Why I hate Nutritional Information at Fast Food places
SomeMomOutside
Posts: 3 Member
There were three kids in my car, two were sleeping. I wanted to eat lunch, but i'm trying to make better choices.. Taco Bell fast food, no, is not the best choice, but they advertise some healthier options, so i went ahead and got a Cantina Bell Bowl - Chicken. I figured I'd leave off the white rice, and I don't like guacamole, so that had to go too, which left chicken, lettuce, corn salsa, black beans, and 2 oz of creamy dressing on the side.
I get home to try to figure out how many calories I can shave off of the 560 calories TB lists as the full menu caloric intake, when I discover that there's only 20 calories difference between the veg and the chicken bowls. 20 calories? for the chicken? that was it? the 'gram' breakdown gives only 23g for chicken, so less than an ounce of that 560 calories is 'grilled chicken'.. however the dressing, the 2 oz of creamy cillantro dressing is almost 200 calories *sigh*
Also, everything they have is listed in GRAMS. i realize that that system is better logically, but i don't know many americans that realize that 28 grams is 2 oz.. and even if someone knew that, Taco Bell doesn't actually list the calorie contents based on what they give out. I was given a 2oz container of dressing, but they list the calorie count (by grams) for only an ounce of dressing.. so if I were getting that meal, but saying 'hold the dressing' then came home to see how many calories i'd saved, i would only think i saved 90, not 180.
And by listing the 'grams' first, they kind of look like the calorie count, instead of just a weight of measure... and they're usually lower by just enough to make one think it's the calorie count.
Examples: Fresco Bean Burrito 213g 350cal
Volcano Nachos 354g 970cal
**banging head**
The take away is that I should just eat from home.
I get home to try to figure out how many calories I can shave off of the 560 calories TB lists as the full menu caloric intake, when I discover that there's only 20 calories difference between the veg and the chicken bowls. 20 calories? for the chicken? that was it? the 'gram' breakdown gives only 23g for chicken, so less than an ounce of that 560 calories is 'grilled chicken'.. however the dressing, the 2 oz of creamy cillantro dressing is almost 200 calories *sigh*
Also, everything they have is listed in GRAMS. i realize that that system is better logically, but i don't know many americans that realize that 28 grams is 2 oz.. and even if someone knew that, Taco Bell doesn't actually list the calorie contents based on what they give out. I was given a 2oz container of dressing, but they list the calorie count (by grams) for only an ounce of dressing.. so if I were getting that meal, but saying 'hold the dressing' then came home to see how many calories i'd saved, i would only think i saved 90, not 180.
And by listing the 'grams' first, they kind of look like the calorie count, instead of just a weight of measure... and they're usually lower by just enough to make one think it's the calorie count.
Examples: Fresco Bean Burrito 213g 350cal
Volcano Nachos 354g 970cal
**banging head**
The take away is that I should just eat from home.
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Replies
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These menus always frustrate me too. The worst is the subway one - I always get a veggie delight and apparently that's a really healthy choice! Until you realise that the sandwich they are giving the calories for is a bit of bread with some lettuce and cucumber - obviously I'm going to have cheese and mayo or it's not really a sandwich!
It also astounds me how many calories are in meals which shouldn't be too unhealthy if you made it at home!0 -
Twenty eight grams is ONE ounce, not two.0
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Yeah.. Hate to break it to you, but 1oz is 28g. Not 2oz! :laugh:0
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Twenty eight grams is ONE ounce, not two.
Beat me to it.0 -
Yeah.. Hate to break it to you, but 1oz is 28g. Not 2oz! :laugh:
Also, keep in mind that a volumetric ounce is not the same as a weighted ounce.0 -
There are options every where. You just have to plan ahead and not try to make a decision while at the drive thru window. For example the Fresco tacos (crunchy) are only 140 calories each. Fresco chicken soft tacos are 150. I try to research and know what I am eating before I leave my house. However sometimes, with sleeping kids in the car, you gotta do what cha gotta do.0
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Not really sure what you're getting at here-- 28g is 1 oz.
For protein, the grams are multiplied by 4 to find the actual calorie amount of the meat itself. Fats are multiplied by 9, carbs also by 4. I don't think any fast food places are making the nutritional info hard to find.
What boggles my mind is that people seem to think that just because something has a leaf of lettuce on it and is slathered in dressing made from cilantro instead of deep-fried, that somehow it becomes 'healthy'.0 -
These menus always frustrate me too. The worst is the subway one - I always get a veggie delight and apparently that's a really healthy choice! Until you realise that the sandwich they are giving the calories for is a bit of bread with some lettuce and cucumber - obviously I'm going to have cheese and mayo or it's not really a sandwich!
Um, I eat dry sandwiches all the time, or put only mustard on. I consider it a 'real sandwich' without processed cheese and goopy mayo.
That being said, getting a plain turkey sandwich with veggies on it is probably 'better' for you than the veggie delight anyway, since cheese is a fatty and salty way to get your protein.0 -
You should know by now that nearly all dressings, ranch and BBQ sauces etc are laden with calories. It's not that difficult to understand why: oil and cream is calorie dense, no getting around it.
What's wrong with a bit of ketchup or chilli?0 -
Fast food sucks
Subway sucks
Eat at home.
/thread0 -
In the UK over the past couple of years, I've noticed fast food chains bringing the calories and fat down a bit, probably due to government/public pressure over the "obesity crisis" - mostly this just means they sneakily reduce the portions, but hey! Lately I've found I can get a fairly decent meal in KFC and stay within my calories, for example. Sure, it would be healthier and more nutritious to make something from scratch at home, but there are times I just can't be bothered, and I'll admit, that KFC chicken coating is pretty hard to beat!0
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At Subway I get all the veggies except olives (and no avocado). No cheese or mayo, but I get vinegar (not vinaigrette) and oregano, on whole wheat bread. Not the most nutritious, & is more like a small salad on bread but It tastes like a sandwich to me, and I think it's under 300 calories.
I just went out to breakfast at a place called The Broken Yolk. Their "Triple Scramble" was made with egg whites, fresh spinach, and artichoke hearts, and included fresh fruit (one large piece of each watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, and an orange wedge) The menu claimed 350 calories. I ate half & tried to enter it into my log. That item in particular was not listed on MFP, although their "Mom Omelet" was listed at 640 calories, even though the menu said 330. After entering all the items individually for the scramble I couldn't come up with anywhere near 350 calories...unless they use a ton of butter to scramble the eggs, but it didn't taste like it.
I agree with you, it's very frustrating - eat at home!0 -
The main takeaway from this thread is that Americans should focus more on learning the metric system instead of blaming fast food restaurants.
I never order any condiments. Avoiding dressing, mayo, etc will go a long way in reducing your calorie counts.0 -
The main takeaway from this thread is that Americans should focus more on learning the metric system instead of blaming fast food restaurants.
I never order any condiments. Avoiding dressing, mayo, etc will go a long way in reducing your calorie counts.
Screw you, buddy! Our inches and... miles and pounds or whatever are full of FREEDOM AND BALD EAGLES AND 'MURICA
Yeah, if I'm trying to eat fast food and stay within my calorie counts for the day, I'm really careful about the dressing/sauces. Order them on the side, so you can control exactly how much of it you eat.
I DO get avocado on my sandwiches if it's an option, though, and sub it out for whatever the dressing would be (or at our local organic cafe, I get avocado instead of their full-fat cheese on my veggie wrap). I love avocado's taste better than nearly any sandwich spread.0 -
These menus always frustrate me too. The worst is the subway one - I always get a veggie delight and apparently that's a really healthy choice! Until you realise that the sandwich they are giving the calories for is a bit of bread with some lettuce and cucumber - obviously I'm going to have cheese and mayo or it's not really a sandwich!
It also astounds me how many calories are in meals which shouldn't be too unhealthy if you made it at home!
Sandwiches do not require cheese and mayo.
Math is not hard people.0 -
Math is not hard people.
Lies!0 -
The main takeaway from this thread is that Americans should focus more on learning the metric system instead of blaming fast food restaurants.
Screw you, buddy! Our inches and... miles and pounds or whatever are full of FREEDOM AND BALD EAGLES AND 'MURICA
Yes!0 -
The main takeaway from this thread is that Americans should focus more on learning the metric system instead of blaming fast food restaurants.
Screw you, buddy! Our inches and... miles and pounds or whatever are full of FREEDOM AND BALD EAGLES AND 'MURICA
Yes!
For the record, I made that comment as an American. Some of us in the United States do use the metric system
As a kid growing up I made my feelings known to my teachers by converting all of my answers to the metric system. The sad part is that I had some teachers who had to look up the proper conversion tables to know if I was right or not!0 -
The main takeaway from this thread is that Americans should focus more on learning the metric system instead of blaming fast food restaurants.
Screw you, buddy! Our inches and... miles and pounds or whatever are full of FREEDOM AND BALD EAGLES AND 'MURICA
Yes!
For the record, I made that comment as an American. Some of us in the United States do use the metric system
As a kid growing up I made my feelings known to my teachers by converting all of my answers to the metric system. In my mind, the teacher was the one with the problem not me.
For the record I just found your take away from the OPs ridiculous "problem" hilarious!0 -
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this before me but 28g is 1oz not 2!0
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There are options every where. You just have to plan ahead and not try to make a decision while at the drive thru window. For example the Fresco tacos (crunchy) are only 140 calories each. Fresco chicken soft tacos are 150. I try to research and know what I am eating before I leave my house. However sometimes, with sleeping kids in the car, you gotta do what cha gotta do.
Amen! At every restaurant I have a full proof "I can eat this." At TB I get a chicken softshell fresco and pintos n cheese fresco. Fresco is without cheese, added pico. I can name any fast food in the area and pick a sort of healthy alternative. I can do the same at area restaurants that aren't fast food. It's great info to know! And if you don't know, you can always ask.0 -
The main takeaway from this thread is that Americans should focus more on learning the metric system instead of blaming fast food restaurants.
Screw you, buddy! Our inches and... miles and pounds or whatever are full of FREEDOM AND BALD EAGLES AND 'MURICA
Yes!
For the record, I made that comment as an American. Some of us in the United States do use the metric system
As a kid growing up I made my feelings known to my teachers by converting all of my answers to the metric system. In my mind, the teacher was the one with the problem not me.
For the record I just found your take away from the OPs ridiculous "problem" hilarious!
Thanks!0 -
For the record, I made that comment as an American. Some of us in the United States do use the metric system
As a kid growing up I made my feelings known to my teachers by converting all of my answers to the metric system. The sad part is that I had some teachers who had to look up the proper conversion tables to know if I was right or not!
Ummmm..... Ahhhh... Ummmm........ as a kid? .....
*speechless*0 -
There are options every where. You just have to plan ahead and not try to make a decision while at the drive thru window. For example the Fresco tacos (crunchy) are only 140 calories each. Fresco chicken soft tacos are 150. I try to research and know what I am eating before I leave my house. However sometimes, with sleeping kids in the car, you gotta do what cha gotta do.
^^ This ^^
My standard "emergency" lunch from Taco Bell is two Fresco crunchy tacos and a pintos and cheese. 460 calories. Plenty of protein and not as much fat as you would think. BAM.0 -
I honestly have no idea what you're complaining about0
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Metric FTW!!0
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Not sure if anyone has mentioned this before me but 28g is 1oz not 2!
Yep, several times...0 -
I honestly have no idea what you're complaining about
Me, either.
I went to Burger King today and ate a Double Whopper, no cheese or mayo. I learned that I can eat a Double Whopper, get 41 grams of protein, fit that sucker into my macros, and be full for hours and hours for 670 calories.
Big WIN for fast food restaurants making this information available online.0 -
It disgusts me how many people on this site are SO rude. :noway: If you don't have anything remotely positive to contribute to a message board topic, then do the rest of us a favor and just DON'T!!!
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WOW, I feel for you. Just a simple "jeez look at this" and boy you got blasted everywhere. Some of us don't want to learn the metric system, it isn't what we use here in the USA. Fitting this into her diet wasn't the problem. Lighten up people.0
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