P.F. Changs
So it's time to figure out how to navigate the ever-so-intimidating restaurant menu. I love P.F. Chang's. Let's put it this way--my daughter visited P.F. Chang's when she was 6 days old :). Over the past year, several locations have opened up in the Boston area. There are so many options on the menu--many of which are not so healthy. But alas, there are also choices that are good for you and delicious.
Top 3 Healthy Choices:
Chicken Lettuce Wraps: At just 510 calories for the entire dish--this is a great choice for a shared appetizer or as an entree( FYI--the vegetarian option has just 270 calories). It comes with a dish of chicken served over rice noodles (I recommend asking for no rice noodles--they taste like styrofoam) and another dish filled with bibb lettuce (serving as the wrap), vegetables and a few dipping sauces. Make your own wrap and enjoy!
Steamed Dumplings: There are several options for dumplings at P.F. Chang's. Be sure to order the steamed versions--the other option is pan fried in oil. Choose peking, shrimp or vegetarian and each dumpling will take you for between 50-65 calories! Yummy!
Soup: The egg drop soup and hot and sour soup are great options. Soup is a great way to start off a meal--but be sure to stick to the cup--unless you are splitting it with someone. The bowls of soup at P.F. Changs come in an enormous kettle and are way too much for one person. However, a cup of soup only contains 60 (egg drop) or 90 (hot and sour ) calories!
So you may ask--what should I stay away from? Avoid anything titled Kung Pao which translated to English means 1 million calories. If the menu doesn't detail how an option is prepared--ask your server. Pan-fried or pan-seared are the big no no's. Switch to steamed brown rice for added fiber--but know each half cup adds an extra 110 calories to your meal. Also--watch out for sodium - a big concern at Chinese restaurants. Be sure to choose the low sodium soy sauce when dipping in and save 500 mg of sodium per tablespoon. Calorie King has the nutrition information for lots of menu choices from P.F. Chang's--so check it out and next time you go, you will be prepared!
Email me at nicolesilva@weightthatsit.com
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