How to Make Healthier Choices at Panda Express: A Guide to Their Nutrition Menu
Panda Express is a popular fast-food chain known for its delicious Chinese cuisine. However, with their menu offering some high-calorie, high-sodium options, making healthier choices can be a challenge. If you’re looking to eat healthier at Panda Express without sacrificing flavor, this guide is for you. Keep reading to learn how to make smarter choices at Panda Express that can help you maintain a balanced diet.
Understanding the Nutrition Menu
To make informed choices when eating at Panda Express, it’s essential to understand their nutrition menu. Luckily, the chain has a nutrition calculator on its website, which allows customers to see the nutritional values of menu items. This tool enables you to make healthier food choices by comparing the calorie, fat, protein, and sodium content of different dishes.
Choosing the Right Entrée
When it comes to choosing an entrée at Panda Express, it’s crucial to pick something that is low in calories and high in protein. The best options are:
Orange Chicken Bowl: This bowl has 440 calories, 21 grams of protein, and 14 grams of fat per serving.
String Bean Chicken Breast: This dish has 190 calories, 13 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fat per serving.
Kung Pao Chicken: This item has 240 calories, 10 grams of protein, and 11 grams of fat per serving.
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken: This dish has 300 calories, 36 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fat per serving.
Steamed Ginger Fish: This option has 200 calories, 19 grams of protein, and 7 grams of fat per serving.
Avoid fried dishes like SweetFire Chicken Breast, General Tso’s Chicken, and Eggplant Tofu, which are high in calories, fat, and sodium.
Customize Your Bowl
Another way to make your meal healthier at Panda Express is to customize your bowl. You can start by adding veggies like broccoli or string beans to your dish, which can add fiber and nutrients to your meal. You can also request light sauce or ask for it on the side to control your sodium intake. Additionally, you can opt for steamed rice instead of fried rice, which is lower in calories and fat.
Limiting Sodium Intake
Panda Express is known for its high sodium content, but customers can take steps to limit their intake. Choosing steamed options instead of fried dishes, and taking control of the sauce portion or requesting it on the side, are great ways to manage sodium content. Limiting the amount of soy sauce used or opting for the low-sodium version is another good choice.
Conclusion
Eating healthy food at Panda Express is possible, and with the tips outlined in this guide, you can make informed choices when ordering. Make sure to review the nutrition calculator on the Panda Express website and opt for low-calorie, high-protein dishes. Customize your bowl by adding vegetables, choosing steamed dishes over fried ones, and managing the sauce choices. These simple steps will help you make healthier choices while still enjoying the delicious flavors of Panda Express.
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