Chinese starters (1 piece)

Choose steamed tofu, edamame, mushroom, seaweed, or cucumber-based starters instead of battered, fried, or pastry-wrapped options.

Ask for sauces such as sweet-and-sour, hoisin, plum, and honey-chili on the side; use a small amount or choose chili, vinegar, garlic, or mustard-based seasoning.

Pair the starter with a protein- and vegetable-rich dish, such as tofu with bok choy, mushrooms, broccoli, or green beans, rather than noodles or fried rice.

Keep the starter portion modest and avoid combining multiple starch-heavy starters such as spring rolls, wontons, prawn toast, and dumplings in one meal.

Eat slowly and start with non-starchy vegetables or a clear vegetable soup to reduce how quickly the meal is eaten.

Take a gentle 10–20 minute walk after eating, if appropriate for you, to help moderate the post-meal rise.