but craving more! Most people use white mushrooms and a light sauce, but the use of other fungi is even better.

Peking duck

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Peking roasted duck is a duck that has been marinated and roasted. It is low-carb, especially when sweet sauces such as plum sauce served with the duck are avoided. You’ll also want to ensure you order it with low-carb steamed vegetables, not rice or noodles. It has high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids without any carbohydrates.