Many people find that the foods in China are very different from what they were accustomed to in their home country. With all of the restaurants in the cities, it can be tempting to eat out and not always make the best healthy food choices. When living in China, here are some tips that can help you eat healthier while still enjoying the local cuisine.

Making Healthy Choices When Eating Out

Eating at a restaurant doesn't have to be unhealthy, as long as you keep a few things in mind. First, try to avoid as much of the fried food as possible. While it is often delicious, it is no healthier for you than fried foods in any other country. If you have a choice between rice and noodles with your meal, always choose rice. Plain white steamed rice is the best choice, as it is a simple food without added fats. Choose dishes with plenty of vegetables, and focus heavily on green leafy vegetables, as these are very low in calories while full of vitamins. You have to be careful when choosing meats, as they are often fried and can be full of fat. Plus, meats are often cooked with sauces, including soy sauce, which is high in sodium. Stir fried dishes which contain primarily vegetables are also usually a good choice, especially if they haven't been cooked in too much oil. Clear broth soups are also a good choice when eating out.
In general, the more simply prepared the foods the better. The main goal is to avoid foods that are too high in fat, calories and salt. Portion control is another factor to take into consideration. There is no reason not to sample and enjoy some of the delicious local cuisine, even those dishes which you know to be high in fat and sodium. It just takes a little bit of willpower to avoid taking a large portion of these dishes. Enjoy them, but do so in moderation. If you are eating dinner with another person, you might even want to split and share some of the higher calorie dishes so that you can both try it, but still eat relatively healthy.

Cooking Your Own Foods in China

If you are living in China, chances are you will want to cook at least half of your meals yourself. This will give you a better chance to control the ingredients in your foods, so that you are sure that they are healthy and low in calories and fats. There are also many delicious fresh vegetables and fruits to try in China that you can get at the market. Experiment and try some vegetables that you've never had before. You can get a Chinese cookbook or look online for interesting recipes that utilize these ingredients if you've never cooked with them before. When shopping for meat, try to stick to lean varieties such as chicken instead of duck. With just a little effort, you'll find that it's not only possible to eat healthy in China, but that it can also be quite delicious and a lot of fun.

Metal-Wall-Art.com regularly features articles by Alyssa Davis on decorating with metal wall art and silver metal wall art.