Regardless, if you are craving Panda Express, you should know that there are many options to enjoy that are healthier than some of the other fast food establishments out there. This option is high in protein to help keep you feeling full, but lower in fat and calories than options with whole eggs. Now you can see why it has 13 grams of total fat and 4 grams of saturated fat! Of the four, the chicken potstickers make the best choice. Related Article: 12 Best Low Sodium Panda Express Meals (What To Eat). Although many of Panda Express dishes are high in sodium and sugar, you can still find nutritious choices on their menu. 11 Of The Healthiest Things You Can Order At Panda Express. The addition of a fruit cup makes an overall balanced meal. She works with athletes and active individuals looking to improve performance and develop healthy nutritional habits and behaviors. Heres how they compare. These small-bite treats end your meal on a simple, slightly sweet notefor a minimum of calories. However, Panda Express does have Eggplant Tofu as an entree featuring a plant-based source of protein, whereas Chick-fil-A only has salads and side dishes for plant-based meals, without a protein source. Teriyaki sauce is a popular crowd-pleasing condiment, and customers love the fact that the chicken is hand-sliced to order - so you know it is ultra-fresh. The sodium content of this meal can be reduced by 230mg by removing the cheese from the Egg White Grill. It is a great way to stick to healthy eating while still enjoying the convenience and tastiness of fast casual dining. To further cut down your calories at Panda Express (and at any Chinese restaurant! Panda Express is the winner for vegan/vegetarian options. 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With just 220 calories you'll get a whopping 13 grams of filling protein, which helps you meet your daily veggie needs. Prior to working out, we want to minimize the amount of fat we are consuming. (732) 951-1002. This meal has 890 calories, 67g protein (30%), 79g carbohydrates (36%) and 34g fat (34%). Panda Express has only one menu item with no sodium (plain steamed white rice), and its highest-sodium menu item is the Ginger Steamed Fish with 1990mg. Fans of the dish will argue that it is well worth the cost, with the tempura-battered shrimp coated in honey and topped with glazed walnuts. Get the best food tips and diet You can order the super greens at Panda Express as either an entre, side dish, or kids meal. Here's what a health professional would order at the popular fast food chain. Opting for white rice also means losing out on a lot of the naturally occurring nutrients that you find in brown rice. Saute for 3-4 minutes, until tender. 2023 The Jeans Fit Beloved Theme by Restored 316, The Healthiest Meal Options at Panda Express, Healthy Sides to Add to Your Meal at Panda Express, Panda Express Nutritional Info for Popular Entrees. The average entree at Panda Express has 705mg of sodium, whereas the average entree at Chick-fil-A has 1150mg (more than 50% greater). That said, it's extremely high in sodium, which means its not an ideal choice for anyone watching their salt intake. That is quite achievable as long as you make sure to prominently include them in your lunch and dinner. Courtesy of Panda Express. The Winner: Panda Express One side of Super Greens has just 90 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein making it a very healthy option! This meal has 765 calories, 67g of protein (34%), 55g of carbohydrates (28%) and 34g of fat (38%). Neither choice has much to offer in terms of nutrition, but for fewer calories, fat, and carbohydrates, fortune cookies clearly win. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { It might cost you slightly more to add this premium entre to your bowl or plate, but Panda Express' Black Pepper Angus Steak really packs in the flavor. Its almost always a good idea to give veggies prime real estate on your platewhich is why the super greens side gets our vote as the best side dish at Panda Express. 170 cal, 1.5g sat fat, 7g total fat, 720mg sodium, 13g carbs, 5g sugars, 2g fiber, 15g protein. With a side of super greens, it makes a diabetes-friendly meal that is satisfying and flavorful. So far, neither Chick-fil-A or Panda Express has brought on a plant-based meat alternative. To customize this meal for eating around a workout, I recommend ordering a full serving of steamed rice as your side. Groundedtoearth 8 yr. ago. "Although the shrimp is breaded, it's lightly breaded enough that the calorie and fat content is still reasonable," says Cleary. Sizzling Shrimp. Specifically, the Chicken Potstickers have only 160 calories, and they also contain fewer carbohydrates, fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol than the Cream Cheese Rangoons. Big on flavor and low on calories, this Angus steak, wok-seared delight is loaded with baby broccoli, onions, red bell peppers, and mushroomsall of which are tossed in a savory black pepper sauce. Let's have a closer look at their menu so you can make the smartest meal choices. 7 Healthiest Foods at Japanese Restaurants, The Lowest Calorie Desserts at Dairy Queen (DQ), Link to Panda Express nutritional info for the entire menu. They are the highest in sodium and lowest in protein, with 190 calories, 8g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 27g carbohydrate, 3g protein, and 520mg sodium. If you have a hankering for Panda Express but you don't want to wreck your diet, I have some dietitian-approved picks from this fast-casual Chinese food favorite. It also packs in a whopping 33 grams of protein, making it one of the best menu options to choose if that metric is important to you and your diet. A healthy meal option at Panda Express is the Black Pepper Angus Steak. Answer (1 of 6): Panda Express is not healthy at all for people with hypertension. Craving Chinese food? However, the shrimp itself is high in protein as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a healthy option to include in your diet if you are a big seafood fan. Ensure you avoid the fried rice as this has extra fat that impedes this process. For low-calorie or low-carb eating, steer clear of the Beijing beef. However, we dont want to overdo it. This includes the salad dressing. At Panda Express, the best option is to order a side of steamed rice. Chick-fil-As only menu items with no sodium are its fruit cups; its large chicken soup has the highest sodium content with a whopping 1920mg. Skip the Diet Soda Chick-fil-A and Panda Express do not offer the same types of meals, so a direct head-to-head comparison is not possible. The average entree at Chick-fil-A has 372 calories, but the average entree at Panda Express has only 294 calories. Lean white poultry meat is also lower in fat than some other meats, making it a great central component of any dish while still being quite versatile in how you dress it up. The healthier option for most individuals is the Panda Express Super Greens side dish because its lower in calories, carbs, and fat, and higher in protein than the Chick-fil-A side salad. 18g fat 85g carbs 16g protein mandarin chicken 310 cals 16g fat 8g carbs 34g protein The Winner: Panda Express Their produce is restocked frequently from local farms. What makes this entre even better is that it falls under the Wok Smart category, with only 210 calories as well as 19 grams of protein, 13 grams of carbohydrates, and 560 milligrams of sodium. Grilled teriyaki chicken is high in protein and contains a serving of fat. That said, if maximizing protein intake is your goal, then the chicken soup is a better choice. Menu picks: Broccoli and beef; grilled teriyaki chicken What an RD says: Morton names the broccoli and beef and . advice every day. The majority of their menu items are higher in calories, fats, and sodium than Panda Express. It actually has a plant-based entree, whereas Chick-fil-A does not have any entrees for vegans or vegetarians at all. Order a small (10-inch) chicken taco pizza. Is it really a Chinese meal if it doesnt end with a fortune cookie? Yes, it has more sodium than you should consume in a day (1260 MG), but it has 10 grams of protein and can be a perfect lunch option on a chilly fall or a cold winter day. You arent doing yourself a favor by ordering a diet soda. Finally sat down to eat. So next time you're going out for dinner to Panda Express, keep these points in mind. You want to consume at a minimum two servings of carbs, with a serving being the size of a closed fist. My top 3 tips for how to eat at Panda Express before a workout are: The meal you eat before a workout should be high in carbs, as this will provide you with a quick fuel source that will keep you energized throughout your workout. 3. By opting for and , you are able to save calories, without risking being hungry later. The adult portion contains 45 calories, 2g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 5g carbohydrate, 3g protein, and 130mg sodium. As a side dish, this menu item contains 90 calories, 3g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 10g carbohydrate, 5g fiber, 6g protein, and 260mg sodium. There are a few menu items that you will want to steer clear of however, as they contain more calories than you likely bargained for. But, all that physical activity can sometimes lead to aches and pains. At Panda Express, you have your choice of four appetizers: chicken egg rolls, chicken potstickers, cream cheese Rangoon, and vegetable spring rolls. You also could split the dish with a friend or family member and add on some super greens. The overall meal is 475 calories, 10.5g fat, 72g carbs, 22g protein, 7g fiber and 720mg of sodium. Panda Express menu items have significantly less sodium on average than Chick-fil-As menu items. Customization allows you to tailor your meal based on your personal preferences and health and fitness goals. Panda Express is the winner for having lower-calorie entrees. The Mushroom Chicken also comes with zucchini, another veggie that is dense with vitamins and other nutrients. Which is Healthier: McDonalds or Burger King? What Is It Like To Work At Panda Express? Studies show that they can help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and even slow cognitive decline! Laura Semotiuk is a Precision Nutrition Level 1 certified nutrition coach. day. Among fast-casual Asian restaurants, Panda Express stands out for its flavorful, lower-priced cuisine. This meal is high in protein from the chicken and is also a great source of micronutrients and fiber from the vegetables in the salad. Potstickers from Panda Express are pan-seared, not deep fried, so you would be cutting down on the calories and fat. To make it healthier, ask for the entre without the black pepper sauce. Once it's a light foam, drop in your shrimp. By ordering super greens instead of rice as your side, you are saving yourself 285 calories and 77g of carbohydrates. Unlike many other fast-food joints, Panda Express offers steamed veggies as a side, making it easier to meet your daily vegetable goals. All the chicken meals do contain fewer than 400 calories, but some of them rank higher on the fat content so are something you'll want to avoid. At Panda Express, a small (22 oz) adult-size black tea contains just 5 calories, 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 2g carbohydrate, 0g protein, and 20mg sodium. The Panda Express Super Greens side dish is lower in calories, carbs and fat, and higher in protein, than the Chick-fil-A side salad. They are located in all 50 states. However, keep in mind that cross-contamination is possible, because shared utensils and cooking equipment could introduce allergens into any dish. Helping gardeners take care of their bodies while taking care of their gardens. (No wonder its sauce is so finger-licking sweet!) My top 3 healthy meal recommendations from Chick-fil-A are: A healthy breakfast option from Chick-fil-A is the Egg White Grill. So here is what I get: Fried Rice: 570 cals. Keep reading to check out the best healthy options at Panda Express. Another healthy meal option from Chick-fil-A is the Grilled Market Salad with Toppings. You dont get as much control over what goes over your meal as you would at home, or even a chain like Subway, but there are definitely options to tailor your meal to your needs. The fake sugars in diet soda will mess up your cravings and make you hungrier. Saturated fat and cholesterol are kept to a minimum at 2.5 grams and 50 milligrams, respectively. All in all, the Grilled Teriyaki Chicken contains 275 calories per serving, with 470 milligrams of sodium. One side of Chow Mein at Panda Express had 510 calories and 20 grams of fat! Keep in mind that this dish alone will likely not be enough to help you stay full. Did you know that 1 of every 3 American adults have hypert. While many quick dining meals are loaded with calories, saturated fat, and sodium, not all of them are "diet disasters." Your post workout meal is just as important as your pre-workout meal. For only 190 calories, the String Bean Chicken Breast Packs 14 grams of protein and 4 grams of dietary fiber to keep you full. 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