Explore the Orient the Healthy Way

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Hungry for Chinese food? Wok this way. When most people think of healthy cuisine, Chinese food isn't the first thing that comes to mind, which is ironic. Traditional Asian fare actually is chock-full of vegetables, and meat and chicken are treated almost like condiments. Asian cuisine draws upon rice, beans, fish, nuts, grains and seeds as its main protein sources. Another key component is soy, such as tofu, miso and tempeh, which helps lower cholesterol and prevent cancers. But in the United States, it's a whole different bowl game. We've Americanized Chinese food and made it easier on the lips but heavier on the hips. For starters, prepare to pooh-pooh that platter. Fantail shrimp, egg rolls, spring rolls, fried rice, honey garlic chicken and other staples are hardly diet-friendly foods. In fact, they're loaded with fat and calories.