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How dim sum lovers can stay healthy – and avoid 900-calorie meals

Many dim sum dishes are calorie dense, and high in fat and sodium, which could be contributors to increased risk of heart disease.
Many dim sum dishes are calorie dense, and high in fat and sodium, which could be contributors to increased risk of heart disease.

Hongkongers regularly enjoy the traditional meal of choosing dishes from bamboo baskets, but many are high in fat and sodium

Eating dim sum is a part of most Hongkongers’ lifestyle.

Whether this delicious meal is enjoyed at the weekends, or during the lunch hour, many people enjoy the tradition of picking and choosing dishes from the wide selection of foods served in the steamy hot bamboo baskets.

However, what many people do not realise – or try to avoid thinking about – is that the average dim sum lunch – five steamed items, two fried items, two braised or stewed items and one dessert – can add up to about 900 calories.

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We often hear that steamed foods are healthier for us than those that are fried or deep-fried. Yet this recommendation does not necessarily apply to dim sum.

The ingredients included in dim sum are just as important as how the dish is prepared.

Many dim sum dishes are calorie dense, and high in fat and sodium, which could be contributors to the increased risk for heart disease
 

Many dim sum dishes are calorie dense, and high in fat and sodium, which could be contributors to increased risk of heart disease. That said, some dim sum dishes have hidden calories, fat and sodium, which may not be easily noticed.

Check out these tips if you are a frequent eater of dim sum and looking to avoid fatty choices and pick healthier options.

Obvious culprits:

Offal

Novella Lui
Novella Lui is a registered dietitian in Canada and is a freelance writer for Style SCMP. Based in Canada and Hong Kong, Novella is a registered dietitian who wears many hats: a bilingual nutrition and health writer, a speaker, and a subject matter expert for food companies, not-for-profit organisations and corporate wellness programmes. As a foodie and a globetrotter, she loves to seek new flavours and explore different cuisines. When she is not travelling, you can find her looking for hidden food gems in the neighbourhoods of Hong Kong, Vancouver and Toronto.