Restaurant calories

rdkstar
rdkstar Posts: 260 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Does the posted calories on a menu include all items on plate?

Examples:
1. Sandwich that comes with French fries. I don't eat the French fries. But they are together on menu with calories.
2. Chicken, potatoes, and vegetable. Are they all include in calories?

Sometimes I don't eat a side so I need to know if I should be subtracting from total. Our if the side is extra.

Replies

  • PinkyFett
    PinkyFett Posts: 842 Member
    Best bet is to ask at the restaurant.
  • manicautumn
    manicautumn Posts: 224 Member
    I tend to log the main item (i.e. burger) and the side separately.

    As for your second question, it depends on whether they are a PART of the meal or additions/sides, I think. Check out the given totals and see whether they seem realistic with how the individual things should add up.

    Restaurants are always going to be a gamble though, you have no way of knowing whether that specific dish is made in the exact proportions given.
  • sargessexyone
    sargessexyone Posts: 494 Member
    If you're looking at the nutritional information from the restaurants website it will usually say if it includes sides or not.
  • Rochester_mom
    Rochester_mom Posts: 100 Member
    Good question, but I think the menu will indicate add xxx amount of calories if you order the dish with chicken, shrimp etc. So, I assume that the calorie count shown on the menu is for all the food that comes on the plate assuming I don't add something to the dish.
  • airangel59
    airangel59 Posts: 1,887 Member
    I always ask. If I check a menu online ahead of time, I'll shoot off an email to the restaurant or call to be sure. Sometimes the manager is on the ball and can will know or how to find out for you.
  • MaggieLoo79
    MaggieLoo79 Posts: 288 Member
    Restaurants are always going to be a gamble though, you have no way of knowing whether that specific dish is made in the exact proportions given.

    Didn't Applebee's get busted for this? They were posting weight watchers points or calories on the menu, but the restaurants were actually serving larger portions. I can't remember where I saw or read that. It makes sense though. I imagine they can pre-weigh and measure some things, but other things - especially on a busy night - get estimated. :sad:
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    I log all items separately just to be on the safe side.
  • Yagisama
    Yagisama Posts: 595 Member
    I take my food scale to the restaurant, separate each item into my special weight bowls, measure the calories of everything and cut each item into an exact portion, mix everything up together and eat after I log everything.

    Not really. :wink:

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