One of the fun things about Asian food is when you’re with friends and everyone gets to sample a little of everything. But you don’t always have the time, or budget, for such a smorgasbord. Fortunately, Asian food at the supermarket has come a long way since the canned chicken chow mein of the 1980s. Between the frozen and international aisles, quite an assortment of options can be found to satisfy your craving for some sweet and sour or spicy sauces. But how many of those meal choices fit well into a healthy eating plan?

Veggies and tofu or edamame are frequently used as staple ingredients, so that’s a plus. However, those yummy sauces are often sugar- and salt-laden. While no one needs large quantities of added sugar and sodium in their diets on a regular basis, if these are of special concern for you, be sure to look for meals with lower levels of these nutrients. Another option would be to split the meal in half and enjoy it as a side dish alongside lower sodium and added sugar containing items.

Helpful hints: Here are a few ideas to help your quick and easy Asian meal fit into your healthy eating plan.

(Environmental Nutrition is the award-winning independent newsletter written by nutrition experts dedicated to providing readers up-to-date, accurate information about health and nutrition in clear, concise English. For more information, visit www.environmentalnutrition.com.)

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