Some consider that Chinese food is has magical properties when it comes to health. They cite the lower instances of heart disease and some types of cancer among the Chinese. Others argue that the average Chinese meal is a nutritional catastrophe, mentioning high levels of salt, fat, additives and calories. Not surprisingly, both these extreme views neglect to mention a number of pertinent facts. As with any other cuisine, the nutritional benefits or otherwise are completely dependent on exactly what the meal contains.

Not only should the content of the dishes be considered when deciding whether a Chinese meal is good for you or not, but the quantity of food and the speed at which you eat it.

Some Chinese dishes, those that are deep fried for example, are certainly high in calories and saturated fat. A portion of six fried dumplings contains approximately 700 calories, a large proportion of which are contributed by the fat used to fry them. Bearing in mind that these dumplings wouldn't normally be the whole meal but just one dish of several, an average Chinese meal could well total as much as 1500 calories.

For anyone on a calorie controlled diet, the inclusion of deep fried food of any nationality in the daily intake is pretty much forbidden as it will use up too high a percentage of the daily allowance, leaving insufficient for healthy food such as cereal and fruit. Additionally, Chinese food is inclined to be filling at the time but an hour later the eater is hungry again which is definitely not good for the average dieter.

Don't despair though, if you're on a diet or just prefer a healthy lifestyle as there are plenty of Chinese dishes which are reasonably low in fat and calories and high in nutrients.

Numerous Chinese dishes are cooked with fresh vegetables, which even when stir fried only contribute a modest number of calories if the oil is used sparingly. Alternatively, steaming adds no additional calories and you have the natural flavour of the ingredients. Thus, the cooking technique is just as important as the ingredients when determining whether or not a dish is healthy or not.

Clear soups with wonton, egg or chicken strips are quite low calorie as are hot sour soups. Chicken is the healthiest of the meats on offer as it is the leanest. Avoid pork and duck at all costs if you are worried about saturated fats. Dishes which have been boiled or steamed are preferable to fried, including rice.

Soy is a primary constituent of both complete dishes and sauces. It is a rich source of plant protein and fibre as well as Vitamin B6 and isoflavones both of which are widely considered by experts to offer nutritional benefits. Vitamin B6 is an important building block for necessary amino acids and is used in specific vital neurotransmitters. Several studies have concluded that Isoflavones, which are believed to facilitate the lowering of LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, are an important contributor to the low rate of heart disease in Asian countries.

One can conclude, therefore, that as with any cuisine from any culture there is no hard and fast rule which states that Chinese food is good or bad for your health. As with all eating habits, everything in moderation and the lowest possible fat content should result in a healthy eating plan.