One serving of Mongolian Beef contains a whopping 1330 calories, which makes it a High-Calorie Food. Despite this, it remains to be a popular dish in American-Chinese cuisine.

Mongolian Beef is a dish that consists of thinly sliced beef, fried until crispy, and coated in a sweet and savory sauce. It is typically served with steamed rice or noodles.

In this article, we will discuss Mongolian Beef in detail, its ingredients, preparation, caloric breakdown, effects of consuming High-Calorie Foods, and healthy alternatives you can opt for. We will also provide tips for those that want to enjoy Mongolian beef while still maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.

What is Mongolian Beef?

Mongolian Beef is a popular dish in American-Chinese cuisine, which actually doesn't have any roots in Mongolia. The dish consists of thinly sliced beef, fried until crispy, and coated in a sweet and savory sauce. It is typically paired with steamed rice or noodles, making the dish a complete meal. The dish is also known for its tender and juicy beef, which is often marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, and ginger before being cooked. The thin slices of beef are then fried in a hot wok with vegetables such as onions, bell peppers, and scallions. The dish is finished off with a sticky sauce made from a combination of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch.

Ingredients of Mongolian Beef

The ingredients used in Mongolian Beef include thinly sliced flank steak, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, onion, bell peppers, and scallions. For cooking, you will also need vegetable oil and water. Flank steak is the most commonly used cut of beef for Mongolian Beef. It is best to use flank steak that has been sliced against the grain into thin strips to make the beef more tender. The soy sauce and hoisin sauce provide the dish's main source of flavor, while the brown sugar adds sweetness to the sauce.

How is Mongolian Beef Prepared?

To prepare Mongolian Beef, start by marinating the thinly sliced flank steak in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, and ginger for about 30 minutes. Once marinated, heat a wok or large skillet over high heat and add vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced beef and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes or until it is cooked to your liking. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, add more vegetable oil if needed, followed by sliced onions, bell peppers, and scallions. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Add the beef back into the pan, followed by the sauce made from soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for about 1-2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Caloric Breakdown of Mongolian Beef

As mentioned earlier, 1 serving of Mongolian Beef contains 1330 calories, making it a High-Calorie Food. The caloric breakdown of Mongolian Beef is as follows: Calories: 1330 Protein: 44 grams, Fat: 87 grams, Carbohydrates: 99 grams

Effects of Consuming High-Calorie Foods

Consuming High-Calorie Foods like Mongolian Beef can contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Moreover, diets high in calories, saturated fats, and added sugars can lead to a variety of health issues, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammation.

Healthy Alternatives to Mongolian Beef

If you want to indulge in Mongolian Beef but also want to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, you can opt for these healthier alternatives: - Use lean cuts of beef such as sirloin or tenderloin, and skip the deep-frying. - Use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari, and reduce the amount of sugar in the sauce.

Tips for Reducing Caloric Intake When Eating Mongolian Beef

Here are some tips that can help you reduce your caloric intake when eating Mongolian Beef: - Share your meal with a friend to reduce your portion size. - Opt for steamed vegetables or a salad instead of rice or noodles.

The Role of Exercise in Balancing Caloric Intake

Exercise is an essential component when it comes to balancing your caloric intake. Regular physical activity can help you burn off excess calories and maintain a healthy weight. If you indulge in High-Calorie Foods like Mongolian Beef, make sure to engage in some form of physical activity to burn off those excess calories. Examples of exercises you can do include brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming.

Other Factors to Consider When Eating Mongolian Beef

Besides the caloric content of Mongolian Beef, there are other factors you need to consider when consuming this dish. For instance: - Mongolian Beef may contain high levels of sodium, which can increase your blood pressure and lead to water retention. - Mongolian Beef may also contain MSG, which some people are sensitive to and may cause headaches, upset stomach, or allergic reactions.

Conclusion

Mongolian Beef may be a tasty dish, but it is also a High-Calorie Food that can have adverse effects on your health if consumed in large amounts. If you want to enjoy Mongolian Beef and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, opt for healthier alternatives, reduce your portion sizes, and engage in regular physical activity to burn off excess calories. By making these small yet significant changes, you can still enjoy your favorite foods while also maintaining a healthy weight and reducing your risk of chronic diseases.