General Tso's Chicken: Carb Count And Nutrition Facts

General Tso's chicken is a Hunanese dish that has become a staple menu item in Chinese restaurants throughout the United States. The dish is known to be high in calories and fat, and a single cup of General Tso's chicken contains between 16.3g and 35g of carbohydrates. The variation in the nutritional content of the dish may be due to the different recipes used by restaurants.

General Tso's chicken: a high-calorie, high-fat dish

General Tso's chicken is a Hunanese dish that has become a staple menu item in Chinese restaurants across the United States. The dish consists of battered and fried chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. While it may be delicious, it is also a high-calorie and high-fat food option.

The calorie count and nutritional content can vary depending on the specific recipe and the restaurant serving the dish. However, on average, a cup of General Tso's chicken contains around 16 to 43 grams of total carbohydrates, with net carbs ranging from 15 to 33 grams. The fat content is also significant, with approximately 17 to 24 grams of total fat per cup.

In addition to the high carbohydrate and fat content, General Tso's chicken is also notable for its high sugar content. The sugar in the sauce contributes to the dish's overall calorie count. For example, a 30-piece, 535-gram restaurant-style order of General Tso's chicken can contain up to 87 grams of fat and 62 grams of sugar, amounting to a total of 1,578 calories.

While the dish may be indulgent, it does offer some nutritional benefits. It is a good source of protein, with approximately 18 to 19 grams per cup. Additionally, it provides vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin K, sodium, niacin, calcium, iron, and potassium. However, the vitamin and mineral content is generally limited, with the exception of the aforementioned vitamins and minerals.

Overall, General Tso's chicken is a tasty but indulgent dish that is high in calories, carbohydrates, and fat. It is important to enjoy this dish in moderation as part of a balanced diet, especially for those watching their calorie or carbohydrate intake.

Carbohydrates in the chicken's batter and sauce

The carbohydrates in General Tso's chicken come primarily from the chicken's batter coating and sweet sauce. The batter is made with flour, egg, and soy sauce, while the sauce typically contains sugar, tomato paste, soy sauce, flour, rice wine vinegar, and chilli peppers.

The amount of carbohydrates in a cup of General Tso's chicken can vary depending on the specific recipe and serving size. According to one source, a cup of General Tso's chicken contains 35 grams of total carbohydrates, which is about 12% of the daily value. Another source lists the total carb count as 16.3 grams, with 15.4 grams of net carbs.

The batter and sauce contribute significantly to the overall carbohydrate content of the dish. The flour and soy sauce used in both components add carbohydrates, with soy sauce contributing a small amount of carbs per tablespoon.

Additionally, the sugar in the sauce can also contribute to the carbohydrate count. While the exact amount of sugar used in the sauce can vary depending on the recipe, it is added to satisfy the American palate, as the original Taiwanese version of the dish did not include sugar.

It's worth noting that the carbohydrate content of General Tso's chicken can vary depending on the restaurant or recipe. The National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference indicates that the dish is high in calories, fat, and carbohydrates. A 30-piece, 535-gram order of General Tso's chicken can contain up to 128 grams of total carbohydrates, with the batter and sauce being the main contributors.

Nutritional value: vitamins and minerals

The nutritional value of General Tso's chicken in terms of vitamins and minerals is limited. However, it does contain some essential vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that supports healthy vision, immune function, and cell growth, is present in this dish. While the percentage of the daily value provided by a serving of General Tso's chicken varies depending on the specific recipe and serving size, it typically contributes to a small portion of the recommended daily intake.

Vitamin K, which is crucial for blood clotting, bone health, and heart health, is another nutrient found in General Tso's chicken. According to the USDA Nutrient Database, a 30-piece order of this dish can provide twice the daily recommended amount of vitamin K.

Additionally, General Tso's chicken contains sodium. While sodium is essential for maintaining fluid balance and nerve and muscle function, excessive intake can lead to health issues. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the sodium content in this dish, especially for those watching their sodium intake.

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is another notable nutrient present in General Tso's chicken. A 30-piece order can provide approximately 15 milligrams of niacin, which is equivalent to a full day's supply. Niacin plays a vital role in energy metabolism, healthy skin, and nerve function.

While not as prominent as the previously mentioned vitamins and minerals, General Tso's chicken also contributes small amounts of other nutrients. These include calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin C. The dish's contribution to the daily value of these nutrients may vary based on the specific recipe and serving size.

In summary, while General Tso's chicken may not be a significant source of vitamins and minerals, it does provide some essential nutrients, including vitamins A, K, and niacin, as well as smaller amounts of calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin C. It is also important to consider the sodium content of the dish and how it fits within individual dietary needs and recommendations.

Calories burned through weight training

A cup of General Tso's chicken is a high-calorie, high-fat food. A 30-piece, 535-gram order from a restaurant typically contains 1,578 calories, 69 grams of protein, 87 grams of fat, and 128 grams of carbohydrates.

Weight training is an effective way to burn calories and build muscle. The number of calories burned during weight training depends on various factors, including duration, intensity, body weight, and type of exercise. For example, an hour of moderate weight lifting can burn approximately 272 calories for a 190-pound person. The Calories Burned Calculator and Omni Calculator are online tools that can help individuals determine how many calories they burn during a weight-lifting session based on their weight and activity.

Weight training is considered an anaerobic exercise, which leads to higher EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) levels than aerobic exercises like cardio. This means that the body continues to burn calories even after completing a weight-lifting workout, with studies showing an elevated basal metabolic rate (BMR) for up to 48 hours post-workout. Additionally, weight training signals muscle growth and simultaneously draws from fat storages, resulting in muscle gain and fat loss.

The number of calories burned during weight training can be influenced by factors such as efficiency, leverage, and body mass. While it is impractical to manually calculate the energy expenditure, measuring the difference in oxygen concentration between inhaled and exhaled air can provide an accurate estimation of the caloric cost.

In summary, weight training is a beneficial activity for burning calories, building muscle, and promoting long-term fat loss. The exact number of calories burned depends on individual factors and can be estimated using online calculators or measured through oxygen consumption analysis.

Carb Manager's net carb count

Carb Manager lists the net carb count for a cup of General Tso's chicken as 15.4 grams. This is a little lower than the figure provided by MyFoodDiary, which states that a cup serving of General Tso's chicken contains 35 grams of total carbohydrates and 33 grams of net carbs.

The difference in net carb counts between these sources may be due to variations in the recipes used to make General Tso's chicken. As a dish that is often high in calories, fat, and sugar, different recipes and restaurant preparations of General Tso's chicken can significantly impact the nutritional content. For example, the National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference reports that a 535-gram restaurant-style order of General Tso's chicken contains 128 grams of total carbohydrates, which is much higher than the values reported for a one-cup serving.

The batter coating, frying technique, and sauce ingredients in General Tso's chicken can all influence its net carb count. For instance, the American version of the dish typically includes sugar, whereas the Taiwanese version does not. The type of chicken used, the presence of vegetables, and the specific spices and oils employed can also introduce variations in the net carb content.

When managing your carbohydrate intake, it is essential to be mindful of these variations and consider the specific ingredients and preparation methods used in the dish you are consuming. Additionally, serving size can significantly impact the net carb count, so it is always advisable to adjust the values based on the actual amount of food you consume.

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