You can cut back on calories and sugars by choosing the 12-ounce kids size, but be aware that you will still take in 160 calories, 44g of carbs (and sugar), and 55mg of sodium. Transform tofu with a simple sauce of orange juice, tamari, ginger, sriracha, maple syrup, and cornstarch. Check out the power zone for your complex rack movements and strength training needs. The honey walnut shrimp certainly has some pros (such as heart-healthy fats from walnuts and shrimp), but it is the heaviest seafood entre overall at Panda Express. 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. It only has 1 gram of dietary fiber and is relatively high in sugar (7 grams) and total fat (19 grams), but it does come in under 300 calories for a relatively healthy meal. When it comes to choosing between Chick-fil-A and Panda Express you might not be sure which restaurant is better for your health. The version of this Chinese-American classic at Panda Express comes with 490 calories, 23g total fat, 5g saturated fat, 51g carbohydrate, 25g protein, and 820mg sodium. When losing weight and eating fewer calories, this can really help in feeling more comfortable throughout the day making it easier to stick with long term. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Chicken breast, string beans and onions wok-tossed in a mild ginger soy sauce. One side of Super Greens has just 90 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein making it a very healthy option! In general, choosing grilled meats over fried will save you calories and carbsand it is always smart to choose an entre that comes with veggies. Panda Express has plenty of entrees for pescatariansor anyone who enjoys Chinese-inspired seafood. If you are eating this meal before or after a workout, you can further customize it by ordering half steamed rice and half super greens. Add the bell pepper, onion, and celery. 121 reviews of Panda Express "Best Chinese food east of the Salinas river! When we repeat this process of damaging and repairing our muscles, this will lead to muscular and strength growth. Advertisement. This leafy green superfood is packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, and B vitamins. Add the second tablespoon of oil to the pan. With just 90 calories you'll get 6 grams of filling fiber and 5 grams of protein. 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. Thechocolate chunk cookieat Panda Express is for heartier appetites. Your post workout meal is just as important as your pre-workout meal. Specifically analyzing fried rice and chow mein of panda express provides for an in depth comparison that highlights the similarity of calories, fat, sodium, and carbs. Entrees are high in protein and fat, both of which will keep you full and satisfied longer after you eat. If you are bulking, a plate with one grilled and one beef entree and rice will provide a high protein and carb but moderate fat meal. This dish includes a healthful medley of broccoli, kale, and cabbage. We want to keep fats lower around a workout so we feel as energized as possible during our workout. He also created a mandatory program for employees, The Panda Way, requiring a healthy lifestyle, continuous learning, and interpersonal relationship skills. Which is Healthier: McDonalds or Subway? xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); But if you are all about spicy food, this might be your new favorite thing from Panda Express. Plus, the brown rice has 4 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. The Chick-fil-A sandwich would be a better choice for someone looking to maximize protein intake for muscle gain and also keep fat low. The beef fast food industry has had so much time to evolve . However, the protein content of the Chick-fil-A sandwich is double, and the sandwich is lower in fat. The most well-rounded beef choice on the Panda Express menu is broccoli beef. That protein is largely thanks to the shrimp, which is one of the most protein-dense animals out there that we regularly consume. Below are our top suggestions for the most and the least nutritious options in each menu category. Healthy Benefits Rx. Panda Express menu items have significantly less sodium on average than Chick-fil-As menu items. You can order the super greens at Panda Express as either an entre, side dish, or kids meal. While many quick dining meals are loaded with calories, saturated fat, and sodium, not all of them are "diet disasters." And if youre looking for something lighter, you are in luck. Were a team of athletes, nutrition coaches, and registered dieticians who love to share our passion for working out and eating healthy. Panda Express is the winner for having lower-calorie entrees. The vegetables provide fiber and micronutrients. } else { At Panda Express, grilled teriyaki or asian chicken are the leanest protein options resulting in the lowest fat meal most ideal for post-workout. The orange chicken cub meal will probably appeal to kids palates, but doesnt offer a great nutrition profile. Lauren Graham is a Precision Nutrition Level 1 certified nutrition coach. I was actually surprised to find out that Panda Express was lower in sodium because of a commonly held belief that Asian dishes are high in sodium. So if you know you want chicken but you are not a fan of mushrooms, there are still plenty of options to choose from. Found the ultimate cheap fast food hack with over 120g of protein over 110g Go to Panda Express and get a bigger plate, which comes with one side and three entress. Now, be sure to sign up for our newsletter! Panda Express is quite transparent about the fact that they dont cater much to special diets. It would be much harder to stay within this range eating at Chick-fil-A compared with Panda Express. But the fiber still falls short of daily recommendations and the sodium levels are quite high. (732) 951-1002. However, keep in mind that cross-contamination is possible, because shared utensils and cooking equipment could introduce allergens into any dish. You want to consume at a minimum two servings of carbs, with a serving being the size of a closed fist. The String Bean Chicken Breast dish from Panda Express is lower in calories, carbs and sodium than the Grilled Chicken Sandwich from Chick-fil-A. It is, after all, one of the most popular options at Panda Express. To further customize this meal for eating around a workout, I recommend ordering a full serving of steamed rice for your side. Learn more: Eating at Chick-Fil-A When Bulking (6 Bodybuilding Meals). Panda Express doesnt provide information about how often its produce is restocked. The Tangy Shrimp will be your best low-cal bet at 140 calories and only 4.8 grams of fat, while the Crispy Shrimp is the highest calorie option at 260 calories and 13 grams of fat. Protein is what our body will utilize to repair the damaged muscles. The Kung Pao Shrimp is also a good choice with 230 calories, 14 grams of fat, and 13 grams of protein total. 9/2/2022. Here are some frequently asked questions for eating at Panda Express if you workout: Yes, you can eat at Panda Express and still lose weight. Yes you can eat at Panda Express and gain muscle. Marinated chicken tends to have more calories due to all the sugar added to the marinade sauce. The real meat of the Panda Express menu is in the form of chicken. The picture below depicts what the grilled chicken actually looks like. If you order orange chicken, consider skipping an appetizer or boosting fiber by choosing brown rice. With just over 100 calories, the Sizzling Shrimp (shrimp mixed with baby broccoli in a sweet & sour sauce) is one of the healthier options at Panda Express. At Panda Express, grilled teriyaki or asian chicken are the leanest protein options resulting in the lowest fat meal most ideal for post-workout. Get the best food tips and diet advice Published on September 7, 2021 | 11:20 AM. It is then tossed in a spicy black pepper sauce, so if you are somewhat averse to heat, you may want to sit this one out. By selecting two entrees that are grilled and not deep fried, this keeps the fat to a moderate serving size. Because the teriyaki sauce is added to the grilled chicken, you can always ask for the sauce to come on the side or simply add less if you want to cut back even further on the calories and sodium. One of the newer menu items to be added at Panda Express, the Sizzling Shrimp brings the heat while still offering diners a healthy meal option. More. Panda Express is a fast casual Asian restaurant. Let's have a closer look at their menu so you can make the smartest meal choices. Again, this is helpful to make the process of consuming less calories, more comfortable and enjoyable. That is not all that bad, considering you are eating at a fast food establishment. The sodium content of this meal can be reduced by 230mg by removing the cheese from the Egg White Grill. Marisa Moore is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a BS in nutrition science and MBA in marketing. Don't missDangerous Side Effects of Having High Blood Pressure. Try focusing on meals that provide protein and fiber while minimizing sodium, sugar, and saturated fat. It also has one of the lowest sodium counts of any entre on the menu, clocking in at 520 milligrams. Of the four, the chicken potstickers make the best choice. Pineapple Chicken Breast 220 cal, 1.5g sat fat, 8g total fat, 640mg . Useful 1. Shannon Clark is a freelance health and fitness writer located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 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. Should you eat at Panda Express before a workout? With its menu centered around Asian cuisine, Panda Express became a food court staple after its first location opened in Glendale, California, in 1983. 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 Winner: Panda Express EatThis.com is part of the Dotdash Meredith Publishing Family. The Fitness Factory Health Club of Somerset is a state-of-the-art, hospital approved health and wellness center. ), ask for steamed vegetables instead of white rice or fried rice. Yes, you should eat at Panda Express before a workout. Read our, Meeting Dietary Needs at Asian Restaurants, What to Eat at Subway: Healthy Menu Choices and Nutrition Facts, What to Eat at P.F. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Verywell Fit's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Id also love you (more than a cute panda!) The average entree at Panda Express has 705mg of sodium, whereas the average entree at Chick-fil-A has 1150mg (more than 50% greater). ROSEMEAD, Calif., Nov. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Panda Express, the . Plus, the String Bean Chicken Breast only has 4 grams of sugar. Panda Express is healthier than Chick-fil-A because most menu items are lower in calories, fat, and sodium. The grilled chicken is an excellent lean source of protein. The Black Pepper Chicken at Panda Express has marinated chicken, celery, and onions. Fat slows down our digestion process, meaning it will take longer for our body to digest and absorb the carbs and protein that we just consumed. Looking for the healthiest meal at Panda Express? 1,100 Calorie Domino's Bulking Meal Plan. Why it made the cut: This bowl combines protein, whole grains and vegetables for a balanced meal. 2 Sticky Vegan Orange Chicken. The chicken is then breaded by hand in the restaurant for Chick-fil-As Original Chicken menu items. We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To further customize this meal for before or after a workout, opt for grilled teriyaki chicken as it has less fat than teriyaki chicken. Pair it with a side of Super Greens and you have yourself a nutrient-dense meal, which is not something you can often say about other fast food establishments. Research shows that quercetin may help reduce inflammation, fight cancer, and lower the risk of heart disease and hypertension. Can you eat healthy at panda express? Saturated fat and cholesterol are kept to a minimum at 2.5 grams and 50 milligrams, respectively. The vegetables for the salads and for toppings come from deliveries of fresh produce that arrive at the store multiple times a week. They come included with your meal at Panda Express, so you do not even have to shell out any extra cash to enjoy them. Learn more: Eating at Panda Express When Bulking or Cutting (6 Meals). You should be aiming for at least two servings of carbs, with a serving measuring approximately the size of a closed fist. There are also several seafood dishes (some vegetarians also include fish in their diet). 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. Most of the dishes take almost the recommended daily sodium intake. The Winner: Tie It is a great way to stick to healthy eating while still enjoying the convenience and tastiness of fast casual dining. All Panda Express locations offer the typical array of fountain drinks like soda and iced tea. Chick-fil-A is the winner for the best quality meat. Panda Express can be deceptive. My next meal recommendation from Panda Express is the Shanghai Angus Steak and Super Greens for a lower-carb meal option that is high in protein. If you follow a specific diet or have serious food allergies or intolerances, however, youll likely need to be careful about dining at this chain. Although many of Panda Express dishes are high in sodium and sugar, you can still find nutritious choices on their menu. That said, Chick-fil-A main menu items are higher in protein than Panda Express, which is usually a positive for helping to meet protein targets. They don't provide a great deal of protein at 3 and 4 grams respectively, but as long as you're choosing another dish that has slightly more protein this shouldn't be an issue for you. How to order healthy options at Panda Express to eat healthy and lose weight while eating Panda Express. If selected a grilled meat entree, both options will provide you with a sufficient amount of protein. Cool. Sarah Garone, NDTR, is a freelance health and wellness writer who runs a food blog. Since rice is high in carbs and our body uses carbs quickly as energy, you wont find yourself full for as long after you eat. This meal has 1,563 calories with 136g of protein, 122g of carbohydrates and 59g of fat. Sarah Garone, NDTR, is a freelance health and wellness writer who runs a food blog. All of the additives that come from frying, while tasty, are a major contributing factor to one's risk for heart disease. One of the popular seafood options on the menu is the Honey Walnut Shrimp; a premium option that will cost you an additional $1.25. Get the best food tips and diet It is a little higher on the caloric scale than some of the other options in our list, and it technically does not qualify as a Wok Smart menu item. The Super Greens are a mix of broccoli, kale, and cabbage tossed in garlic. Fat and protein will keep you feeling full and satisfied for a longer period of time after eating. Adding shanghai angus steak as the second entree provides more fat and protein to your meal. One could easily argue that the benefits associated with shrimp are worth the few extra calories that come from the fact that it is deep fried. One fortune cookie at Panda Express has just 20 calories, 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 5g carbohydrate, 2g of sugar, 0g protein, and 0mg sodium. Grilled teriyaki and asian chicken are the leanest protein sources at Panda Express making them the best option to eat before a workout. Skip the Diet Soda Not healthy any way. Specifically, the Chicken Potstickers have only 160 calories, and they also contain fewer carbohydrates, fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol than the Cream Cheese Rangoons. Just as the string bean chicken makes a healthy choice for adults, its a nutritious, not-too-sweet option for kids, too. Ordering a meal with two entrees will make sure youre feeling full for hours after you eat. Our body uses carbs quickly as energy, so you wont find yourself as full for as long after you eat when eating a higher carb food like rice. The Winner: Panda Express As expected, the grilled chicken sandwich is of higher quality, so it's not surprising that it's a little more expensive. Wed suggest the string bean chicken breast. It is also one of the lower-sugar items, at 7g per serving. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The meal at Panda Express that has the most calories is a bigger plate with orange chicken for all three entrees and chow mein as the side. However, the Chick-fil-A side salad has less than half the sodium content of the Panda Express Super Greens side. If you are losing weight, a plate with grilled entrees and super greens will provide a high protein and moderate to high-fat meal. 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. Chick-fil-A does not currently have any plant-based entrees. This is helpful when bulking to ensure you are hungry enough to eat the high calories required. Chick-fil-A also has a very limited selection of options that are suitable for vegetarians or vegans. The Super Greens is a great option to add to any meal from Panda Express to add micronutrients and fiber for minimal added calories (only 45 calories in the side dish size). Its much harder to find information about where the protein sources and vegetables for Panda Express come from, which leads me to believe that they are more likely to be using conventional products such as animals that are raised using antibiotics. You will find you have more moderate energy for a longer period of time, instead of the quick burst of intense energy needed for a workout. 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