Better choices on date night, need suggestions.

Aleluya17

My husband wants to take me out on a hot date tomorrow, and he told be to choose where we eat. We have a lot of the big chain restaurants in town. I'm trying to plan ahead so when I walk in the door I know what I can order that won't blow my whole days worth of calories. Does anyone have a suggestion where they like to eat and what they order? I want something where we can go in and sit down and enjoy a meal together.

Also, I have been google-ing and looking at the nutritional menus at a lot of these chain restaurants, but i'm still hoping for suggestions.

leanne9876

My husband wants to take me out on a hot date tomorrow, and he told be to choose where we eat. We have a lot of the big chain restaurants in town. I'm trying to plan ahead so when I walk in the door I know what I can order that won't blow my whole days worth of calories. Does anyone have a suggestion where they like to eat and what they order? I want something where we can go in and sit down and enjoy a meal together.

Also, I have been google-ing and looking at the nutritional menus at a lot of these chain restaurants, but i'm still hoping for suggestions.

What restaurants do you have as options?

Aleluya17

We have a lot to choose from
Longhorn Steakhouse
Applebees
Olive Garden
Bob Evans
Cracker Barrel
Outback Steakhouse
Carrabba's
Buffalo Wild Wings
Boston Market
Chili's

I was looking at Outback's menu and they seem to have some really good options there.

Total Meal - Victoria’S Filet® 6 oz - & Fresh Steamed French Green Beans & Grilled Asparagus
Nutritional Facts*
Calories 326 cal
Calories from Total Fat 139 cal
Carbohydrates 10 g
Dietary Fiber 6 g
Total Fat 15 g
Saturated Fat 6 g
Trans Fat 0.6 g
Protein 40 g
Cholesterol 77 mg
Sugars 3 g
Sodium 624 mg

A little high in sodium and cholesterol, but hey nothings perfect.

JenniferNoll

Ruby Tuesday has a low cal menu.
Fridays has lower cal options, like the dragonfire chicken or salmon.
O'Charle's has lower cal options. Just stay away from the bread basket.

SyntonicGarden

Applebee's has what look like decent choices:

http://www.applebees.com/menu/under-550-calories

Watch the beverages. I can't stand diet sodas, so I get a seltzer with a splash of lemonade in it.

dawson55510

Go out and enjoy yourself forget about your deit for one meal

laserturkey

Before I was gluten free I used to like the minestrone soup at Olive Garden, but then there are the breadsticks they keep shoving at you.

The BWW naked tenders are pretty low calorie. My husband gets those for takeout sometimes.

LindaZ5

Applebys have the fit menu and 555 calorie options with a protein and 2 delicious veggies, grilled zucchini, asparagus and spaghetti squash. I had a wonderful meal there during vacation. Or I look to get grilled fish or chicken and then choose veggies for the sides. There are good options on most menus. Enjoy your dinner!!

sc1572

Applebees- I'm going there with a friend tonight, and they have a 550 calorie or under menu
Olive Garden- Tough one to get something low calorie, but you could always split a meal or take half home
Chili's - They have a lot of low cal options, but just watch the sodium

diver71_au

I am with adawson555 .... get out and enjoy a night off. BUT don't go too crazy or you will hate yourself after.

etajr

We have a lot to choose from
Longhorn Steakhouse
Applebees
Olive Garden
Bob Evans
Cracker Barrel
Outback Steakhouse
Carrabba's
Buffalo Wild Wings
Boston Market
Chili's

I was looking at Outback's menu and they seem to have some really good options there.

Total Meal - Victoria’S Filet® 6 oz - & Fresh Steamed French Green Beans & Grilled Asparagus
Nutritional Facts*
Calories 326 cal
Calories from Total Fat 139 cal
Carbohydrates 10 g
Dietary Fiber 6 g
Total Fat 15 g
Saturated Fat 6 g
Trans Fat 0.6 g
Protein 40 g
Cholesterol 77 mg
Sugars 3 g
Sodium 624 mg

A little high in sodium and cholesterol, but hey nothings perfect.

I would go with Outback your above choice is great.. Don't get hung up on the sodium - you can sweat that out the next morning. Also do not worry about the cholesterol... our oral cholesterol intake is small compared to what our livers produce. The Carbs are the real killers and you are in great shape there....

gshoemaker06

It's good you're doing research before hand, but I wouldn't focus on it too much. Get what you want, but if it's not one of there "low cal" or "trim" options, then I would recommend taking your time and only plan on eating half!

ashlielinn

I have many of these things around me, too! Based on your list...here are some suggestions

Longhorn Steakhouse - they have grilled fish options that are AMAZING and their veggie sides are delicious! Definitely can be a very healthy option!
Applebees - they don't really have much that's low cal or not packed with sodium, but they do have a lower cal menu. I'd look it up online
Olive Garden - the ravioli de portabella is AMAZING and around 600-700 cals. By far, not "low calorie", but it is the best option on their menu, and if you workout and account for it, go ahead! Get the salad without dressing, and only have one bread stick
Bob Evans - they have some "farm fresh" options that aren't too bad for you!
Cracker Barrel - this a tough one. Stick with fresh salads, no fried toppings, and dressing on the side.
Buffalo Wild Wings - there's not really anything I can recommend here, but their wings ARE yummy

Hope this is a little helpful! I look up EVERYTHING online before I go and pick the best option for that day.

Aleluya17

I look forward to trying some of your suggestions in the future, something came up and our date night was canceled. I have to say i'm rather disappointed. I understand the view point of the people who told me to just go out and enjoy a meal without thinking about it, but i'm not just on a diet, i'm trying to change my entire lifestyle which means learning to be healthy when I do get to go out and eat.

Aleluya17

I have many of these things around me, too! Based on your list...here are some suggestions

Longhorn Steakhouse - they have grilled fish options that are AMAZING and their veggie sides are delicious! Definitely can be a very healthy option!
Applebees - they don't really have much that's low cal or not packed with sodium, but they do have a lower cal menu. I'd look it up online
Olive Garden - the ravioli de portabella is AMAZING and around 600-700 cals. By far, not "low calorie", but it is the best option on their menu, and if you workout and account for it, go ahead! Get the salad without dressing, and only have one bread stick
Bob Evans - they have some "farm fresh" options that aren't too bad for you!
Cracker Barrel - this a tough one. Stick with fresh salads, no fried toppings, and dressing on the side.
Buffalo Wild Wings - there's not really anything I can recommend here, but their wings ARE yummy

Hope this is a little helpful! I look up EVERYTHING online before I go and pick the best option for that day.

This was awesome, even if I didn't get to go out tonight!

ashlielinn

I have many of these things around me, too! Based on your list...here are some suggestions

Longhorn Steakhouse - they have grilled fish options that are AMAZING and their veggie sides are delicious! Definitely can be a very healthy option!
Applebees - they don't really have much that's low cal or not packed with sodium, but they do have a lower cal menu. I'd look it up online
Olive Garden - the ravioli de portabella is AMAZING and around 600-700 cals. By far, not "low calorie", but it is the best option on their menu, and if you workout and account for it, go ahead! Get the salad without dressing, and only have one bread stick
Bob Evans - they have some "farm fresh" options that aren't too bad for you!
Cracker Barrel - this a tough one. Stick with fresh salads, no fried toppings, and dressing on the side.
Buffalo Wild Wings - there's not really anything I can recommend here, but their wings ARE yummy

Hope this is a little helpful! I look up EVERYTHING online before I go and pick the best option for that day.

This was awesome, even if I didn't get to go out tonight!

Glad I could help!