Favorite Chain Restaurant Meal - Under 500

Cortelli

Chipotle - steak burrito bowl; no rice; black beans; fajita veggies; steak; green tomatillo salsa; romaine lettuce. 350 Calories.

Add either brown rice (additional 160 calories) or guacamole (additional 150 calories) for extra carbs or fat, respectively, and you're at either 510 or 500 cals.

as long as I get the rice, this one always fills me up. Of course it is always better with some Chips and salsa, but that doesn't fit into the parameters of what the OP asked :laugh:

Chips and salsa are one of the very, very few food items I have all but given up during my weight loss efforts -- just too damn costly in terms of cals to make my days work the way I want. I am making do with the burrito bowls and basic street tacos from various taquerias for my Mexican fix, though.

collegegirl713

I love this thread first of all! Full of WONDERFUL options. One of my favorite at a sit down restaurant is Ruby Tuesday's Spaghetti Squash Marinara (260 Calories). It is very filling and very delicious and you can add a cup of Chicken tortilla soup for an extra 193 calories. Meal Calorie Total: 453.

stumblinthrulife

Olive Garden Venetian Apricot chicken. Even leaves room for a dolcini dessert if you can push the boat out a little and go to 600 calories.

calliekitten9

Most places I go to I aim for protein and veggies. I love getting a petite steak and double veggies. Usually around or under 550.

rbn_held

Don't eat out much so can't help. But if I were going to go on vacation I would be eating at the local places. You can eat at the chain restaurants anytime.

Francl27

I concur....definitely the Chicken Spinoccoli at Unos.

Ok question about this... I've ordered it. Guy said it was a meal and came with pasta. The whole thing was like 1200 calories. I was very confused.

Bluepopsicle_25

bump

cubsgirlinny

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debrag12

Nandos - chicken butterfly, salad, macho peas = 488. With 1/4 chicken it's 313, with 5 chicken wings its 493

kcrxgirl

For a nice lunch/dinner check out Seasons 52. Everything on their menu is 475 cals or less and the food is yummy.

Not trying to be argumentative, but this only applies to the lunch menu and only if you don't order any sides. Here is a link to the nutritional information.
http://www.seasons52.com/menu/nutrition.asp#

HappyMeLovely

IHOP - Balsamic glazed chicken with steamed broccoli and salad.

WhiteGirlWasted13

Subway chopped salad with spinach, not iceberg, lots of veggies, no dressing or cheese. I don't like dressing (I think it's weird to put "sauce" on lettuce, but whatever) but if you have to order it with dressing, get it on the side and dip your fork in it before picking up your next bite.

bobkat80

Wow, great ideas. I've been avoiding eating out because I'm just beginning my weight loss journey, but this showed me that I can do it and stay within my calories. I tried to look online before I went out, but got discouraged because all my old favorites were way too many calories. Thanks for the help!

KatieWH

1. Panera - love anything here and agree that the listing of the calories make it super easy to order. my favorite is the thai chicken salad, no wontons, dressings on side. The thai dressing is a little spicy, so if that isn't your thing, I recommend subbing the asian sesame dressing. I forgo the side and it is only 390 but for 90 extra calories you can eat an apple. If you haven't already - check out the 'hidden menu' options. They are all low carb and super delicious. I like the one that comes with chicken, cilantro hummus, spinach and tons of veggies.
2. Chipotle is also awesome. i love the salad - add chicken, black beans, plenty of pico, faijita veggies and cheese (tell them to go light!) Lots of flavor and VERY filling for less than 500 calories
3. jimmy johns beach club unwich with no mayo. it comes with avocado on it so there is really no need for the mayo. i add extra avocado - only 305 calories!

sararay509

McDonald's - Premium Chicken Grilled Sandwich No Mayo Add Chipotle bbq sauce, a Side Salad With Low Fat Italian Dressing and a Lg. Diet Coke is only 420 calories.

katilynnegray

bump

silveropes

Caribbean Salad with Grilled Chicken (Chili's) its 620 cals but it take off the chicken and pico.

silveropes

Chipotle Burrito Bowl with chicken, brown rice, pico, medium salsa and black beans -- 505 calories! My favorite

Cracker Barrel Peppercorn Steak with broccoli and side salad with vinaigrette -- 430 calories


Both meals are SUPER filling.

omg I big puffy heart you - I thought chipotle was gone forever my burrito was like 2 days worth of cals lol

schonsdragon

One of my favorite lunches out is a bowl of hot and sour soup. A cup of hot and sour soup is about 70 calories so you can have a lot of soup without a lot of calories and for me it is very satisfying especially on cold days. In fact this is what I had for lunch today, about 1.5 cups, because I wanted a light lunch that will hold me because we are also going out tonight and hubby wanted chinese for lunch. Yes I will be hungry by dinner but not starving so I while I will have a heavier meal than normal I will still be within my calories and still in control.

I will second Chipolte's burrito bowl, though I can only eat about 1/2 of one. I have given up most tortillas because they are not worth the calories to me.

wheird

Would you like a list? I'm working on a spreadsheet.

Alehmer

At most burrito places (Chipolte, Qdoba, etc.) you can actually eat pretty healthy.

No tortilla/beans/rice
-
Meat, Fajita veggies, Pico de Gallo, lettuce, tomatoe, guacamole (optional)

Low-carb, delicious, and fairly low calorie.

hananah89

@Reality_Is_Harsh: wow that is great! I had started one at one point and now I'm not sure where it went...

sashanicole88

I love Chipotle, but have to skip out on the tortilla and sour cream

holly1277

Panera Bread Turkey with Avocado BLT Sandwich (whole) - mustard instead of mayo, on whole grain. Apple and pickle spear on the side. 357 calories, 44g protein, 16g fat (but 2/3 of that is the healthy monounsaturated kind from the avocado), 13g fiber. I am shamelessly addicted to avocados and try to work them into my diet as much as possible.

Chipotle Sofritas (Tofu) Bowl - corn salsa, romaine lettuce, pinto beans, brown rice. (The sofritas is pretty well seasoned so it's definitely not bland.) 477 calories, 18g protein, 18g fat (1/2 monounsaturated), 18g fiber, 1/3 daily allowance for iron.

hesn92

Jimmy johns Pepe is around 500 (ham and cheese). Mr goodcents and subway have their nutrition info available as well so it would be easy to find something that fits your calories.

Chipotle is a good one, if you can save half for later, or you could just get 2 tacos instead of a whole burrito or bowl.

Panera is a good one. I went there yesterday. I got half a turkey avocado Blt (250 cals) and half a Caesar salad (160 I think?) the sandwich was actually pretty good, too.

BeTheChange352

Chickfila! 8 piece chicken nuggets (270 cals), some kind of sauce (let's say bbq at 45 cals), and a medium fruit cup (50 cals). sodium is killer but 28g of protein for the 8 piece, 41g protein and 400 cals for the 12 piece.

dianemm28

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

DMcGee1958

wheird wrote: »

Would you like a list? I'm working on a spreadsheet.

This is awesome!!! Thank you for sharing your spreadsheet with us!!!

Sherbear0123

Bumping ...so many great ideas!!! Thanks!!!

lngrunert

Chili's 6 oz. Classic Sirloin with Grilled Avocado is only 410 calories and delicious. Comes with roasted cherry tomatoes and a decently dressed side salad.