Oh my god! Chili's calories *faint*

We're meeting friends tonight at Chili's (no idea why they always chose fastfood outlets) and I just looked at the nutritional values of their food. OMG! How can it not be a crime to serve something like that? An appetizer with 1900kcal and 135 grams of fat and more salt than I eat in three days? O.o A salad containing nearly as much calories as I eat on a whole day!

Appetizers aren't meant to be eaten all by yourself. They're meant to be shared by everyone at the table, and are just supposed to hold you over until the main course arrives. It's not a whole meal all by itself. So yes, if you're eating an entire appetizer all by yourself, you're going to blow your diet - pretty much no matter what that diet might be. For example, you're only supposed to be having 1 or 2 mozzarrella sticks: not the whole plate!

And that "salad" is meant to be an entire meal - not combined with an appetizer on top of it.

Remember that nothing obligates you to eating the entire thing just because they set it down in front of you. Whether you're at Chili's or a friend's house, it's always your job to control your portions. Check out the nutritional infomation beforehand. If you see that scrumptous meal that you have your eye on is double the amount of calories you have available, just eat half and put the rest in a doggie bag for tomorrow. BOOM! Two meals. No diet breakdown. Problem solved.

We're meeting friends tonight at Chili's (no idea why they always chose fastfood outlets) and I just looked at the nutritional values of their food. OMG! How can it not be a crime to serve something like that? An appetizer with 1900kcal and 135 grams of fat and more salt than I eat in three days? O.o A salad containing nearly as much calories as I eat on a whole day!

Appetizers aren't meant to be eaten all by yourself. They're meant to be shared by everyone at the table, and are just supposed to hold you over until the main course arrives. It's not a whole meal all by itself. So yes, if you're eating an entire appetizer all by yourself, you're going to blow your diet - pretty much no matter what that diet might be. For example, you're only supposed to be having 1 or 2 mozzarrella sticks: not the whole plate!

And that "salad" is meant to be an entire meal - not combined with an appetizer on top of it.

Remember that nothing obligates you to eating the entire thing just because they set it down in front of you. Whether you're at Chili's or a friend's house, it's always your job to control your portions. Check out the nutritional infomation beforehand. If you see that scrumptous meal that you have your eye on is double the amount of calories you have available, just eat half and put the rest in a doggie bag for tomorrow. BOOM! Two meals. No diet breakdown. Problem solved.

No offense, but kinda conflicty there. Appetizers are meant to be shared and tie you over until the food comes (yes), but entrées aren't meant to be combined with appetizers? But you just said those are meant to be shared until the food comes.

And I'm adding: just like at home, there's no law that says you have to eat the whole thing. If you live in a country where take away is common, take half home.

They do have some "lighter choices" available. The sodium is still going to be through the roof but the calorie counts are more "reasonable" or resemble something reasonable. Not what I would call flavorful options though... *shrugs* I just have a bowl of soup and call it a day.

LOL I used to work there and ate there all the time because it was free and they didn't pay much, but I am still 3 years later working off those calories!!!!!!!

Dude: http://www.chilis.com/EN/Pages/menuitem.aspx?CatId=C918423

This, like for real. I'm reading through this post thinking... I eat at chili's like once a month or so and I do just fine.
I never go over 550 calories when I eat there. If you want burgers or crispy chicken, eat it but don't complain about how much fat it has. Common Sense.

when we go to chilis , i order a chicken breast grilled , and a plain baked potato. also the side salad with dressing on the side. My local branch will do this for me ,not sure about other branches.

What I love about these types of places are how their light section of the menu typically proudly proclaims how their options are all under 600 calories.. or some other embarrassingly high number to be considered "light."

What I love about these types of places are how their light section of the menu typically proudly proclaims how their options are all under 600 calories.. or some other embarrassingly high number to be considered "light."

Depending on what your daily calorie consumption is 600 calories might not be a lot to someone. In all honesty based on the calories of some of the meals out there I'd consider 600 calories to be "light". Most of my daily meals that I prepare myself are around the 500-600 calorie range.

What I love about these types of places are how their light section of the menu typically proudly proclaims how their options are all under 600 calories.. or some other embarrassingly high number to be considered "light."

Depending on what your daily calorie consumption is 600 calories might not be a lot to someone. In all honesty based on the calories of some of the meals out there I'd consider 600 calories to be "light". Most of my daily meals that I prepare myself are around the 500-600 calorie range.

I know right? I recently ate at Don Pablo and thought I was doing so well ordering Mama's Skinny Enchiladas which were said to have less than 500 calories because the tortillas were heated in water instead of oil. What they don't tell you is that those same "skinny" enchiladas contain something like 1500 milligrams of sodium.

Not reading 3 pages but just wanted to add, if it hasn't been said already, Get half the portion to go. That makes a 1000 cal meal into a 500 cal meal and more manageable. I do it all the time eating out.

Is it an American restaurant?

I usually get ignored because I think people don't believe me. But, be ready for me to blow your mind.

The restaurants ignore portions, but the calorie count is for one portion. I've tested this out by asking a few restaurants. The ones that know have always said it's about 2 to 3 portions or something.

So, when it says 1,200 calories, that is for one serving. But, on your plate, you could have 3 servings.

It's something I wish the industry who is making them list calories, would also make them serve single portions, if requested.

I think this is why, when someone eats out a lot, they tend to gain weight, even though they are logging all their food.

Haha, really? I mean, typically it says it's for 'one plate'.

For the love of God, if you don't like what they're serving, don't go there. It's as freaking simple as that.

Good grief, you people need to get over the sodium content. Unless you have a medical condition, sodium is not a big bad evil. Drink some extra fluids and it gets flushed right out of your system.

OP, I have been learning, if you are willing to look and sometimes make special requests, you can get a healthy low calorie meal just about anywhere. Including Chili's. There is a particular customer I call on that loves Chili's so I know I have to eat there when I meet with him. I don't recall exactly but I think I usually have no issue getting a healthy meal. Heck I may throw in a beer or two as well depending on if I am staying in town.