Do you eat at California Fish Grill?

nazbar30

Do you go to California Fish Grill? I find it challenging to eat there as a calorie counter. Their nutritional information shows Grilled Zucchini (2 each) 120 calories. That seemed a bit high to me for a grilled vegetable. A friend told me to order the zucchini without oil because they brush it with rice oil which adds calories. When I order my fish there they ask what style you want it prepared in. When I asked what the lowest calorie option is I was told Cajun style at 130 calories. Is there another way to ask for it to be prepared that wouldn't be that high in calories? Can you order it plain with a side of lemon? Any other tips and tricks for California Fish Grill?

WinoGelato

How much are you typically eating? 130 cals for fish and 120 cals for zucchini is only 250 calories. That’s not much at all for a meal...

Restaurants are notoriously more calorific and if those calorie counts are accurate then this would be one of the most calorie friendly restaurants I’ve ever heard of!

puffbrat

I don't understand the problem. Both of those are quite low and should be reasonably easy to fit into even a large calorie deficit. You could cook at home but you will be hard pressed to make meals under 250 calories unless you choose really small portions.

MikePTY

What is your calorie goal? You should be eating at very minimum 1200 calories per day (although many people should be eating more). So at most, 250 calories is about 20% of that, which is less than what a normal sized meal should be. If anything, you should be eating more calories when you are there, not less calories.

jenilla1

Those are already low calorie. Not sure what the problem is...

swirlybee

The calorie count for the Cajun style is in addition to the calories of the fish. If you ordered the tilapia Cajun style, that would be a total of 410 calories, plus the it comes with two sides, so the lowest calorie option is the zucchini which is 60 cal each order. That would put you at 530 which is still low calorie. I suspect that if you order your fish plain with a side of lemon, it wouldn't save you any more calories. I suspect that the 120 additional calories from the Cajun style is oil. I bet they'll coat the fish in oil even if you ask for it plain.

nooshi713

Yes because fish is my thing. Healthy options abound.

nazbar30

Yes, Swirlybee is right, the 130 calories is just for the Cajun marinade. The fish itself is additional calories. Sorry, I was a bit unclear about that.

I make another good point the oil they would use for plain would add calories as well. Making fish and zucchini at home my calorie count just ends up being so much lower so I think I’m going to have to pass on CFG.

WinoGelato

nazbar30 wrote: »

Yes, Swirlybee is right, the 130 calories is just for the Cajun marinade. The fish itself is additional calories. Sorry, I was a bit unclear about that.

I make another good point the oil they would use for plain would add calories as well. Making fish and zucchini at home my calorie count just ends up being so much lower so I think I’m going to have to pass on CFG.

Again, what is your total calorie allowance and how much do you typically eat in a meal? Can you make something at home for less calories? Sure, probably. But do you enjoy eating at this restaurant and other restaurants? If so, then you may want to find a way to work this food in (and it doesn’t sound like it would be that difficult) in order to find a sustainable, approach to weight loss that enables you to achieve a moderate calorie deficit, a nutritionally balanced diet, that is also satiating and enjoyable.

While some people do cut back on their restaurant meals - many of us find a way to eat in all sorts of restaurants while still achieving goals. Hopefully you can too.

wilson10102018

It is easy to add 120 calories of oil to zucchini or anything else. My favorite Chinese restaurant confided in me that their fried rice has about 2 oz of toasted sesame oil per serving. 500 calories of oil. No wonder it is so good.

I find butter more effective for grilled fish. 1/2 pat of butter in the skillet, fish face down until it is browned crispy on top, then skin side down until it is cooked through. I would do the same with zucchini.