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.

🤖 AI Nutrition Coach

AI POWERED

Ask anything about Panda Express Chow Mein — how it fits your diet, what to pair it with, or how it compares nutritionally.

5 questions remaining

📊 % 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
Football 83.5 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

Dried vs Fresh Fruit: How Many More Calories? Dried vs Fresh Fruit: How Many More Calories?

Dried fruit and fresh fruit start as the same food, but the drying process removes almost all of the water content — concentrating the calories, sugar, and nutrients into a much smaller volume. This makes dried fruit significantly higher in calories per gram and very easy to overeat. Dried vs Fresh Fruit: Calorie Comparison Fresh grapes (100g): 67 calories vs Raisins (100g): 299 calories — 4.5x more calories See grape nutrition Fresh apricot (100g): 48 calories vs Dried apricots (100g): 241 calories — 5x more calories Fresh mango (100g): 60 calories vs Dried mango (100g): 319 calories — 5.3x more calories See mango nutrition Fresh cranberries (100g): 46 calories vs Dried cranberries (100g): 308 calories — 6.7x more calories Fresh cherries (100g): 63 calories vs Dried cherries (100g): 283 calories — 4.5x more calories See cherry nutrition Fresh plum (100g): 46 calories vs Prunes/dried plums (100g): 240 calories — 5.2x more calories Why Is Dried Fruit So Easy to Overeat? The portion size problem is the core issue.

Read Post →