When you don't feel like cooking, Chinese take-out food can be a convenient, tasty choice. While many Chinese dishes -- such as those featuring seafood or those that are steamed -- can be healthy, not all menu items are optimal for your health. Chinese take-out chicken fried rice is high in fat and carbohydrates.
Chinese take-out chicken fried rice is calorie-dense. A 1/2 c serving of this food contains 213 calories, according to the website MyFitnessPal; this is nearly 11 percent of the daily recommended intake of 2,000. If you want to burn the calories in 1/2 c of Chinese take-out chicken fried rice, you need to jump rope for 18 minutes or lift weights for 58 minutes.
Despite the small serving size, a 1/2 c serving of Chinese take-out chicken fried rice contains 5 g of dietary fat. Of this fat, 3 g comes from saturated fat, a type of fat that can increase your cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association suggests a daily limit of 16 g of saturated fat, so 1/2 c of Chinese take-out chicken fried rice contains 19 percent of that amount.
As with other rice-based dishes, Chinese take-out chicken fried rice is rich in carbohydrates. Each 1/2 c serving contains 24 g of carbohydrates, a nutrient that is your body's primary source of energy. Because of this, high-carbohydrate foods can be helpful for fueling sports and other activities.
One important type of carbohydrate Chinese take-out chicken fried rice provides is dietary fiber. Each 1/2 c serving provides 4 g of dietary fiber, a nutrient that helps manage your blood sugar levels, promote satiety and ensure a healthy digestive system.
Chinese take-out chicken fried rice is rich in protein. Each 1/2 c serving contains 18 g of protein, or three times the amount in one egg. Protein is vital for your health because it helps maintain and build your body's cells and tissues.
Chinese take-out chicken fried rice is high in sodium, with 530 mg in each 1/2 c. That amount comprises 23 percent of the daily recommended intake of 2,300 mg. Consuming too much sodium may increase your risk of high blood pressure.