Chinese take-out will not help you get an Olympic-fit body

It seems that the ideal dish to eat while watching the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing is Chinese food. As an homage to the host country, you may be tempted to order out for some fast and cheap General Tzo's Chicken, Beef Lo Mien, and Chicken Fingers. But mark my words, if you continue to eat this food well after the Olympics has ended, you'll find your body better resembles that of Michael Moore than Michael Phelps.

A report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) reveals that Chinese food is ... well, suffice it to say not exactly gold medal food. That's because most Chinese food entrees contain between 1,000 and 1,500 calories -- and that's without taking rice, crispy noodles, and other extras into account. Not to mention that fact that some dishes were found to contain two days' worth of sodium.

But, if you're still bent on ordering Chinese food, ask for your sauces to be kept on the side, avoid deep-fried foods altogether, and keep the serving sizes small. To find out which Chinese dishes truly are healthy choices, visit www.dietdetective.com and do a little food sleuthing. In the meantime, Go Team U.S.A.!!!