Calories in Panda Express Chow Mein

📏 Serving Size: 1 serving (256.0g)

🧪 Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving
  • Calories 540.0
  • Total Fat 23.0 g
  • Saturated Fat 5.0 g
  • Cholesterol 0.0 mg
  • Sodium 980.0 mg
  • Potassium 0.0 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 80.0 g
  • Dietary Fiber 4.0 g
  • Sugars 8.0 g
  • Protein 13.0 g
Vitamins & Minerals
  • Vitamin A 0.0 IU
  • Vitamin B-12 0.0 µg
  • Vitamin B-6 0.0 mg
  • Vitamin C 0.0 mg
  • Vitamin D 0.0 IU
  • Vitamin E 0.0 mg
  • Calcium 0.0 mg
  • Copper 0.0 mg
  • Folate 0.0 µg
  • Iron 0.0 mg
  • Magnesium 0.0 mg
  • Manganese 0.0 mg
  • Niacin 0.0 mg
  • Pantothenic Acid 0.0 mg
  • Phosphorus 0.0 mg
  • Riboflavin 0.0 mg
  • Thiamin 0.0 mg
  • Zinc 0.0 mg

Note: Nutrition information comes from the USDA Food Central Database. Daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet (FDA). Actual requirements vary by individual. Use at your own risk.

📋 Nutrition Summary

At 540.0 calories per serving (1 serving (256.0g)), Panda Express Chow Mein is a high-calorie food — portion size matters if you're monitoring your daily intake. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source at 80.0g per serving (55.3% of calories), with a good 4.0g of dietary fiber. One thing to note: a single serving contains 980.0mg of sodium (43% of the daily recommended limit), which is significant if you're watching your salt intake.

🏷️ Diet & Nutrition Tags

⚠️ High Calorie ⚠️ High Sodium

Tags are generated automatically from USDA nutrition data using standard dietary thresholds. They are for general guidance only and are not medical advice.

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📊 % Daily Value

The following shows how one serving of Panda Express Chow Mein contributes to the recommended daily intake for key nutrients, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value
Calories540.0 kcal27%
Total Fat23.0 g29%
Saturated Fat5.0 g25%
Sodium980.0 mg43% ⚠️
Total Carbohydrate80.0 g29%
Dietary Fiber4.0 g14%
Total Sugars8.0 g16%
Protein13.0 g26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. ✅ marks ≥20% DV (FDA "good source" threshold); ⭐ marks ≥100% DV (a full day's value).

🔥 Calorie Analysis

Panda Express Chow Mein accounts for 27% of a standard 2,000 calorie daily diet per serving. The majority of the calories for this food comes from carbohydrates. Carbohydrates make up 55.3% of the calories.

Fat 35.7%
Carbs 55.3%
Fat 35.7% Carbs 55.3% Protein 9%

🏃 Exercise Burn Time

How long would it take to burn off the 540.0 calories in Panda Express Chow Mein? The table below shows burn time for a 170-pound person doing common exercises.

Exercise Minutes to Burn
Running: 10 minutes per mile 40.8 min
Walking: 17 minutes per mile 93.2 min
Cycling (Low Intensity) 59.0 min
HIIT 50.0 min
Water Aerobics 124.7 min

Find more information on calories burned doing popular exercises.

💬 Nutrition Q&A: Panda Express Chow Mein

Is Panda Express Chow Mein good for weight loss?

At 540 calories per serving with 23g of fat and minimal protein relative to carbs, this isn't ideal for weight loss. The high sodium content (980mg) can also contribute to water retention, which may mask fat loss progress.

Is Panda Express Chow Mein good for muscle building?

The 13g of protein is fairly modest for muscle building, especially in a 540-calorie meal. You'd be better served by dishes with a higher protein-to-calorie ratio to support muscle recovery and growth.

Is Panda Express Chow Mein good post-workout fuel?

This can work as post-workout fuel thanks to its 80g of carbs for replenishing glycogen stores, though the protein content is on the lower side for optimal muscle recovery. Pairing it with a higher-protein source would make it more effective.

Is Panda Express Chow Mein heart-healthy?

The combination of high sodium, moderate saturated fat, and refined carbs makes this less heart-friendly. Regular consumption could contribute to elevated blood pressure and cholesterol concerns over time.

What should I watch out for with Panda Express Chow Mein?

The sodium level at 980mg per serving is substantial—nearly half your daily limit in one meal. The fat-to-protein ratio is also skewed toward fat, meaning you're getting more calories from fat than from muscle-supporting protein.

Nutrition Q&A answers are based on USDA nutritional data and are for general informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional dietary or medical advice.

📰 Featured Blog Post

Fruits Ranked by Calories: The Complete Guide Fruits Ranked by Calories: The Complete Guide

This is the complete reference guide to fruit nutrition — covering calories, sugar, fibre, and the best fruits for specific dietary goals. Use the links below to jump to the section most relevant to your needs, or browse the full rankings below. Complete Fruit Calorie Rankings Here are the most common fruits ranked by calories per 100g, from lowest to highest: Watermelon — 30 cal See nutrition Strawberries — 32 cal See nutrition Cantaloupe — 34 cal See nutrition Peach — 39 cal See nutrition Grapefruit — 42 cal See nutrition Blackberries — 43 cal See nutrition Orange — 47 cal See nutrition Pineapple — 50 cal See nutrition Apple — 52 cal See nutrition Raspberries — 52 cal See nutrition Blueberries — 57 cal See nutrition Dragon fruit — 60 cal See nutrition Mango — 60 cal See nutrition Kiwi — 61 cal See nutrition Cherries — 63 cal See nutrition Grapes — 67 cal See nutrition Banana — 89 cal See nutrition Avocado — 160 cal See nutrition Core Rankings Lowest Calorie Fruits Ranked — watermelon, strawberries, and raspberries lead the list Highest Calorie Fruits Ranked — avocado, banana, and mango top the list Fruits Ranked by Sugar Content — avocado and berries are lowest; banana and grapes are highest Fruits Ranked by Fiber Content — raspberries, blackberries, and avocado lead Best Fruits for Weight Loss — berries, grapefruit, and apple are the top choices Fresh vs Other Formats Fresh vs Frozen Fruit — nutritionally similar, frozen wins for out-of-season fruit Dried vs Fresh Fruit — dried fruit has 4-8x more calories per gram Fruit Juice vs Whole Fruit — whole fruit wins on fibre, satiety, and blood sugar impact Smoothie vs Whole Fruit — smoothies can contain 300-600 calories; whole fruit is more filling Diet and Use Case Low Sugar Fruits for Diabetics — berries, avocado, and grapefruit are the best choices Keto Friendly Fruits Ranked — avocado, raspberries, and blackberries fit keto macros Best Fruits Before a Workout — banana, mango, and watermelon are top choices Best Fruits After a Workout — tart cherries, banana, and blueberries lead for recovery Seasonal and Exotic Tropical Fruits Ranked by Calories — from 30-cal papaya to 160-cal avocado Summer Fruits Ranked by Calories — watermelon, strawberries, peaches, and cherries Winter Fruits Ranked by Calories — citrus, kiwi, pomegranate, and pears Dragon Fruit vs Kiwi — kiwi wins on vitamin C; dragon fruit wins on iron Fruit Comparisons For detailed side-by-side nutrition comparisons see: Apple vs Banana Blueberries vs Strawberries Avocado vs Apple Blueberries vs Banana Using Our Fruit Nutrition Tools Track your daily fruit intake with our Food Tracker.

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