A Weight Watchers Guide To Eating At A Chinese Buffet - Drizzle Me Skinny! (2024)

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Do you struggle to choose what to eat at your favorite local Chinese buffet? Unfortunately, it can be challenging to determine the exact point values of the dishes. We may not always know every ingredient used by the restaurants, but you can follow some helpful guidelines to make healthier choices.

And if you are craving for weight watchers friendly chinese food at home, be sure to check out my ww orange chicken recipe.

A Weight Watchers Guide To Eating At A Chinese Buffet - Drizzle Me Skinny! (1)

What are the Healthiest Foods to Get at a Chinese Restaurant?

To start with, let’s avoid fried food as it usually has the highest calorie and point count. For instance, although they may be tempting, it’s better to avoid dishes like crab Rangoon, fried noodles and veggies, fried meat, or any other similar choices.

If you have the option, consider selecting food items that don’t come with sauce or choosing a dish where you can pair a small amount of sauce on the side. This way, you will have better control over how much sauce you consume.

Sweet and sour sauce, as the name implies, often contains high-calorie and point ingredients like sugar or honey. Therefore, it is better to avoid it if possible.

Now that we’ve covered some basic tips, we can get into some of the foods that are better options for WW members:

When you have doubts, you can always ask how something is cooked. For instance, steamed dumplings are considerably lower in points than fried!

Here are some other helpful tips:

  • Take advantage of the salad bar if there is one.
  • Use a smaller plate if you know you will be going back for seconds.
  • Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid over-indulging.
  • Load up on the veggies.
  • Listen to your body when it tells you you’re full.
  • Drink plenty of water.

If you prefer fast food or fast-casual restaurants that serve Chinese food instead of Chinese buffet-style restaurants, we have got you covered.

We have gathered some of the points amounts for popular chains like Panda Express, HuHot Mongolian Grill, Manchu Wok, and PF Chang’s. Check them out here:

HuHot Mongolian Grill:

  • Broccoli: 0 Points
  • Beef: 3 Points
  • Seafood Medley: 0 Points
  • Cod: 0 Points
  • Pork: 2 points
  • Zucchini Noodles: 0 points

Panda Express:

  • Broccoli Beef: 4 Points
  • Mushroom Chicken: 5 Points
  • Super Greens: 1 Point
  • Fortune Cookie: 1 Point
  • Firecracker Shrimp: 2 Points

PF Chang’s:

  • Wonton Soup (cup): 3 Points
  • Ginger Chicken with Broccoli: 8 Points
  • Brown Rice: 5 Points
  • Egg Drop Soup (cup): 1 Point
  • Steamed Edamame: 0 Points

Manchu Wok:

  • Beef and Broccoli: 6 Points
  • Mixed Vegetables: 3 Points
  • Black Pepper Chicken: 5 Points

Ultimately, there are plenty of ways to eat healthy when you enjoy Chinese cuisine! In fact, this type of cuisine has lighter options than others since a lot of food is steamed or boiled. As long as you steer clear of the fried food or high-sugar foods, you’ll be good to go.

A Weight Watchers Guide To Eating At A Chinese Buffet - Drizzle Me Skinny! (2024)

FAQs

What is the lowest point Chinese food on Weight Watchers? ›

Decide on your main
EntreePoints
Steamed chicken or shrimp with vegetables (1 cup) and 2 tbsp ginger-garlic sauce on the side2
Steamed shrimp and broccoli without sauce (1 cup)0
Chicken egg foo young (1 patty)2
Moo goo gai pan with chicken or shrimp (1 cup)3
7 more rows
May 17, 2021

What Chinese food can I eat to lose weight? ›

When looking for a dish, aim for a meal that contains vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats.
  • Steamed Fish or Seafood. ...
  • Steamed Buns. ...
  • Miso Soup. ...
  • Rainbow Stir Fry. ...
  • Cucumber and Mushroom Salad. ...
  • Chinese Steamed Scallops and Glass Noodles.
Jul 9, 2023

Which Chinese sauce is lowest in calories? ›

Chinese black vinegar. It has a super low calorie with only 31 k cal per 100 g. You can use it as a dumpling dipping sauce, a hot pot dipping sauce. In addition, the Chinese soy sauce also has a really low calorie.

What can I order from Chinese low calorie? ›

Look for dishes that are steamed or stir-fried or try pairing a couple small items - like steamed dumplings or egg foo yung - with a cup of soup. Watch out for fried dishes, like orange chicken and szechaun beef, which can hit over 600 calories per cup!

What is healthiest Chinese food to order? ›

13 Healthiest Chinese Food Takeout Options
  1. Steamed dumplings. Dumplings offered at a Chinese restaurant are pockets of dough filled with seasoned meat and vegetables, usually pork and cabbage. ...
  2. Hot and sour soup or egg drop soup. ...
  3. Moo goo gai pan. ...
  4. Beef and broccoli. ...
  5. Chop suey. ...
  6. Chicken and broccoli. ...
  7. Baked salmon. ...
  8. Happy family.

Can you eat too many zero point foods on Weight Watchers? ›

Full of fiber and protein, these foods also support overall health, keep you full, and bulk up and add flavor to your meals. And, of course, you can eat as much as you like.

How to eat healthy at a Chinese buffet? ›

For instance, although they may be tempting, it's better to avoid dishes like crab Rangoon, fried noodles and veggies, fried meat, or any other similar choices. If you have the option, consider selecting food items that don't come with sauce or choosing a dish where you can pair a small amount of sauce on the side.

What is the most unhealthy Chinese food dish? ›

Worst: General Tso's Chicken

Named after a Chinese war hero, this fat-laden dish won't help you win any weight loss battles. The breaded, fried chicken is smothered in a sugary sauce. One order clocks in at around 1,500 calories and 88 grams of fat, and it delivers more sodium than you should get in a day.

What is the Chinese remedy for losing weight? ›

Some Chinese herbal remedies are thought to help with weight loss, including ginseng, He Ye (lotus leaf), Fu Ling, and Huang Qi. Of course, there's plenty of non-Chinese herbs that have been shown to fight food cravings and boost fat burning, including fenugreek, ginger, oregano, cinnamon, and cumin.

What Chinese dish is least fattening? ›

Some specific dishes that are particularly low in calories in Chinese cuisine include steamed vegetables, steamed fish, Buddha's delight (a vegetarian stir-fry), and moo goo gai pan (chicken with mushrooms and vegetables). These dishes are typically prepared with minimal oil and are packed with nutritious ingredients.

What is moo shu vegetable made of? ›

What Are Moo Shu-Style Vegetables? Moo shu is an American-Chinese stir-fry that features chopped or thinly sliced vegetables, egg and sometimes a protein such as chicken, shrimp or pork. It's typically flavored with a hoisin-based sauce and served on a simple, flat pancake similar to a flour tortilla.

Can you eat Chinese food on Weight Watchers? ›

Points-friendly garlic sauce, black bean sauce, and brown sauce are good choices. Vegetarian options like Chinese vegetables with tofu or vegetable lo mein are also good bets. Other noodle options to explore? Chow fun, a stir fried broad flat noodle, with chicken or beef.

What is the best Chinese dish to have on a diet? ›

Steamed Fish and Vegetables

Takeout menus tend to offer a mild-tasting variety of protein-rich white fish, such as sole, and it's paired with mixed vegetables. The veggies add fiber, a key nutrient for digestion and heart health. If you have the chance to choose or add Chinese eggplant as a veggie, go for it.

What is the lowest carb meal from Chinese? ›

Here are some of the Chinese dishes that are the most keto-friendly:
  • Low-carb, high-protein instant ramen.
  • Egg drop soup.
  • Steamed fish and vegetables.
  • Broccoli beef.
  • Egg foo young.
  • Clear soups.
  • Mu shu pork.
  • Kung pao chicken.
Jun 10, 2020

What is the lowest calorie item on a Chinese menu? ›

Some specific dishes that are particularly low in calories in Chinese cuisine include steamed vegetables, steamed fish, Buddha's delight (a vegetarian stir-fry), and moo goo gai pan (chicken with mushrooms and vegetables). These dishes are typically prepared with minimal oil and are packed with nutritious ingredients.

What food has no points on Weight Watchers? ›

Our ZeroPoint food categories
  • Non-starchy vegetables. With a wide range of health benefits, it's no wonder non-starchy veggies are a ZeroPoint food for everyone. ...
  • Fruits. ...
  • Chicken & turkey breast. ...
  • Fish & shellfish. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Tofu & tempeh. ...
  • Beans, peas & lentils. ...
  • Low-fat yoghurt & cottage cheese.
Dec 9, 2021

Why is chicken not 0 points on Weight Watchers? ›

Chicken thighs will have a Points value because this dark meat contains a higher amount of fat than the tenderloin or breast. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't eat them! There's still room for this delicious cut in your Budget.

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