Salad with high cals VS low cal non healthy foods...?
TaraFTMVA
Posts: 309 Member
Heya all^^, I work at a restaurant as a server and I get an employee meal when I work, I am fine to not always eat at the restaurant, but some shifts I need to refuel. Anyways we have a lot of menu options and even some healthy choice options. I would love to get salads, but the lowest full size salad is 800 calories (w/out dressing), but there is more filling and unhealthier options that are lower in calories. What I am wondering is if it is better for me to go over my calories with a salad? Or to stay under my calories and eat something not as healthy like pancakes? Hoping to get an answer bc I am really trying to get remotivated to lose!
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If you're trying to lose weight you need a calorie deficit, so either eat a half or 3/4 portion of the salad or get one of the lower cal options. Or budget cals and eat the whole salad0
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First of all, I want to know what restaurant serves a salad that is 800 calories without dressing. LOL
If you know the nutritional values of the meals in the restaurants would it be possible to make your own meal? Say, order the salad but remove all the high calorie items and substitute them with more fresh veggies? Perhaps order a steak with steamed veggies; or a turkey burger without the bun????0 -
"Salad" is completely meaningless. What is in it that equals 800 calories? It could be healthy or completely unhealthy. You can't assume it's healthy just because it's called salad.0
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I could possibly do that, I honestly do not know why the salads are so high. The salad I would love to get is 1600 cals..its a spinach and chicken salad, but even if I took out the bacon bits, eggs, balsamic vinaigrette and Make the chicken grilled, I would only save about 300cals....and we dont have turkey burgers =/0
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I would go with the lower calorie options. You can add good veggies at home after or before your shift but for hunger issues and for meal planning lower is better in my book.0
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Can you just "create" your own salad from stuff they have there? How much chicken is on that salad like 10 ounces? I wouldn't recommend eating pancakes instead of salad. Just get the salad as customized as you can. 2 cups of spinach, 4 ounces of chicken and the eggs should be under 300 calories. Add 2 Tablespoons of salad dressing and you should be around 400 calories!0
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"Salad" is completely meaningless. What is in it that equals 800 calories? It could be healthy or completely unhealthy. You can't assume it's healthy just because it's called salad.
Perhaps I am going about this the wrong way, I was just thinking grilled chicken on a salad with no dressing would be a healthy option, but I dont see where the 800 cals are coming from when most of it is lettuce. Its 1 seasoned chicken breast (seasoned with some sort of mexican seasoning I think) but perhaps I need to take a different approach and do as PP said and remove most everything from the salad and lower the calorie count.0 -
My main meal during the week is a salad and it is also close to 800 calories, but it includes an avocado, walnuts and edamame. I consider it healthy, even with the addition of either a light or fat-free salad dressing.0
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Can you just "create" your own salad from stuff they have there? How much chicken is on that salad like 10 ounces? I wouldn't recommend eating pancakes instead of salad. Just get the salad as customized as you can. 2 cups of spinach, 4 ounces of chicken and the eggs should be under 300 calories. Add 2 Tablespoons of salad dressing and you should be around 400 calories!
Unfortunately there is no "make your own salad" option =/. If there was I would probably be in better shape. I think its less that 10oz, like 6-8. Ill have to try this idea and just substitute what I can. Ty all for your suggestions!0 -
What's the "non healthy" lower cal food?0
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So do you go over your calories? Or eat lighter the rest of the day?My main meal during the week is a salad and it is also close to 800 calories, but it includes an avocado, walnuts and edamame. I consider it healthy, even with the addition of either a light or fat-free salad dressing.0 -
I always go for lower calories, and if that option is also more filling, sounds like a win-win.0
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What's the "non healthy" lower cal food?
Really anything, omelettes, burgers, pancakes, sandwiches, french fries, chicken, just depends on the meal.0 -
an omlette isnt a bad choice , its packed full of protein and good stuff! Protein = filling too!
and omlette made with 3 eggs and a smidge of milk is more than enough for me for lunch and I usually add vegetables to it they add nutrition rather than cals and can add taste too0 -
Heya all^^, I work at a restaurant as a server and I get an employee meal when I work, I am fine to not always eat at the restaurant, but some shifts I need to refuel. Anyways we have a lot of menu options and even some healthy choice options. I would love to get salads, but the lowest full size salad is 800 calories (w/out dressing), but there is more filling and unhealthier options that are lower in calories. What I am wondering is if it is better for me to go over my calories with a salad? Or to stay under my calories and eat something not as healthy like pancakes? Hoping to get an answer bc I am really trying to get remotivated to lose!
What's on that salad that makes it 800 calories??? Maybe swap some toppings, like grilled chicken (hold the butter or oil) for bacon, less r no cheese, egg whites ...
I bet you can make a salad healthy AND low-cal with some changes. And I wonder how healthy an 800-calorie salad is ...0 -
What's the "non healthy" lower cal food?
Really anything, omelettes, burgers, pancakes, sandwiches, french fries, chicken, just depends on the meal.
What's unhealthy about the omelets and chicken?0 -
Take a packed lunch?
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if you had 2 cups of lettuce and spinach mixed your looking at 50 cals. to start with. get the chicken grilled and if it is that ginormous turkey sized breast eat only half, 200cals with marinade. go from there. do the obvious no croutons, bacon and lite on the cheese. if you get your dressing on the side and dip it. you should have. a very large salad at about 400cals.0
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It's the chicken that's causing the problem. Just go with the salad -- spinach, veggies, etc. no cheese, no meat, no dressing. That's the healthiest option. Plus, all of those aforementioned items are bad for you.0
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Surely you can order the salad without some of the high calorie ingredients. Usually cheese is the culprit in salads without dressing, try asking for the salad without cheese or with half the cheese. Or order some veggie side dishes only. Does the restaurant offer a baked sweet potato? This is very filling and healthy option if you order it plain. Or a small lean steak or a chicken breast? You don't mention the restaurant but I can't imagine pancakes and salads are the only options on the menu.0
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It's the chicken that's causing the problem. Just go with the salad -- spinach, veggies, etc. no cheese, no meat, no dressing. That's the healthiest option. Plus, all of those aforementioned items are bad for you.
How is chicken bad for you? An olive oil-based dressing is very healthy, as is cheese in moderation. It has calcium, protein, vitamins ...0 -
Heya all^^, I work at a restaurant as a server and I get an employee meal when I work, I am fine to not always eat at the restaurant, but some shifts I need to refuel. Anyways we have a lot of menu options and even some healthy choice options. I would love to get salads, but the lowest full size salad is 800 calories (w/out dressing), but there is more filling and unhealthier options that are lower in calories. What I am wondering is if it is better for me to go over my calories with a salad? Or to stay under my calories and eat something not as healthy like pancakes? Hoping to get an answer bc I am really trying to get remotivated to lose!
The time of my life when I was the HEALTHIEST was when I worked for a resturant. IF you know your cooks well then get them to make you something not on the menu ie, 1 piece of chicken breast, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, and if you need the cheese goat cheese. And bring your own dressing.0 -
I could possibly do that, I honestly do not know why the salads are so high. The salad I would love to get is 1600 cals..its a spinach and chicken salad, but even if I took out the bacon bits, eggs, balsamic vinaigrette and Make the chicken grilled, I would only save about 300cals....and we dont have turkey burgers =/
I'm presuming it's a large portion as well? Bacon, eggs, chicken, will be high in calories, what is the fat content like? I wouldn't worry too much about the balsamic vinaigrette though, are there any other items in the salad that make it dense in calories?
Are the cooked items done in a high calorie way? I'd suggest just having a lot less of it, removing bacon and eggs, having the chicken grilled like you suggested.0 -
What's the "non healthy" lower cal food?
Really anything, omelettes, burgers, pancakes, sandwiches, french fries, chicken, just depends on the meal.
What's unhealthy about the omelets and chicken?
Yep... None of those sound really unhealthy to me, especially if they're lower cal than the salad. Not that french fries are all that healthy, but I think there's probably more nutrition in a sandwich and fries for less than 800 calories than a salad that's over 800 calories.0 -
eat part of the salad or leave off the high calorie ingredients. I would not opt for pancakes over salad0
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First of all, I want to know what restaurant serves a salad that is 800 calories without dressing. LOL
-=Cough=- Red Robin -=Cough=-0 -
It's the chicken that's causing the problem. Just go with the salad -- spinach, veggies, etc. no cheese, no meat, no dressing. That's the healthiest option. Plus, all of those aforementioned items are bad for you.
Actually, they're not 'bad for you' per se - dairy, lean proteins and certain fats are essential for health - it's a case of moderation required. I'd keep the chicken, vegetables, a small amount of cheese and bacon, and stick to a simple dressing - olive oil and balsamic vinegar, for example. I can't quite see how a chicken salad can be 1600 cals without dressing. Unless it's all deep-fried...Are you sure the dressing has been included? A full meal at 600-700 calories (which sounds more likely) sounds like a good deal to me, and the protein will keep you full.0 -
I used to work at Bob Evans as a waiter so I had the same problem. I just ordered the salmon and got two sides of broccoli, it filled me up.
Omelets are not "bad" for you, you just have to fill them with the correct things.
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Two words... Special Prep. You work in a restaurant. You know all the ingredients that they have. Make up your own salad. Take in your own dressing if you have to or just use oil and vinegar. :flowerforyou:0
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I refuse to believe that a salad without dressing that is 800 calories is still a "salad". And would refute its 'health' status. Salad doesn't necessarily mean 'healthy'.
I'd opt for whatever fills you up best on the least cal and most nutrition. It's a balancing beam.
Take out the carbs- the croutons or the Asian noodles and crap (including any bacon it might contain) and that should help.
Same as what everyone else said... And I like the idea of doing 'special prep' if you can...
Otherwise I'd actually vote on "f**k the restaurant" and try to bring your own foods as much as possible, whenever possible. Cut up a carrot and pack an apple everyday for work, and if you want more eat HALF a serving of whatever you feel like.
There ain't no such thing as a 'free meal'.0
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