Chinese and Japanese meals focus on vegetables, rice, and noodles. But Asian foods are often stir-fried or deep fat fried with large amounts of oil, soy sauce, and monosodium glutamate (MSG), which can add a lot of fat and sodium. When enjoying Asian food, remember these tips to keep fat and sodium levels down:

• Order plain or steamed rice or noodles, rather than fried versions.
• Look for dishes that are roasted, simmered, steamed, or stir-fried (with little or no oil).
• Ask for no added MSG in the meal. (It is loaded with sodium!)
• Choose vegetarian dishes for your meal.
• Ask for sauces on the side or for a smaller amount to be added to food.
• Don’t be afraid to enjoy the fortune cookie. A single fortune cookies has just 15 calories and 0 grams of fat.

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