Is there a general rule of thumb when it comes to calories in Chinese food? We had some over the weekend and it was amazing but I have no idea how many calories I ingested. Does it matter exactly what the dish was??

Chinese food's my favourite, haven't had it in a while though! The amount of calories will be different depending on what you have - generally dishes that are deep fried will be more than things like chow mein.

It's hard to tell because it will also depend on which type of oil the restaurant uses. Most of the calories are going to come from the sauces and oils. Even a simple stir fry may be loaded down with unhealthy oil. You could stick to the steamed meals.

Chinese food is often loaded with calories and sodium. To add insult to injury, you get hungry quickly afterwards. A 5 oz serving of orange chicken from Asian Chao is 340 calories and 800 mg of sodium. Add 8 oz of fried rice and you have another 450 calories and 750 mg of sodium.

I heard chow mein was the lowest calories therefore best choice but I doubt there is any rule other than don't be tempted If I have one then I go for what I fancy than torturing myself smelling my partners choice lol

I love Chinese food too but the breading on General Tso's Chicken can be really fattening! I like to get the kind without the breading on it. Kung Pao chicken is traditionally made without breading but many restaurants have put breading on it lately.

I have heard that chop suey is one of the more diet friendly options too. When I was dieting a few years ago I used to order vegetable chop suey if we had a takeaway.

I know sodium is an issue, this is why we seldom order it. I would love to just make it at home and have it be healthier. I would also love to try Thai at home, get me some chicken and I will be your best friend forever. I can not get enough of the stuff!

I think Chinese food is pretty high in calories since most of it is cooked in oil. You could make it at home, though, and then you'd have a lot more control over what goes into it.

Hmm... I don't know. Sometimes they will list their calories on their menu. That's only with some places, though. Some foods will be lower in calories than others. I think it would be okay to eat Chinese food from time to time, as long as you pick and choose and make the healthier choices.