Your Favorite Healthy Eating Out Choices in the USA

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Replies

  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Most chain restaurants have their menus with caloric information available online. You can eat responsibly at almost any restaurant if you're careful. The problem is resisting the high calorie food once you look at the menu.

    This. Especially desserts :sad:

    But a lot of local restaurants here don't have much of a choice if you want to avoid sauces and high calorie foods, so I'd stick to chains that have calories on their websites unless you don't mind ordering something with sauces and condiments on the side, and not cooked in butter/oil. Plus most places don't give calories inside the restaurant, even if it's on their website, and the only restaurants I know that have a 'light menu' are Applebee's, Cheesecake Factory, On the Border, Chili's, Olive Garden,
    Ruby Tuesday, and obviously any steakhouse as you can just order steak and veggies. I'm sure there are others though.

    Panera here does not have calories on the menu, at least they didn't last time I checked :(
  • justcat206
    justcat206 Posts: 716 Member
    I'm in Kansas and I love Jimmy John's for their "unwiches" (lettuce instead of bread), Red Robin's lettuce wrap burgers (without cheese) aren't super calorie crazy as far as burgers go (and they're huge) - they also have some awesome salads. I do a lot of Wendy's salads or salads from Subway. And honestly it's a little spendy but I'm a big fan of picking up yogurt or fruit or cobb salad kits at the gas station or a grocery store and eating it in the car.
  • amberj32
    amberj32 Posts: 663 Member
    Panera Bread is a good choice like many mentioned. Firehouse Subs has some good subs. They aren't in CA where I am but I get them every time I go to Tucson, AZ. The chain restaurants are all starting to offer some lower calorie items. Never heard of this Wawa everyone on here is talking about. Since I'm from CA I personally love In-N-Out! Double double, grilled onions protein style(or not). I'm diabetic so I have to decide between the bun or fries, not both.
  • hallo_spacedog
    hallo_spacedog Posts: 40 Member
    Dang, well Wawa USED to be pretty limited in scope to my native NJ, however I am glad to hear that this is not the case any more!

    EDIT: More on topic, um... if you can't find a Wawa... I don't know. I guess accept the fact you're gonna gain a little weight on Vacation, enjoy yourself. I would say don't eat at chain places if you can avoid it, because the food at other places is way better but if you're on the road that's not always a choice. Easier now with Yelp though, these days.
    If you've been out of the country for a while though, Five Guys is pretty good! In the middle of the country I LOVE steak n shake. And if you're out west, then it's In N Out burger all the way. Other than that I don't really like fast food.
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    Which states are you traveling through? Are you going on the 95 corridor? Subway is freaking everywhere along the highways. Chipotle.. not so much. I have held my hunger multiple hours to get to the next Chipotle.

    Panera has recently made their calorie information even more transparent. Their salads are awesome: https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/menu-categories/salads.html I usually get the paninis, but that's much more "make it fit the calories" vs "eating low cal."

    If you tell us the general area you're going we can be of better assistance. There are a lot of chains that don't repeat as much as you'd think, especially regionally (like Wawa, Blimpie, etc).

    ETA: Wawa has some great pre-packaged cheese and grapes-type packs. Hummus and carrots. Veggie + spread. You get the idea. They also have hard boiled eggs, yoghurts, hot oatmeal, and smoothies.

    Hi there, we will be traveling through the south - Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and the panhandle of Florida :)

    Thanks so much for sharing - Wawa sounds great although not on our journey.
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    Applebee's and Olive Garden both have a "lighter " section where the entire meal us under 500 calories and they are clearly marked on the menu. I dont eat in very often but they have car side to go which i do every so many months for a treat ( hate eating out with crowds)

    The grilled chicken lasagna at Olive Garden is one of my favorites! ugh its a light ricotta and summer veg lasagna, very light n fluffy topped with grilled chicken and the BIGGEST salad you ever seen hehe

    Also for a quick bite through the drive through. A small chili and baked potato at Wendy's is under 500

    Low calorie is becoming quite popular and a majority of places now have a few selections on the diet friendly list. I suggest checking for eating establishments in the area you are visiting and looking at the online menu's ( and try not to drool too badly lol)

    Super tips - thank you. Good to know that lighter menus are becoming more popular :)
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    I've had the Napa Chicken & Portobello's at Applebee's and liked it.

    480 calories
    14g fat
    Sat. fat 3.5g
    Sodium 1450
    Carbs 35g
    Fiber 5
    Protein 54
    They have other 'light' menu items.
    Their nutrition guide: http://www.applebees.com/~/media/docs/Applebees_Nutritional_Info.pdf

    I recently had the 'Lasagna Primavera with Grilled Chicken' at Olive Garden and while it was tasty the portion was reallllly small. Like child's size, maybe smaller. Which I guess is why it's on the 'lighter side' menu choices. :laugh:


    Calories 560
    Fat 29g
    Sat fat 10g
    Sodium 1700
    Carbs 41g
    Protein 38g
    Their nutrition guide:
    http://media.olivegarden.com/en_us/pdf/olive_garden_nutrition.pdf

    Both sound yummy :) thanks for sharing :)
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    I usually eat at Subway or Chipotle. My rationale is that I "control" what goes into my meal to some extent. Of course, you can get less healthy options at both...and load both up with less than stellar options.

    My default at Subway is a 6 in. Turkey & Cheese (no mayo); it's just over 300cals. My default at Chipotle is the chicken tacos with veggies and salsa...and yes, sour cream. That's closer to 600 cals, but 42 grams of protein.

    Looks like one of the first stops will be Chipotle - I am drooling already :)
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    I should add...we went to England/Scotland in 2007. We ate at groceries stores for the majority of our meals (I can't remember the big chain there). We bought sandwiches from the deli and supplement with yogurt cups/fruit/etc. That worked very well for us. You could do the same here. Depends on where you are going, but stores like Giant should have a premade sandwich section.

    Great idea! I love Publix for the same thing when I come to the USA. We will however be visiting family members who are spread out and they will want to eat out...so good to have some options to suggest for venues :)

    Hope you enjoyed Scotland - very unique and beautiful country.
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    The problem is resisting the high calorie food once you look at the menu.

    Indeed! ;) If I can plan ahead of time, that will help tremendously. Also difficult to stay away from the free bread/tortilla chips/bread sticks that they just give away there - they don't do that here so never a temptation.
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member

    ETA: Oh, now that I think of it, I did try the Hook & Ladder Light sub at Firehouse last weekend for about 450 calories.

    Sounds delish - will try if we come across that chain.
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    don't know which part of the country you will be in, but if you are looking for fast food, Chic Fil A has grilled chicken sandwiches, and grilled chicken nuggets. You can get a cup of fruit instead of the fries and it is a quick and healthy alternative...

    MMM, love Chick Fil A! Good ideas :) Hard to stay away from those Waffle fries however!
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    I second Panera. I can fill up there very easily for 400-600 calories. They have a great online meal builder tool that lets you plan ahead. They even tell you what soups are on the menu that day.

    Oh that's great! There's a chain here called Nandos that has a similar tool. Very helpful when planning - I'll definitely make this one of our stops :)
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    http://www.exercise4weightloss.com/weight-watchers-points.html

    I found this when I was doing WW and when compared to the websites it seems pretty accurate for calorie count and whatnot. Just a nice, one-stop shop resource for finding options.

    Oh thank you! :)
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    Cracker Barrel is actually quite EASY for eating out.
    They've added a few new lighter options and they have more veggie choices than most places.
    Yes, a lot of their veggies have added sugar/butter/fat BUT still less calories than most side dish options anywhere else.

    The oven baked chicken breast is coated in cornflake crumbs and is SOOOO yummy for 290 calories per portion.

    Their grilled catfish is 120 calories per piece.

    I love CB :) Will definitely be eating there - thanks for the ideas.
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    I'm going to go get some Chic-fil-a grilled nuggets for lunch today. 200 calories and 34 grams of protein for 12 nuggets is hard to argue with.

    Will definitely have to try these! Sounds great!
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    Consider breakfast food.You can get eggs, bacon, grits (skip the bread) at Denny's for 540 calories.
    Or go to a place that has grilled chicken/fish/steak with veggies: Chili's has a 6 oz Sirloin for 250 calories.
    I also like the Australian Outback for small steak and veggies.
    Good luck on your trip.

    Thank you :) Great ideas.
  • bkthandler
    bkthandler Posts: 247 Member
    They are not very common but: https://www.freshii.com/us

    I am addicted to the Ninja Wrap, I add chicken and Kale and have them go light on the dressing more because I don't like too much. They have lots of options.
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    If I'm eating fast food I love the Southwest Salad from McDonalds. It doesn't even need dressing and is like 290 calories. The chicken flatbreads from Wendy's are ok too.

    Thank you :)
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    Applebee's had an Under 550/Weigh Watchers menu that is good.

    IHOP also has a Light/Weight Watchers selection as well.

    Love Panera Bread, and depending on the area of the country it's St. Louis Bread Co.

    Noodles can be ok as long as you order the small serving.

    Hubby's family loves IHOP, so very good to know as we will no doubt be eating there.
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    I'm in Kansas and I love Jimmy John's for their "unwiches" (lettuce instead of bread), Red Robin's lettuce wrap burgers (without cheese) aren't super calorie crazy as far as burgers go (and they're huge) - they also have some awesome salads. I do a lot of Wendy's salads or salads from Subway. And honestly it's a little spendy but I'm a big fan of picking up yogurt or fruit or cobb salad kits at the gas station or a grocery store and eating it in the car.

    All sound great. Thanks for sharing :)
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    Panera Bread is a good choice like many mentioned. Firehouse Subs has some good subs. They aren't in CA where I am but I get them every time I go to Tucson, AZ. The chain restaurants are all starting to offer some lower calorie items. Never heard of this Wawa everyone on here is talking about. Since I'm from CA I personally love In-N-Out! Double double, grilled onions protein style(or not). I'm diabetic so I have to decide between the bun or fries, not both.

    Definitely going to try Panera and Firehouse subs after reading on here. We'll be in the southeast - but have been in CA and In-N-Out was great!
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    Dang, well Wawa USED to be pretty limited in scope to my native NJ, however I am glad to hear that this is not the case any more!

    EDIT: More on topic, um... if you can't find a Wawa... I don't know. I guess accept the fact you're gonna gain a little weight on Vacation, enjoy yourself. I would say don't eat at chain places if you can avoid it, because the food at other places is way better but if you're on the road that's not always a choice. Easier now with Yelp though, these days.
    If you've been out of the country for a while though, Five Guys is pretty good! In the middle of the country I LOVE steak n shake. And if you're out west, then it's In N Out burger all the way. Other than that I don't really like fast food.

    Thank so much :) A little weight will be okay - but last time I went back for 2 weeks it was too much :(
  • fittoday14
    fittoday14 Posts: 128
    If you see a Whole Foods or Safeway, go inside and get food from their buffet's.. they have everything you'd want to eat and then some. Even sushi!
  • LianaG1115
    LianaG1115 Posts: 453 Member
    Can't go wrong asking for grilled chicken and salad with the dressing on the side.
  • fittoday14
    fittoday14 Posts: 128
    Wawa is only in the NJ, PA maybe DE area though.

    There are two WAWA's in Southern VA as well.. in the Williamsburg, VA area.
  • MissSarahAllison315
    MissSarahAllison315 Posts: 263 Member
    Outback has some great under 500 options....I get the grilled chicken without butter, a side salad with the dressing on the side, and you're looking at under 500 with lots of protein!! :)
  • Julzanne72
    Julzanne72 Posts: 468 Member
    Texas Roadhouse has THE BEST Grilled Chicken Salad's I have ever tasted!!!!
  • klkarlen
    klkarlen Posts: 4,366 Member
    Red Lobster has their Lighthouse menu items, you create your own healthy/low-cal meal.

    https://www.redlobster.com/health/smart_meal/
  • FancyPantsFran
    FancyPantsFran Posts: 3,687 Member
    I second Panera. I can fill up there very easily for 400-600 calories. They have a great online meal builder tool that lets you plan ahead. They even tell you what soups are on the menu that day.

    Panera is also nice b/c they have the calories for each dish listed in plain sight on the menu in the restaurant. And their food tastes great!

    Paneara also does and 1/2 and 1/2 option you can get half of a sandwich and half of a salad or soup or anything else off the menus

    also you can substitute bread with an apple...

    Olive Garden and Applebees have low cal section on their menus. Ruby Tuesdays doesnt

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