Don't Put the Chopsticks Down Just Yet

Mar 22, 05:14 PM

Current Headlines: By Joe Stumpe, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.

Mar. 22--Foster Tso doesn't think Chinese food is inherently unhealthy. For proof, he looks no further than his employees at the Asian Super Buffet, who eat in the east-side restaurant every day.

"All my people are skinny, you know," said Tso, who's not breaking any scales himself at 143 pounds.

Nevertheless, Chinese restaurant food is the latest culinary category to get a scolding from the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C.

The center reports that a typical serving of one popular dish, General Tso's chicken (no relation to Foster Tso), has about 40 percent more sodium and more than half the calories an average adult needs for one day.

The battered, fried chicken dish with vegetables has 1,300 calories, 3,200 milligrams of sodium and 11 grams of saturated fat. That's not counting the usual accompaniments of rice (200 calories a cup) and an egg roll (200 calories and 400 milligrams of sodium).

The average adult needs around 2,000 calories a day and 2,300 milligrams -- about one teaspoon -- of salt, according to government guidelines.

Even some dishes that might be thought of as lighter fare can contribute to waistlines and blood pressure. A plate of stir-fried greens has 900 calories and 2,200 milligrams of sodium. And a restaurant serving of eggplant in garlic sauce has 1,000 calories and 2,000 milligrams of sodium.

An order of six steamed pork dumplings has 500 calories, and there's not much difference, about 10 calories per dumpling, if they're pan-fried.

Kong Wong, owner of Kwan Court restaurant, agreed that Chinese cuisine features "quite a few deep-fried items." But he said there are just as many steamed and braised dishes, and noted that his own restaurant is a favorite of people who work out at the nearby Genesis Health Club.

"If they want something healthy, they go for sushi," Wong said.

Sara Kindred, a registered dietitian with Via Christi, said any type of food can be part of a balanced diet.

"While Chinese restaurants may have kind of a negative image, there are always better choices you can make while you're there, and watching portion sizes" helps, she said.

The center's report comes as Chinese officials say that country's population is growing increasingly obese -- and blaming the influence of Western lifestyles for that change.

The center said Chinese food is no worse for your health than that served in Italian and Mexican restaurants, and is usually lower in saturated fat, which can increase the risk of heart disease.

It also noted that not much had changed since it analyzed Chinese restaurant food 15 years ago, while many other types of restaurants are serving ever more unhealthy fare.

Contributing: Associated Press

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