If you prefer a wide range of Asian cuisines as well as meals from around the world, the Pei Wei menu is likely to appeal to you. The cuisine is influenced by Japanese, Thai, Chinese, and other Asian cuisines, and a complete dinner will set you back about $10. But is the menu at Pei Wei a healthy one? If you live with diabetes, you may be wondering if Pei Wei is suitable for a low-carb diet. Not all of the menu items are good for people who have diabetes, as you would expect from most quick-service restaurants. If you're attempting to eat low-carb, you can find multiple items on the Pei Wei menu that can help you stay on track.

What can you expect to find on the Pei Wei menu?

Pei Wei's menu is fairly vast. When trying to explore the various options for nutritious food, it's easy to become overwhelmed. However, it becomes a little easier if you look through the various portions.

Here's what you can expect to find on the Pei Wei menu:

Light options — Salads, lettuce wraps, and sushi are among the lighter options.

Rice and noodle bowls — Traditional tastes, including Mongolian, Kung Pao, and Sesame as well as unique bowls like Thai Basil, Caramel, and Blazing Bangkok Peanut Noodle are available in rice and noodle bowls.

Sides and small dishes — Spring rolls, wontons, egg rolls, soups, edamame, and wings are examples of small dishes and sides.

A children's menu, a gluten-free menu, and a few of dessert options are also available. On request, many entrees can be turned vegetarian.

Here are some of the best options to try at Pei Wei if you have diabetes and need to watch your carbs intake.

Entrees

Pei Wei's entrées menu comprises the chain's customizable and signature dishes, all of which are served on a bed of white rice. Each entrée can be ordered in a small or normal size and can be customized with various add-ons and protein options. The vegetarian-friendly firecracker tofu is the most healthful dish on the menu. A small portion of this meal, topped with scallions and served on a bed of white rice, has 420 calories, 15 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 66 grams of carbs, 6 grams of protein, and 1,230 milligrams of sodium.

On the Pei Wei menu, you will find dishes with varying levels of spiciness. Look for products with a little flame next to the menu listing if you like spicy cuisine. Some people find that choosing a greater spiciness level helps them maintain portion control. When food is spicy, it is more difficult to overeat.

Classic Entrees

Some of the most famous Chinese and Thai meals may be found on the classic entrées menu. General Tso's, orange chicken, Kung Pao, Mongolian chicken, and other dishes are available. A small Mongolian steak plate contains 580 calories, 43 grams of fat (8 grams of saturated fat), 29 grams of carbs, 19 grams of protein, and 1,620 milligrams of salt. This meal has 2 grams of nutritional fiber and is served with steak, garlic, scallions, and mushrooms.

Salad Bowls

Pei Wei's menu only has two salad bowl selections, however each one contains more vegetables than the other entrées. To enjoy a lighter dinner, choose the Asian chopped chicken salad. The Asian chopped chicken salad contains 660 calories, 35 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 44 grams of carbs, 46 grams of protein, and 1,850 milligrams of sodium. It's served on a bed of greens with lettuce and a sesame ginger vinaigrette plus chicken, carrots, peppers, onions, cilantro, and crispy wontons.

Thai Wonton Soup

The most nutrient-dense item on the shareables menu is a cup of Thai wonton soup. It's a low-calorie option to start your meal, with 70 calories, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein, and 780 milligrams of sodium. Combine it with a small order of edamame for an extra 15 grams of protein for only 160 calories.

Bottom line

If you enjoy popular Chinese, Japanese, or Thai cuisine, Pei Wei's dishes can be easily tailored to suit your dietary preferences. If you have diabetes and need to watch your carbs and sugar intake, you should look over the menu online before visiting Pei Wei. Many of the meals have lots of carbs and sugar that may take you well over the recommended intake for someone with diabetes. You can discover something that matches your needs with a little bit of research and planning, and dinners at Pei Wei can be a part of a healthy diet even if you need to watch your levels of carbs, sugar, and sodium.