From the subtle flavors of Canton to the spicy food of Hunan and Szechuan, Chinese cuisine is a challenge for people on a low carb diet. Besides noodles and rice, most dishes have some starch or sugar. It is possible to eat a tasty low-carb meal in a Chinese restaurant, but this depends on the low-carb plan you follow (i.e. Atkins Induction or moderate-carb plan).
The list of low carb foods you can choose from includes egg drop and other clear, thin soups, stir-fried dishes without starch and sugar, meat and vegetables, and black bean sauce. When it comes to carbs and weight control, there are certain foods to avoid. Among them are rice, including steamed rice and fried rice, breaded meats, and egg rolls. Avoid deep-fried wantons and noodles such as chow fun, lo mein, and chow mein. It is not easy to tell which sauces contain a lot of sugar by just looking at the menu. However, some sauces have quite a bit, such as hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, and plum sauce, which is usually served with mu shu. Keep in mind that thick sauces and soups are usually thickened with cornstarch. There are 7 grams of carbohydrate in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. A cup of sour soup will have about 2 grams of carbohydrate or a teaspoon of cornstarch. Some dishes are very sweet (e.g. lemon chicken), and spicy sauces contain a lot of sugar. You can have Mu Shu pork without hoisin sauce and the wrappers. Mu Shu is usually served with several thin, steamed, tortilla-like wrappers, called Mandarin pancakes or moo shu pancakes. Some Chinese restaurants in the U.S. serve Mexican-style tortillas instead, which are more brittle and thinner. Other foods you can have include egg foo yung, walnut chicken, and Mongolian barbeque. You can choose your own vegetables and meats.
With low carb food drinks you can order include water, tea, coffee, and other sugar-free drinks. Avoid fuzzy drinks like soda, Sprite, Fanta, and Coke, with the exception of Pepsi Light and Diet Coke. Low-carbohydrate diets also exclude beer and hard liquor because the body uses alcohol as fuel, and fat burning will slow down. Moreover, alcohol consumption may lead to carbohydrate withdrawal pains and sugar cravings. Of all drinks, liquors contain a lot of sugar and are certain to ruin your diet. If you plan a night out, never drink on an empty stomach. For more information visit this low carb foods list: http://www.lowcarbfoods.org/low+carb+foods+and+recipies/
