Is it true that Chinese food is worse for you than McDonald's?

Question

A major idiot I know says that I'm better off eating at McDonald's than going out for Chinese. He says Consumer Reports says so. Is this true? As far as I can tell, CR just says to be careful not to choose the deep fried stuff at the Chinese restaurant.

More importantly, can you refer me to some kind of article or data that explains the truth?

Answer 1

Only those prepared in heavy oils or laden with MSG. Otherwise, the food is good, loaded with veggies and grains.

Answer 2

Okay McDonald's is really bad for you because of all the bad thing that are put into it and that goes for any bad food. I'm sure that there are some Chinese restaurants that are worse than McDonald's, but that is the same for any kind of food. I would say just look out for ratings (only eat if there is an A no B, C, and eww D) and don't order things that obviously have high fat content (fried, creamy and go for seamed or roasted foods (seamed Salomon is my favorite :-))). With these tips you'll eat really healthy and yummy food and you'll feel great!

Answer 3

I wouldn't expect to find one honestly. But any afficionado of
good Chinese cuisine, knows that even tho the majority of dishes are vegitable orientated, alot of the ingredients aren't
all that good for you. As they are usually stir fried and tossed with a bit of sesame oil and seasonings and soy sauce blended in, or their 'secret sauce'. It's usually high in sodium so that is not good for anyone (but who eats Chinese often?).
You've got noodles for your carbs, the sauce too, and they're in the rice and peanuts and almonds or cashews too. There's a high fat content in many of the dishes also. And of course, the shrimp, scallops and other deep fried items are not heart friendly foods either since they are also shellfish.
So I would have to acknowlege that many of the things they
use to prepare those wonderful dishes are a bit unhealthy
for someone with heart problems and should probably
be avoided. But the same holds true for someone choosing
to eat a burger also. Especially a cheese or bacon burger
for double trouble with fats. They are often fried, more so than
broiled, and the cheese is full of salt, and fat. And that goes
with the burger patty also. Then you've got your mayo or
special sauce and those both have high fat content and salt,
and if there's pickles added, more salt. Then 30 carbs for
the bun, which accounts for the sugar content in the bread.
Now that I'm thinking about it, perhaps there is such an
article as your friends' stated. Now I'll really feel guilty the
next time I'm browsing through my favorite Asian buffet.:)

Answer 4

Here's a link that contains nutritional information for Chinese food, McDonald's and other kinds of fast food:
http://www.weightlossforall.com/fast%20food.htm

So is eating at McDonald's in China like the worst thing in the world for you? And you might as well shoot yourself after eating there?

Answer 5

I think it generally depends on what kind of chinese food you eat. Nothing deep fried is ever good for you. Otherwise, the veggies, steamed stuff and soup are pretty good. My grandma eats chinese food everyday &she's in really good shape for an old lady.

Answer 6

Yeah it depends on what you get....anything deep fried or covered in a thick brown sauce is loaded with fat and sodium. Get something steamed. The Chinese food we eat around here is Americanized, you won't find General Tso's and all that other crap in China.

Answer 7

eating chinese food in a long period of time can be essentially bad for you and your health however eating mcdonalds in a shorter period of time is MUCH worse because all the grease and fat from the foods are enough to clog arteries and cause you to gain a moderate to large amount of weight.

Answer 8

Not worse, just as bad. The sauces and the salt are just as bad as all the fat in the food at McDonalds....

Answer 9

Only those prepared in heavy oils or laden with MSG. Otherwise, the food is good, loaded with veggies

Answer 10

yea well that major idot is right,because chinese food is way more fatting than McDonalds food