The 6 Most Unhealthy Chinese Foods & What to Order for Your Family Instead

If you're like me, you love the chance to bring your family to the best Chinese restaurant in town. Most of these restaurants are incredibly comfortable and welcoming and the food is always amazing. However, though it's tasty, there are also many unhealthy Chinese foods and some of them are likely dishes that you may eat all of the time.

Some of the unhealthy options include General Tso's chicken, crab rangoon, and those scrumptious egg rolls. The good news is that there are some healthy items at your favorite Chinese restaurant that you can substitute instead. They're just as delicious and you'll still be satisfied at the end of your meal.

The easiest way to avoid unhealthy Chinese foods is to look at the nutritional details before you place your order because there are several red flags to avoid, including the salt content. Many Chinese dishes get their flavor from excessive salt. Too much salt can be incredibly dangerous because it can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, stroke, and more.

Some of the most beloved Chinese dishes, from orange chicken to General Tso's chicken, are loaded with sugar. It's mostly hidden in the sauces that cover the dishes. Dangers of doing so include heart disease and type 2 diabetes. There are also concerns that you may not always consider, such as tooth decay, which can cause major issues down the road.

One of the most famous culprits of unhealthy Chinese food is MSG, which is short for monosodium glutamate. MSG is a flavor enhancer that's found in many different foods, including canned soup, deli meats, and more. The ingredient is madefrom sodium and amino acids. Though MSG is not in every type of Chinese food, it is in many dishes. Over the years, there have been reports that some people experienced mild side effects such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue after eating dishes containing MSG. Luckily, there are usually small portions of MSG in a dish, so most people will be fine with consuming it. Still, it's something you should be aware of when you're placing your order.

Though they may seem simple, one of the most unhealthy Chinese foods is the egg rolls. The ingredients inside may be okay. In most cases, they're vegetarian. However, when they're dropped in the deep fryer, their calorie content can skyrocket. It's not uncommon for a single egg roll to have at least 150 calories. Many people eat these as an appetizer, so if you eat a meal afterward, you're adding on more unnecessary calories. 

If you're looking for a side dish or an appetizer at the Chinese restaurant, go for the steamed vegetables. The veggies will have a fraction of the calories and they taste good when mixed in with the rest of your meal. Or, if your adamant about having an egg roll, then just eat one and then don't go crazy with your main meal.

General Tso's Chicken is a go-to for many diners, but if you're watching your health, then you may want to try an alternative. The main reason why the dish is so unhealthy is due to the very high sugar content. That sugar comes from the sauces, which combine cornstarch, orange juice, and sugar. The sauce is also very salty. In fact, eating this dish could mean consuming 2,400 milligrams of sodium. For reference, experts recommend having no more than 2,000 mg of sodium in an entire day.

If you're strongly desiring chicken with your meal, see if your restaurant offers chicken with bok choy. This tasty dish includes lean chicken breast that is rich in protein and not in calories. Bok choy is a leafy vegetable that contains awesome nutrients, including vitamins A and C. If you must have the General Tso's Chicken, share it with a few friends so you get the taste without the mass of salt.

Another one of the unassuming but super unhealthy Chinese foods is the plate of crab rangoon that you may get with your meal. This is another item that may seem unassuming, but it's packed with bad components. There's very little crab meat in each piece. Then, the rest is deep-fried bread, which is always going to be unhealthy. If you get the four-piece crab rangoon special that most people get, you'll be consuming over 450 calories. And that's often before you have your main meal.

Another healthy appetizer to consider instead is a side of spring rolls. Unlike egg rolls, spring rolls are typically prepared with rice paper wrappers, and they typically include more vegetables. Add a few of these to your order and get a light entree and you'll have a satisfying and healthy experience. 

Although it comes with many meals, one of the unhealthy Chinese foods that you should probably try to substitute is the fried rice. It isn't just bad for you at Chinese restaurants either. Fried rice is unhealthy right out of the bag because it typically starts off with over 400 calories and over 10 grams of fat. The rice is also covered with oil and other unhealthy elements. When you consider that you'll probably mix in the fried rice with the rest of your meal, you're talking about a mass amount of calories.

If you get the option, ask the wait staff to substitute white or brown rice instead of fried rice. Both of these options will taste just as great when mixed in with the rest of your meal. Regardless of which type you choose, you'll be getting a fraction of the calories that you would with fried rice, so consider the switch.

One of the most popular dishes at just about any Chinese restaurant is the sweet and sour pork. It's a perfect mix of sweet and savory. However, be cautious as the meal is typically loaded with about 16 teaspoons of sugar, which is equivilent to several chocolate bars. The pork in the dish is also typically deep fried, so that adds plenty of calories.

If you want some meat in your dish but you want to avoid the unhealthy Chinese foods, then try the chop suey. You can typically choose the type of meat you want in the dish. That meat is accompanied by healthy components, including water chestnuts, cabbage, and bean sprouts. If you get it with rice, get the white or brown rice. For healthy meat, consider shrimp.

Many people go to Chinese restaurants with the desire to try some tasty barbecue spare ribs. However, you may want toreconsider. They are packed with sodium and may contain more sodium than you should consume in a day. Plus, when prepared in the traditional way, they can contain over 60 grams of fat.

Instead of the ribs, how about trying the kung pao chicken? It's not ribs, but it's a tasty meal that offers a nice level of spice and a meaty, savory taste. Get it with brown rice, and you could have a meal that's less than 600 calories. It's also loaded with healthy components, like fiber and antioxidants.