Who doesn't like Chinese food?  Unfortunately Even though Chinese take-out is just around the corner, getting it without all the fat is just not going to happen.  In the same time that it would take you to go to your favorite take-out and order your food, you could create some very healthy alternatives that are easy to prepare without all the fat.  Most of the ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.  Chinese food is one of the easiest cooking techniques to learn. 

When it comes to picking the best meat for stir-fries you always want to use a lean cut that cooks quickly. The secret to cooking Chinese is cutting the meat thin and cooking it really fast. Not surprisingly the most popular choice of meat is the famous chicken breast.  Not only are you able to cook it fast, but the bland flavor of a chicken means you can use it with almost any combination of vegetable and sauces.  Some other good lean choices are Pork Tenderloin and flank steak.  You can also use seafood like haddock, shrimp, sole, or cod.  If you are vegetarian then try Tofu, which also blends well with a variety of vegetables and sauces.

There are so many vegetables to choose from that will work well in a stir-fry.  Everything from mushrooms to peppers to zucchini will taste great while providing you with loads of vitamins and minerals.  In the same way that your meat needs to be thin when cooked, make sure when using vegetables that you cut them into uniform sizes so they will cook evenly and fast.  Knowing the right amount of time to cook vegetables is very important.  Thicker and denser vegetables like broccoli and carrots will need to be cooked longer to make sure you cook these first.  Faster cooking vegetables like snow peas, mushrooms and beansprouts should be added latter so they are not over cooked.

Once you have decided on the meat and vegetables that you want to use, there are plenty of options that you can use to add flavor that will give it punch and texture. For crunch you can try using nuts like cashews, almonds and sunflower seeds. Creating your own simple sauces doesn't have to be hard.  Try experimenting with hoisen sauce by mixing it with some chicken broth, soy sauce, stevia and black pepper. If you prefer sauces to be hot and spicy then try adding crushed Szechuan pepper-corn, garlic and ginger without the added fat and calories .  You can also give your metabolism a boost by adding chili paste with garlic and ginger. Keep in mind that you want your meat to cook fast so To make things easier on yourself prepare the sauces ahead of time so the meat doesn't over cook.  If you are one to like sweet and sour sauces instead of hot and spicy then try adding fresh fruits like peaches, plums or pineapples. 

If you want to cut down the amount of oil needed then always use a nonstick pan.  By adding oil to an already hot surface and making sure the surface is properly seasoned you will find your vegetables will not stick and you will need less oil to cook with.