If you’re dedicated to a wholesome consuming plan, you would possibly assume meaning saying goodbye to quick meals. But are quick meals and wholesome meals mutually unique?
While the fare obtainable at quick meals eating places is fast, inexpensive, and engaging, it tends to include extra salt, sugar, and fats than meals made at residence. But the reality is, there are days while you simply need to seize a meal on the go. When that occurs, don’t get confused. There are loads of wholesome choices when ordering quick meals.
If you might be searching for a fast meal of Chinese meals, Panda Express is a simple possibility. The common chain has places all around the nation the place you will get a scrumptious meal with out ready. It additionally has some well-balanced, wholesome meal selections. Our registered dietitian reviewed the Panda Express vitamin information to select the healthiest choices for you.
6 Healthy Options at Panda Express According to a Dietitian
When you’re contemplating the Panda Express vitamin values, you’ll be able to have a look at the general calorie depend in addition to the protein, carbohydrate, and fats values. But listed below are the three most vital issues to bear in mind:
- Check to see if the entrees include greens. Veggies add taste and selection with out including fats or processed carbs.
- Check to see what number of milligrams of sodium are within the meal. Numerous the objects obtainable at meals chains include excessive quantities of salt. That provides the entree choices numerous taste, however excessive sodium content material can contribute to well being points like hypertension.
- Check for added sugar. For instance, the Panda Express candy and bitter sauce has 20 grams of sugar in a 1.8-ounce serving. If you’re watching your sugar consumption, take note of these values.
Want precise meal ideas? We’ve included values from the Panda Express vitamin chart for our favourite dishes beneath.
1. String Bean Chicken Breast With Steamed Brown Rice
String Bean Chicken Breast (5.6 oz)
- Calories: 210
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Sugars: 5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Carbs: 13 g
Steamed Brown Rice (10.4 oz)
- Calories: 420
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Sugars: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Fat: 4 g
- Carbs: 86 g
The Panda Express string bean hen breast packs 12 grams of protein, loads of fiber from the brown rice, and is low in fats. This is a good alternative for lunch because it’s probably to provide you a pleasant power enhance and go away you feeling full for a very long time.
The brown rice provides extra protein and vital dietary fiber to the meal. Studies present that consuming a fiber-rich weight loss program may help with attaining weight reduction objectives.
2. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken With Steamed White Rice
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (6 oz)
- Calories: 275
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Sugars: 9 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Carbs: 14 g
Steamed White Rice (8.1 oz)
- Calories: 380
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbs: 87 g
Grilled teriyaki hen is a traditional entree that tastes scrumptious. Grilled hen is a high-protein meal with low fats content material. The 6-ounce portion dimension is large enough to be satisfying as a lunch or dinner, particularly with the rice on the aspect. The teriyaki hen at Panda Express will get a few of its signature taste from added sugar. According to the vitamin information posted on their web site, the dish has 9 grams of the candy stuff, so concentrate on that should you’re watching your sugar consumption.
White rice is a go-to aspect for Chinese meals Panda Express lovers. It’s low in fats and comprises protein, which makes a pleasant addition to your meal. White rice has 87 grams of carbs, although, so take into account consuming half the rice and saving the remaining for one more meal. As a bonus, analysis exhibits that refrigerating rice converts it to a resistant starch — a prebiotic that may assist regulate blood sugar ranges. You get the advantages of refrigerating rice even should you reheat it earlier than consuming.
3. The Wok-Smart Black Pepper Angus Steak
Black Pepper Angus Steak (5.1 oz)
- Calories: 210
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Sugars: 7 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Carbs: 13 g
The black pepper Angus steak is a savory mixture of sliced steak and recent greens like purple peppers, mushrooms, and broccoli. It delivers a pleasant pop of spice together with loads of lean protein. With solely 13 grams of carbohydrates, it’s good for anybody who’s maintaining a tally of macros.
4. Broccoli Beef With Steamed Brown Rice
Broccoli Beef (5.4 oz)
- Calories: 150
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Sugars: 7 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Carbs: 13 g
Steamed Brown Rice (10.4 oz)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 9 g
- Fat: 4 g
- Carbs: 86 g
Broccoli beef is virtually synonymous with Chinese meals. It’s a tasty traditional that’s additionally a stable alternative for a wholesome meal. The beef gives loads of lean protein by itself, and the brown rice boosts that macro much more. Broccoli is an undisputed dietary champ, offering a wallop of vitamin C, together with vitamin A, iron, and dietary fiber.
5. Mushroom Chicken With Super Greens
Mushroom Chicken (5.7 oz)
- Calories: 220
- Sodium: 840 mg
- Sugars: 5 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbs: 10 g
Super Greens (7 oz)
- Calories: 90
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Sugars: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Fat: 3 g
- Carbs: 10 g
The mushroom hen entree at Panda Express is already loaded with zucchini and fiber-rich mushrooms. Adding a aspect of tremendous greens, which incorporates child broccoli, cabbage, and kale, turns this meal right into a veggie-happy feast! The fats content material is about as little as you will get with any mixture of Panda Express menu objects.
6. Fortune Cookies for Dessert
Fortune Cookie (0.18 oz)
- Calories: 20
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Sugars: 2 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbs: 5 g
What’s a visit to Panda Express with no fortune cookie to complete up? Fortune cookies are enjoyable, and so they’re additionally a low-calorie, fat-free deal with to fulfill your candy tooth.
Choose the Healthiest Menu Items at Panda Express and Enjoy
Now you already know a number of wholesome choices at Panda Express! Next time you step as much as the counter, decide from among the many tasty entrees that supply steadiness of Panda Express macros and embody loads of greens. The MyFitnessPal app permits you to search for menu objects from Panda Express and different eating places so you’ll be able to simply log your selections and monitor their vitamin values. This helps you to see your calorie counts, macros, and different dietary details about the meals you’ve eaten. Knowing the main points of every meal helps you keep inside your objectives for the day!