The Rise of Healthy Dumplings: A Surprising Food Trend for Weight Loss and Healthy Eating

Published on November 16, 2023, 12:54 am

When it comes to healthy eating, there’s a common belief that vegetables are the ultimate champions. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green beans, and snow peas are often considered must-haves in a balanced diet due to their high nutrient content. However, a new food item has been making waves in the influencer and dietitian community as a weight loss favorite: dumplings.

At first glance, it might seem surprising that dumplings could be deemed healthy. After all, they are typically stuffed with meat and have minimal vegetables, while the pastry wrapper is usually fried. But let’s dig a little deeper into this trend.

Dietitian Susie Burrell recently listed Mr Chen’s Pork & Chive Dumplings as one of the healthiest foods to buy at the supermarket. She wrote about how she initially hesitated about joining the dumpling movement but has now embraced it as her go-to quick and easy meal when served with Asian greens and edamame. One reason she favors this brand is that it doesn’t contain added MSG like many others.

But how can dumplings be healthy when they don’t fit the traditional image of nutritious food? Well, @therealfreezma, an Australian diet and training coach on TikTok, shed some light on this matter. He recommended Yum Cha Japanese pork gyoza as his girlfriend’s favorite healthy snack available at Woolworths. These gyoza comprise pork (44%), cabbage, wheat flour (15%), chives (10%), water, sugar, salt, soy sauce, and flavor enhancer (621). Surprisingly enough, gyozas are considered a complete meal since they provide all five major nutrient categories: protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

In terms of calorie count, an entire 10-pack of dumplings amounts to only 320 calories – quite low for a main meal. If you want to make it more filling, you could add some steamed greens or more dumplings. Each serving provides 2.8 grams of protein, or 28 grams per pack, which is beneficial for those struggling to reach their sodium intake requirements.

However, it’s important to note that these packet dumplings contain a significant amount of salt. If you consume the entire 10-pack, you’ll exceed the recommended daily sodium intake of around 2,000 micrograms. Therefore, if you decide to incorporate dumplings into your diet, be prepared to increase your water intake to help flush out the excess sodium.

Additionally, cooking method plays a crucial role in determining the overall caloric intake of the dumplings. If you prefer frying your gyozas in vegetable oil like most people do, the number of calories per serving will naturally increase. There are two solutions: steam the gyozas or try tossing them in an airfryer. Air frying allows you to achieve a crispy texture without excessive oil consumption and keeps the calorie count low.

In conclusion, store-bought gyozas can indeed be as healthy as claimed by many individuals. The only downside is that this craze has led to frequent shortages as they keep selling out quickly. So if you’re looking for a convenient and tasty option for weight loss or healthy eating, give dumplings a try – just remember to monitor your sodium intake and choose your cooking method wisely.

Advertisement