Heather Little-White, Contributor
Rice sticks are a great meal option.
As the world focuses on the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Jamaicans have reason to celebrate the magnificent performance of our athletes.
To keep the mood, the celebration could be dining Chinese style as you vicariously transport your dinner party to the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing.
Chinese cuisine has made significant contributions to the diversity of the global palate. It has earned its place as a healthy alternative because of the lavish use of vegetables, rice and noodles. Chinese cuisine reflects the cooking styles, ingredients and flavourings of many regions in that country, including Peking (Beijing), Canton, Hunan or Szechuan. Beijing in the northeast is known for its skilful, subtle use of seasonings.
Cantonese-style cooking from the southeast features roasted and grilled meat, steamed dishes, stir-fried dishes with mild flavours. Hunan and Szechuan foods are usually hot and spicy and may be a little higher in fat.
Balanced meals
Chinese meals are usually balanced because of the emphasis on noodles or rice to provide carbohydrates, and vegetables are available in many forms.
Vegetables provide quality fibre and vitamins A and C. Tofu is a high-protein, low-fat and cholesterol-free ingredient. It is important to monitor the use of fat and sodium in Chinese cooking. Deep-fat frying is used for many dishes. For sodium-sensitive persons, remember the dishes use sodium-based sauces for flavour. You can check if the restaurant uses monosodium glutamate (MSG). You may ask for light soy sauce that you can add or you may choose dishes with sweet-and-sour plum sauce or duck sauce that has less sodium. As you celebrate Olympic success, try different forms of Chinese food and make your dining moments as memorable as they can be.
Heather Little-White, PhD, is a nutrition and lifestyle consultant in the Corporate Area. Send comments to editor@gleanerjm.com or fax 922-6223.
Choosing the right dish
Fried tofu, served with noodles, steamed carrots and callaloo. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
As you dine Chinese style during the Games and beyond, here are some useful tips to enhance your dining experience.
Enjoy clear, flavourful broth as a starter to the main dish. Egg-drop soup and hot-and-sour soups are higher in cholesterol because eggs are included but the individual serving has minimal amounts of cholesterol.
Appetisers are tempting but go easy on items like fried crab and deep-fat fried spring rolls (egg rolls is the term used in America). You may order steamed spring rolls.
Enjoy the variety of Chinese vegetables besides the regular cabbage, carrot and bell pepper. Be prepared to try bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, pak choi, napa and snow peas.
Choose dishes that are braised, roasted, steamed and stir-fried to reduce the amount of fat consumed.
'Duck' the fat in Peking duck as the crispy skin is high in fat. Order plain rice or noodles as the fried versions are higher in fat and are flavoured with soy sauce.
Sweet-and-sour versions of meat, poultry and fish usually breaded and deep-fat fried.
Dim sum is the best thing for small bites. Dim sum means 'little heart' and small portions include steamed dumplings and spring rolls. Be careful of fried dim sum dishes.
Your fortune cookie is part of your oriental dining experience. It only has 15 calories.
