1 serving (5 oz) General Tsao Chicken contains approximately 250 Calories. If you're someone who is calorie-conscious or trying to keep track of their daily caloric intake, it's important to know how many calories you're consuming with each meal. In this article, we'll take a closer look at General Tsao Chicken and its nutritional information.

General Tsao Chicken is a popular Chinese dish that is made with deep-fried chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. While it may be a tasty meal, it's important to note that it's not the healthiest option due to its high calorie, Sodium, and Fat content. However, with some adjustments, you can still enjoy this dish while making it healthier.

In this article, we'll explore some practical tips and strategies to reduce the calorie, Sodium, and Fat content of General Tsao Chicken, while still retaining its delicious flavors.

Calories in a General Tsao Chicken serving

A 5 oz serving of General Tsao Chicken contains approximately 250 Calories. This high calorie content is largely due to the deep-fried chicken and the sweet and spicy sauce that coats it. To put it in perspective, a 1500 calorie/day diet would allow for only 6 oz of General Tsao Chicken per day without exceeding caloric intake limits. It's important to keep in mind that this calorie count is for just one serving of General Tsao Chicken. If you're eating it as part of a meal with other dishes, the total calories will add up quickly.

General Tsao Chicken serving size

The standard Serving size for General Tsao Chicken is 5 oz. However, depending on the restaurant, the portion size may vary. Additionally, if you're making General Tsao Chicken at home, you can adjust the serving size to fit your dietary needs. It's important to keep in mind that larger serving sizes will contain more Calories, Sodium, and Fat. If you're looking to make the dish healthier, consider reducing the serving size and pairing it with a side of vegetables or a salad.

General Tsao Chicken ingredients

The ingredients for General Tsao Chicken typically include chicken breast, cornstarch, soy sauce, rice vinegar, tomato paste, honey, Sugar, garlic, ginger, dried red chili peppers, and vegetable oil for frying. It's important to note that some recipes may include additional ingredients, so it's always a good idea to read the ingredient list carefully to ensure that you're not accidentally consuming something that you're allergic to or prefer not to eat.

General Tsao Chicken and sodium

One serving of General Tsao Chicken contains approximately 900mg of Sodium. This high sodium content can be attributed to the use of soy sauce in the recipe, as well as the added salt in the sauce. Consuming high levels of sodium can lead to high blood pressure and other health problems, so it's important to be mindful of your sodium intake. To reduce the sodium content of General Tsao Chicken, consider using low-sodium soy sauce, reducing the amount of salt in the recipe, or swapping out some of the sodium-rich ingredients for healthier alternatives.

General Tsao Chicken and fat

One serving of General Tsao Chicken contains approximately 14g of Fat. This high fat content is largely due to the use of vegetable oil for frying the chicken and the Sugar and honey in the sauce. Consuming high levels of fat can lead to weight gain and other health problems, so it's important to be mindful of your fat intake. To reduce the fat content of General Tsao Chicken, consider using an air fryer or baking the chicken instead of frying it, or reducing the amount of sugar and honey in the sauce.

General Tsao Chicken and protein

One serving of General Tsao Chicken contains approximately 18g of Protein. This high protein content is largely due to the use of chicken breast in the recipe. Consuming adequate levels of protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass, so the high protein content in General Tsao Chicken can be beneficial for those looking to increase their protein intake. However, it's important to keep in mind the high calorie, Sodium, and Fat content that comes along with it.

General Tsao Chicken and carbohydrates

One serving of General Tsao Chicken contains approximately 25g of Carbohydrates. This high carbohydrate content is largely due to the Sugar and honey in the sauce. Consuming high levels of carbohydrates, especially those that come from added sugars, can lead to weight gain and other health problems. To reduce the carbohydrate content of General Tsao Chicken, consider reducing the amount of sugar and honey in the sauce.

General Tsao Chicken and fiber

One serving of General Tsao Chicken contains approximately 0.5g of Fiber. This low fiber content is largely due to the lack of fibrous ingredients in the recipe. Consuming adequate levels of fiber is important for digestive health and can help you feel full and satisfied after meals. To increase the fiber content of General Tsao Chicken, consider adding some fibrous vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers to the recipe.

General Tsao Chicken and sugar

One serving of General Tsao Chicken contains approximately 22g of Sugar. This high sugar content is largely due to the sugar and honey in the sauce. Consuming high levels of sugar, especially those that come from added sources, can lead to weight gain and other health problems. To reduce the sugar content of General Tsao Chicken, consider reducing the amount of sugar and honey in the sauce or looking for alternative recipes that use natural sweeteners like stevia or honey.

How to make General Tsao Chicken healthier

There are several ways to make General Tsao Chicken healthier while still retaining its delicious flavors. Here are a few tips:

• Use boneless, skinless chicken breast instead of dark meat to reduce the Fat content.
• Swap out the vegetable oil for a healthier oil like olive oil or avocado oil.
• Reduce the amount of Sugar and honey in the sauce or use natural sweeteners like stevia or honey.
• Use low-Sodium soy sauce to reduce the sodium content.
• Add some fibrous vegetables like broccoli or bell pepper to increase the Fiber content.