Chow Mein vs Lo Mein: Which Is Better? Our Pick

Both Chow Mein and Lo Mein are popular Chinese noodles. So, which one is better? Let's analyze it together!

Chow Mein vs Lo Mein: Which Is Better?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. You can choose according to your personal taste preference. Personally, I prefer Chow Mein!

After being stir-fried, Chow Mein has a crispy exterior and a tender interior, and its flavor is more intense. Also, you can choose the vegetables and meats to add according to your own preferences. My favorite vegetables are carrots, bean sprouts, and rapeseed, and my favorite meats are beef and chicken. I also add an egg when making Chow Mein, which helps me increase my protein intake.

On the other hand, Lo Mein has a relatively milder taste. It is made by simply stirring cooked noodles with a prepared sauce. This can well preserve the flexibility of the noodles and emphasizes the original flavor of the ingredients. If you like a mild flavor, then Lo Mein is definitely suitable for you.

Why Does Chow Mein Taste So Good?

Chewy Noodles

The soul of Chow Mein lies in the "stir-fried noodles". When the noodles are stir-fried at high temperature, their surface turns golden brown, while the inside remains soft, making them chewy and elastic to eat.

Ingredient Combinations

The ingredients for Chow Mein are very diverse. You can choose to pair it with vegetables such as carrots, cabbages, and bean sprouts according to your preference. You can also choose to pair it with pork, beef, chicken, or shrimp. In short, no matter what, they can all be combined with noodles to make Chow Mein, which is really satisfying in one bite.

Rich Sauce

Seasonings are the key to making delicious Chow Mein. During the cooking process, people add seasonings such as light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, and sugar to season it. Sometimes, minced garlic and chili peppers are also added, and a strong aroma wafts out immediately.

Convenience and Speed

Another important reason why Chow Mein is popular is that it is extremely simple to make. It only takes about 10 minutes to complete, and it doesn't require advanced cooking skills. Even if you're a beginner, you can definitely make delicious Chow Mein by following a recipe.

Is Chow Mein Healthy for Weight Loss?

I generally don't recommend eating Chow Mein during the weight loss period.

This is because a certain amount of oil is used in the production of Chow Mein, which greatly increases its calorie content. Secondly, noodles themselves are high in carbohydrates. Eating them during the weight loss period is not conducive to digestion and does not help with weight loss.

However, if you really want to eat Chow Mein during the weight loss period, I have a few suggestions for you:

Choose Healthy Ingredients:

You can choose whole wheat noodles instead of regular noodles, which can both increase satiety and reduce carbohydrate intake.

Reduce the amount of noodles and add more vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, and spinach.

To maintain a balanced nutrition, you can add high-protein foods such as eggs, chicken breast, and beef and stir-fry them together.

Control the Oil Usage:

Be sure to control the amount of oil used. At the same time, it is recommended to choose healthier oils to replace regular cooking oil, such as olive oil and flaxseed oil.

Pay Attention to Portion Size:

Although Chow Mein is delicious, you must control the portion size during the weight loss period. You can use Chow Mein as part of your staple food, but pay attention to the intake of other foods and control the calories to avoid exceeding the limit.

Combine with Exercise:

Weight loss is not just about diet control. You can also combine it with appropriate exercise, which can help digest some of the calories brought by Chow Mein.

Which Is Healthier, Lo Mein or Chow Fun?

Relatively speaking, Lo Mein is a bit healthier.

In terms of ingredients, Lo Mein mainly consists of noodles, which are rich in carbohydrates and dietary fiber. chow fun are made from rice. They are easy to digest but contain less dietary fiber.

In terms of cooking methods, Lo Mein only needs to add seasonings after boiling the noodles and uses less oil. While chow fun require a lot of oil during the stir-frying process, making their calorie content higher.

In terms of nutritional balance, Lo Mein is often paired with more vegetables and sauces to enhance nutrition. chow fun also have vegetables and meats as side dishes, but the ingredients are more likely to absorb oil, and there are more seasonings, so the sodium content may be high.

Therefore, from a health perspective, Lo Mein is relatively healthier. During the production of Lo Mein, there is less nutrient loss, and it has a lower fat content and stronger satiety.

However, this doesn't mean that chow fun are unhealthy. chow fun have a delicate texture and good absorbency. As long as you control the amount of oil used, they are also relatively healthy.

Is Chow Mein Healthier Than Rice?

In terms of calories, Chow Mein has a higher calorie content than rice under the same weight. This is because oil is added during the production of Chow Mein. The calorie content of every 100 grams of Chow Mein is about 283 kilocalories, while that of rice is 116 kilocalories.

From a nutritional perspective, eating rice together with vegetables and meats provides a more balanced diet. Although Chow Mein is also paired with vegetables and meats, it contains more oil and a higher proportion of noodles.

Regarding health risks, the glycemic index (GI) of rice is relatively low, which has a smaller impact on blood sugar fluctuations. While the glycemic index of Chow Mein is higher, and the cooking method with high oil and high salt is not beneficial to health if eaten regularly.

Therefore, if you pursue low calories and balanced nutrition in your life, rice is healthier. Although Chow Mein is delicious, it has a relatively high calorie content. It is recommended to reduce the amount of oil used during stir-frying and increase the proportion of vegetables.

What Are the Healthiest Noodles for Weight Loss?

There are quite a few types of noodles you can choose during the weight loss period. Here are some recommendations:

1.Konjac Noodles

They contain almost no calories, only about 20 kilocalories per 100 grams. At the same time, they are rich in dietary fiber, which can increase satiety during the weight loss period and reduce appetite.

2.Vegetable Noodles

Made from vegetable juice (such as spinach juice and carrot juice) and flour, they not only have low calorie content but are also rich in vitamins and dietary fiber, which is helpful for weight loss.

3.Buckwheat Noodles

They have relatively low calories, about 280 kilocalories per 100 grams. They not only contain dietary fiber and various trace elements but also have a low glycemic index (GI value), which can effectively control blood sugar levels and is suitable for people who are losing weight and controlling sugar.

4.Whole Wheat Noodles

Made from wheat as the raw material, they are rich in dietary fiber. Eating an appropriate amount can increase satiety and reduce food intake.

5.Oat Noodles

Oat noodles are rich in dietary fiber (such as β-glucan), which helps lower blood sugar and blood lipid levels. At the same time, they have a relatively high protein content, which can supplement nutrition for people losing weight.