Panda Express was founded in 1983 as a small family business that turned into a global franchise. Their community resources, like the Read With Me Program and Panda Cares Center of Hope, make Panda Express more than just a typical fast food chain. Panda Express brings families and friends together while providing non-traditional gourmet Chinese food for all shapes and sizes, including bariatric surgery patients.
Bariatric-Friendly Panda Express Menu
A bariatric-friendly diet consists of 1,000-1,200 calories daily, which breaks down into 350-400 calories per meal. Although Panda Express isn’t known for its extensive menu, its simple list of options takes the stress out of ordering. They have a few high-protein, low-carb gems perfect for bariatric surgery patients.
Entrees:
Even with a small menu, Panda Express doesn’t lack flavorful entree options for gastric sleeve and bypass patients.
| Panda Express Menu | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Pepper Angus Steak (180 Cal) | 7g | 10g | 19g | 6g |
| String Bean Chicken Breast (190 Cal) | 9g | 13g | 14g | 4g |
| Kung Pao Chicken (290 Cal) | 19g | 14g | 16g | 6g |
| Mushroom Chicken (170 Cal) | 9g | 11g | 12g | 4g |
| Black Pepper Chicken (280 Cal) | 19g | 14g | 13g | 7g |
| Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (300 Cal) | 13g | 8g | 36g | 8g |
| Broccoli Beef (150 Cal) | 7g | 13g | 9g | 7g |
Sides:
Panda Express doesn’t have many sides suitable for weight loss surgery patients, but their variety of high-protein dishes can enhance your meal.
| Panda Express Menu | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed Vegetables (80 Cal) | 5g | 16g | 4g | 5g |
| Chicken Potsticker (160 Cal) | 6gg | 20g | 6g | 2g |
| Veggie Spring Roll (190 Cal) | 8g | 27g | 3g | 3g |
Dessert/Drinks:
It can seem like everything is forbidden after bariatric surgery, but Panda’s fortune cookie is the perfect sweet treat following a delicious meal.
| Panda Express Menu | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortune Cookie (32 Cal) | 2g | 7g | 1g | 3g |
| Lychee Sparkling Water (20 Cal) | 0g | 4g | 2g | 4g |
Basic Precautions for Panda Express
- Avoid Sugary Condiments/Sauces: Panda’s orange chicken, although delicious, is one of many items on their menu that uses sugary sauces not ideal for bariatric patients. Instead, check out our condiments after bariatric surgery guide to help you find bariatric-friendly panda express sauces that won’t stall your weight loss.
- Avoid Excess Carbs: Skiping high-carb sides can help you decrease your caloric intake for the day and can help you avoid feeling sluggish and bloated.
- Avoid Sugary Beverages: Sugary drinks can cause dumping syndrome because of their high-sugar content and can increase your caloric intake. Drinking your calories can stall your weight loss.
- Don’t Drink from a Straw: Using a straw will introduce extra air into your new stomach pouch, causing gas pain and discomfort.
- Avoid Overeating: Meals should be no more than 4-6 ounces. Overeating can stretch out your stomach pouch and leave you with digestive issues.
Simple modifications like this allow you to enjoy delicious meals from Panda Express while staying on track with your weight loss goals.
Check out these other fast food blogs!
Leave A Comment