When you think of healthy eating, you're probably not thinking of any sort of takeaway food. If you're trying to lose weight, or if you've simply decided to cut down the calories to eat a bit more healthily, takeaways are probably off your menu.

Chinese food, in particular, has a reputation for being fatty, greasy and generally bad news for anyone trying to eat healthier food. That's not a completely fair association, however, and it's completely possible to eat it without ruining your diet. Follow these tips and treat yourself to a Chinese food takeaway you won't feel guilty about as soon as you've finished.

Minimise the fried foods

Delicious as they may be, dishes like spring rolls, pork balls and basically anything else covered in some kind of crispy batter is most likely deep fried. Unfortunately, that means they're going to be high in fat, and you won't be able to include them in your healthy diet.

Luckily, there are still plenty of tasty things you can eat, and you won't miss the fried foods at all. Look for buns and other steamed items, or simply skip the extras and enjoy your main dish.

Order healthier rice

Chinese rice is often fried, which adds extra calories and fat to what would otherwise be a fairly healthy side dish.

Most Chinese food establishments offer boiled or steamed rice, which is just as tasty—especially when it's on the side of something with a nice sauce. If it's not on the menu, there's a good chance they'll be happy to prepare it for you, so don't be scared to ask.

If you're set on fried rice, order it either plain or with vegetables, and avoid getting it with egg or meat.

Fill up on veggies

Whether they're stir-fried, steamed and dressed in a rich sauce or prepared more simply, vegetables are a great way to feel more full without stuffing yourself with unhealthy food.

Adding a portion of stir-fried veg to your order and reducing the size of anything else you eat is a useful way to cut down your calorie intake without depriving yourself.

Swap meat for tofu

Tofu is a classic Chinese ingredient, and it's a much less calorific source of protein than meat. Making this simple swap can make a huge difference to how fattening your meal is, and you'll find it filling. The great thing about tofu is that it absorbs whatever sauce it's cooked in, so it's not as bland as you might expect.

Use the chopstick trick

Using chopsticks typically makes people eat more slowly than they would with a knife and fork. Getting into the spirit of Chinese food by eating with chopsticks has the extra benefit of helping you realise when you're full, so you're less likely to overeat.