Ever eat an enormous number of cals at a restaurant without realizing? (aka the 1000 cal dessert)

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Replies

  • Noelv1976
    Noelv1976 Posts: 18,948 Member
    B dubs will kill you. Didn't realize their small portion of the boneless wings was 1200 calories, not including fries!! I had that after my mozzeralla apps. Let's just say, I ran a lot that week.
  • DeWoSa
    DeWoSa Posts: 496 Member
    OP, I ordered fish tacos the other day, then checked their website for the calories. I had 1100 left to spend for the day. The fish tacos were 1290.

    Fish tacos!

    When the server came back, I said I just wanted the fish tacos, not the cheese and sour cream that came with it.

    Then I ate a wheelbarrow full of garlic Parmesan cheese fries.

    Priorities, amirite?
  • DeWoSa
    DeWoSa Posts: 496 Member
    exstromn wrote: »
    Went out to eat at a place called Brother Sebastians where the waiters dress up in monk's robes and they play gregorian chant music while you wait to be seated, anyway after appetizers, bread, meal, wine and dessert I was soooo out of the ball park and miserable full. I think my total for just that meal was over 2000 and I had already consumed 800 before dinner. I tried to plan ahead and log ahead but I wasnt counting on the wine, bread and dessert. Eventhough I doubled my calories for the day I still started fresh the next morning and stayed on track. Every day is a new day.

    BEST RESTAURANT IDEA EVER
  • The crazy thing is that even Subway (where I work) has some extremely high calorie foods - one of the subs is over 1000 calories alone, without sauces and cheese! But I'm vegan so whenever I go out to eat I always end up getting the garden salad without dressing (blech!) so I'm safe!
    It's just when I get home and see that damn peanut butter jar that I tend to go over :neutral_face:
  • DeWoSa
    DeWoSa Posts: 496 Member
    Alidecker wrote: »

    I agree on this, people go out and order a salad thinking it is low cal, and it may be compared to other items on the menu, but they still end up incredibly high.

    I was listening to a McDonald's commercial the other day, and they were talking about their kids meal having health friendly apples or some crap like that, and I thought:

    Who goes to McDonald's to get healthy food? Isn't the whole point of McDonald's to be a treat where you can get something you can't otherwise make at home?

    Cooking. The struggle is real.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    shooters/shot glass desserts just make me stabby- who wants that. that's not a dessert- that's a snack.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    Emilia777 wrote: »
    @Francl27 Those creme brûlées must be either giant or overloaded with sugar (or both). I distinctly recall having this in Paris when I was studying abroad and it came in a tiny 2” diameter 1/2” tall ramekin: it was the perfect portion size, and not overly sweet. I wish more restaurants in North America reduced serving sizes, especially for desserts. This ties in with what @DawnieB1977‌ is saying. And @CrabNebula‌ .

    I've seen a newer chain of restaurants (at least, only been in Texas for a few years) called Seasons 52 that has seasonal and local foods on the menu. All menu items are under a certain calorie limit (450ish I think), and you can get multiple courses (we usually split an appetizer before the main course) and not feel quite so bad. And deserts come in a shot glass. It's the perfect amount to get the satisfying flavor but not enough to stuff yourself after your first two courses.

    I was actually going to post about Season's 52 dessert shot glasses before I saw your post. Those were my restaurant shocker--they're literally about 3 bites of dessert, which seems like a very reasonable portion. Except almost all of them max out their 450 calorie max! It just seems like a lot for a couple of bites. Now when I go there I just ask for some fresh berries and a dollop of whip cream in the shot glass.

    Hm, I guess I didn't realize they were that bad (the seem so small). I went for the carrot cake, which is only 270 calories according to their website. Although, now that I think about it, for 290 calories, I think I'd rather have one of these:
    trader-joes-inside-out-carrot-cake.jpg?w=590&h=369
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    DeWoSa wrote: »
    Alidecker wrote: »

    I agree on this, people go out and order a salad thinking it is low cal, and it may be compared to other items on the menu, but they still end up incredibly high.

    I was listening to a McDonald's commercial the other day, and they were talking about their kids meal having health friendly apples or some crap like that, and I thought:

    Who goes to McDonald's to get healthy food? Isn't the whole point of McDonald's to be a treat where you can get something you can't otherwise make at home?

    Cooking. The struggle is real.

    Meh. My kids go to McDonalds for the crappy toys in the Happy Meals. They insist they actually like the food... but really they just want to see what chotchkie they are offering this week. Most of that junk ends up in a drawer, which I periodically sweep right into the trashcan...

    But actually what my kids eat at McD's are chicken nuggets and apple slices. Neither of them eat more than a couple of fries. Which is fine for me - if I'm eating with them, I order a McDouble and just eat one of their happy meal fries, which is about 100 cals.

  • kristydi
    kristydi Posts: 781 Member
    Emilia777 wrote: »
    So, I had to share this. I was at Swiss Chalet the other night (love their chicken, not gonna lie) with the bf and the kitchen was backed up because of a new employee. Long story short, we were offered a complimentary dessert to make up for the long waiting time. Silly naive souls that we are, we ended up getting the hot fudge brownie sundae, as we figured it can’t be that bad if you split it with someone.

    Yeah, no. I ate slightly less than half, simply because it was so rich, and we took bets on the calories (he said 600, I said 730). We then looked it up on the inter web, and behold: 1090 calories, 130 g of sugar (lord, that’s sweet).

    Moral of this story: always look up calories before you order. The rest of the meal was pre-planned and worked out fine.

    Did anything like this ever happen to you?

    my small DQ blizzard this past sunday. it wasn't a scheduled stop. i figured the small might have 400 calories or so.... nope. over 700!

    lol

    I got a freaking mini blizzard at DQ a while ago. I figured maybe 300. Nope that tiny thing packed 450 calories.
  • bennettinfinity
    bennettinfinity Posts: 865 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    auddii wrote: »
    Emilia777 wrote: »
    @Francl27 Those creme brûlées must be either giant or overloaded with sugar (or both). I distinctly recall having this in Paris when I was studying abroad and it came in a tiny 2” diameter 1/2” tall ramekin: it was the perfect portion size, and not overly sweet. I wish more restaurants in North America reduced serving sizes, especially for desserts. This ties in with what @DawnieB1977‌ is saying. And @CrabNebula‌ .

    I've seen a newer chain of restaurants (at least, only been in Texas for a few years) called Seasons 52 that has seasonal and local foods on the menu. All menu items are under a certain calorie limit (450ish I think), and you can get multiple courses (we usually split an appetizer before the main course) and not feel quite so bad. And deserts come in a shot glass. It's the perfect amount to get the satisfying flavor but not enough to stuff yourself after your first two courses.

    I was actually going to post about Season's 52 dessert shot glasses before I saw your post. Those were my restaurant shocker--they're literally about 3 bites of dessert, which seems like a very reasonable portion. Except almost all of them max out their 450 calorie max! It just seems like a lot for a couple of bites. Now when I go there I just ask for some fresh berries and a dollop of whip cream in the shot glass.

    Hm, I guess I didn't realize they were that bad (the seem so small). I went for the carrot cake, which is only 270 calories according to their website. Although, now that I think about it, for 290 calories, I think I'd rather have one of these:
    trader-joes-inside-out-carrot-cake.jpg?w=590&h=369

    Pfffft....! Carrot... that's not a cake! ;)
  • nickatine
    nickatine Posts: 451 Member
    Bloomin onion outback steakhouse need I say more.
  • peter56765
    peter56765 Posts: 352 Member
    DeWoSa wrote: »
    Alidecker wrote: »

    I agree on this, people go out and order a salad thinking it is low cal, and it may be compared to other items on the menu, but they still end up incredibly high.

    I was listening to a McDonald's commercial the other day, and they were talking about their kids meal having health friendly apples or some crap like that, and I thought:

    Who goes to McDonald's to get healthy food? Isn't the whole point of McDonald's to be a treat where you can get something you can't otherwise make at home?

    Cooking. The struggle is real.

    Actually, McDonalds is probably your best bet as far as chains go if you're watching your calories. A cheeseburger, small fries and a diet coke will only set you back 520 calories - not bad for a meal. They also have snack wraps, which despite the name are probably big enough of a portion for a meal, that check in at 260 calories. An Egg McMuffin is only 300 calories. The salads with grilled chicken are also around 300 calories.
  • fishshark
    fishshark Posts: 1,886 Member
    anytime we go out to eat to like a chain restaurant i KNOW I'm basically gonna a get a days worth of calories. From the alcoholic drinks to the appetizers to the desserts. Hey if I'm gonna go out to eat and enjoy life so be it. one day isn't going to completely ruin progress. As long as it isn't often I'm good.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    peter56765 wrote: »
    DeWoSa wrote: »
    Alidecker wrote: »

    I agree on this, people go out and order a salad thinking it is low cal, and it may be compared to other items on the menu, but they still end up incredibly high.

    I was listening to a McDonald's commercial the other day, and they were talking about their kids meal having health friendly apples or some crap like that, and I thought:

    Who goes to McDonald's to get healthy food? Isn't the whole point of McDonald's to be a treat where you can get something you can't otherwise make at home?

    Cooking. The struggle is real.

    Actually, McDonalds is probably your best bet as far as chains go if you're watching your calories. A cheeseburger, small fries and a diet coke will only set you back 520 calories - not bad for a meal. They also have snack wraps, which despite the name are probably big enough of a portion for a meal, that check in at 260 calories. An Egg McMuffin is only 300 calories. The salads with grilled chicken are also around 300 calories.

    Eh, for the amount of your cheeseburger meal, I'd rather have the fried chicken breast, mashed potato w/ gravy (or corn) and a cookie at KFC. Only works if you get original recipe, though. Extra crispy adds on about 170 cals.

    Other options are 3 fried chicken strips, side of corn and a biscuit at Church's. Think there's a similar meal option at Popeyes.
  • fishshark
    fishshark Posts: 1,886 Member
    edited March 2015
    I agree.. god i love fried chicken. and out of all the fast food KFC rarely makes me upset I ate it.. like that damn crispy chicken and gravy is something I can never regret haha.

  • Emilia777
    Emilia777 Posts: 978 Member
    DeWoSa wrote: »
    OP, I ordered fish tacos the other day, then checked their website for the calories. I had 1100 left to spend for the day. The fish tacos were 1290.

    Fish tacos!

    When the server came back, I said I just wanted the fish tacos, not the cheese and sour cream that came with it.

    Then I ate a wheelbarrow full of garlic Parmesan cheese fries.

    Priorities, amirite?

    Right on! Haha.
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    my favorite story is buying one (1) cookie at Whole Foods one day, I looked at the calories, 250. Not bad considering it was somewhat larger than the average store bought cookie, but not what I would call a "big cookie". Went home, ate my cookie, looked at the package again and noticed the serving size...this one (1) cookie had a serving size of 4. So the whole cookie was 1,000 calories. Mind you this was not a big cookie, I could see maybe half the cookie being one serving, but a quarter was barely a bite. Damn, though, that was a good cookie.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    Emilia777 wrote: »
    @Francl27 Those creme brûlées must be either giant or overloaded with sugar (or both). I distinctly recall having this in Paris when I was studying abroad and it came in a tiny 2” diameter 1/2” tall ramekin: it was the perfect portion size, and not overly sweet. I wish more restaurants in North America reduced serving sizes, especially for desserts. This ties in with what @DawnieB1977‌ is saying. And @CrabNebula‌ .

    I've seen a newer chain of restaurants (at least, only been in Texas for a few years) called Seasons 52 that has seasonal and local foods on the menu. All menu items are under a certain calorie limit (450ish I think), and you can get multiple courses (we usually split an appetizer before the main course) and not feel quite so bad. And deserts come in a shot glass. It's the perfect amount to get the satisfying flavor but not enough to stuff yourself after your first two courses.

    I keep meaning to go there but then you see that your entree comes without sides, and you have to add them up... so it's pretty easy to end up eating 1000 calories there too... when I checked I don't even think they had plain veggies as a side!
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    auddii wrote: »
    Emilia777 wrote: »
    @Francl27 Those creme brûlées must be either giant or overloaded with sugar (or both). I distinctly recall having this in Paris when I was studying abroad and it came in a tiny 2” diameter 1/2” tall ramekin: it was the perfect portion size, and not overly sweet. I wish more restaurants in North America reduced serving sizes, especially for desserts. This ties in with what @DawnieB1977‌ is saying. And @CrabNebula‌ .

    I've seen a newer chain of restaurants (at least, only been in Texas for a few years) called Seasons 52 that has seasonal and local foods on the menu. All menu items are under a certain calorie limit (450ish I think), and you can get multiple courses (we usually split an appetizer before the main course) and not feel quite so bad. And deserts come in a shot glass. It's the perfect amount to get the satisfying flavor but not enough to stuff yourself after your first two courses.

    I keep meaning to go there but then you see that your entree comes without sides, and you have to add them up... so it's pretty easy to end up eating 1000 calories there too... when I checked I don't even think they had plain veggies as a side!

    Personally, I wouldn't bother. Been there once, was not all that impressed with the food. I'd rather go somewhere else I like and just be more careful about what I eat.

    Lately, I've been liking Torchy's for tacos - and you can get a bowl if you don't want the tortilla, which I'll do every now and again.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    auddii wrote: »
    Emilia777 wrote: »
    @Francl27 Those creme brûlées must be either giant or overloaded with sugar (or both). I distinctly recall having this in Paris when I was studying abroad and it came in a tiny 2” diameter 1/2” tall ramekin: it was the perfect portion size, and not overly sweet. I wish more restaurants in North America reduced serving sizes, especially for desserts. This ties in with what @DawnieB1977‌ is saying. And @CrabNebula‌ .

    I've seen a newer chain of restaurants (at least, only been in Texas for a few years) called Seasons 52 that has seasonal and local foods on the menu. All menu items are under a certain calorie limit (450ish I think), and you can get multiple courses (we usually split an appetizer before the main course) and not feel quite so bad. And deserts come in a shot glass. It's the perfect amount to get the satisfying flavor but not enough to stuff yourself after your first two courses.

    I keep meaning to go there but then you see that your entree comes without sides, and you have to add them up... so it's pretty easy to end up eating 1000 calories there too... when I checked I don't even think they had plain veggies as a side!

    Yeah, I go in with the theory that I will eat two things or at least split an appetizer.
  • bookworm_847
    bookworm_847 Posts: 1,903 Member
    When I go out, I usually plan my meal and have one or two backups just in case. After I joined MFP, I thought it would be fun to see what my usual order at The Ram would be. Hubby and I would go about once a week. My usual came out to 3600ish calories! :ohwell:

    It is indeed a learning process.
  • faegirl22
    faegirl22 Posts: 60 Member
    I guess I'm pretty terrible. If my husband and I go out to eat, we're doing just that, going out, enjoying the company and good food, I don't plan, I order what I want. But then I make sure to get in a nice long walk before and after dinner (where we live, we take the train into the city to go out to dinner, tons of walking to be had) and usually go for a walk or bike ride the next day as well. I'd rather just enjoy the food that I'm paying for and work it off later. But, we also only go out to eat once or twice a month.
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
    Ever been to Gordon Biersch? They have several SALADS that are close to or over 1,000 calories.
    • Classic Chopped Salad (1 salad) with Creamy Herb Dressing: 1,007 calories
    • Classic Chopped Salad (1 salad) with Lemon Vinaigrette: 924 calories
    • Goat Cheese Spinach Salad (1 salad) with Add Grilled Salmon, Creamy Herb Dressing: 1,060 calories
    • Goat Cheese Spinach Salad (1 salad) with Add Grilled Chicken, Creamy Herb Dressing: 995 calories
    • Gorgonzola Pear Salad (1 salad) with Creamy Herb Dressing: 942 calories
    • Seafood Cobb Salad (1 salad) with Creamy Herb Dressing: 1,051 calories

    Of their dressings, a lot of people think "lemon vinaigrette" and think it is going to be lower calorie. Their lemon vinaigrette has more calories than their warm bacon vinaigrette, roasted jalapeno ranch dressing, and blue cheese dressing.
  • rhonderoo
    rhonderoo Posts: 145 Member
    I ate three (not even half) pieces of a flatbread pizza with pepperoni and sausage yesterday that was 618 calories.

    And Newk's salads. :( Over 1000 calories as well.
  • RobDowney
    RobDowney Posts: 2,445 Member
    Here is a good link for us Canadians: https://healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/participating-restaurants
    Hopefully the list will grow.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Ever been to Gordon Biersch? They have several SALADS that are close to or over 1,000 calories.
    • Classic Chopped Salad (1 salad) with Creamy Herb Dressing: 1,007 calories
    • Classic Chopped Salad (1 salad) with Lemon Vinaigrette: 924 calories
    • Goat Cheese Spinach Salad (1 salad) with Add Grilled Salmon, Creamy Herb Dressing: 1,060 calories
    • Goat Cheese Spinach Salad (1 salad) with Add Grilled Chicken, Creamy Herb Dressing: 995 calories
    • Gorgonzola Pear Salad (1 salad) with Creamy Herb Dressing: 942 calories
    • Seafood Cobb Salad (1 salad) with Creamy Herb Dressing: 1,051 calories

    Of their dressings, a lot of people think "lemon vinaigrette" and think it is going to be lower calorie. Their lemon vinaigrette has more calories than their warm bacon vinaigrette, roasted jalapeno ranch dressing, and blue cheese dressing.

    Yep I never order salad anymore. I like it ok sometimes, but it's often a hidden calorie bomb.
  • amo314
    amo314 Posts: 23 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Emilia777 wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    the mistake is in assuming that a hot fudge brownie Sunday would be UNDER 1000 calories...

    Well, brownie + 1 scoop vanilla ice cream + whipped cream doesn’t *have* to equal 1000+ cals. The issue was serving size, I think. I should have eaten half of half. The brownie part was bigger than a deck of cards, which I think is too big.

    We live and learn I guess.

    Also, cheesecake sounds yum.

    so you thought it was too big, but then under assumed the calories?




    Don't be a dick, man. She tried to compensate for not knowing the calories by eating half. She's admitting she made the mistake of underestimating the calories. Why badger her about it? What are you hoping to get out of your line of questioning?

    I'm all for slamming people who blame their lack of goal achievement on everything but their own inaccurate logging, but that's not what's going on here.

    Honestly, I love this! Thanks for saying it!

  • mccully
    mccully Posts: 4 Member
    The Turkey Bacon Club wrap at Original Joes (Pub style food) got me once. I had pre-screend most of the entree's but was having trouble with the internets before I left for our date night. I figured that it would be an OK bet but it was definitely 1000+ calories WITHOUT sides. And it wasn't that good. I should have just had what I really wanted (the Kona Burger, how I love you and your pineapple, your bacon and your butter brioche bun) because it was less than the monstrosity that I ate. What a bummer! Tracking food has put a dent into our eating out habits and I've definitely learned my lesson- since we are eating out less, my plan is to save up at least 1000 calories for the meal and enjoy (reallllly enjoy) whatever the heck I want.
  • csb66
    csb66 Posts: 32 Member
    Eating out can be tricky, Now that I logged everything, and I mean EVERYTHING into My fitness Pal, I check the menu of the restaurant before going, and I know exactly what I can eat, and how much. I love this site, it's awesome!
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    DeWoSa wrote: »
    OP, I ordered fish tacos the other day, then checked their website for the calories. I had 1100 left to spend for the day. The fish tacos were 1290.

    Fish tacos!

    When the server came back, I said I just wanted the fish tacos, not the cheese and sour cream that came with it.

    Then I ate a wheelbarrow full of garlic Parmesan cheese fries.

    Priorities, amirite?

    Amen

    Man, this thread is giving me serious flashbacks. Being nervous about places that don't list calorie information? Only going out to eat a couple times a month as a calorie control strategy? Knowing that restaurant meals are generally calorie bombs? Only the people saying this are actually considered normal. That's nice :)

    And I want some desert
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