Eating Out

Yes, it can be hard to guess (especially at first) which are the low-calorie options on a restaurant, if the menu doesn't say. If you can't check the nutrition facts on line before you go, you could ask the server if they have any pamphlets or other written materials with nutrition info -- or check your phone for online nutrition info while you're sitting there.

I always roll with grilled fish tacos mmmmm.....

Is it a particularly large salad? I would only eat half if it was.

My problem is a lot of portions at restaurants are so large. I find eating only half of what I order and taking the rest home helps.

Never trust salads. I usually pick a steak or chicken, and steamed veggies as a side.

Last weekend I was out running errands and my parents asked me to stop at Taco Bell and pick up lunch. They had seen the ads on tv for the new double tacos and wanted to try them. I thought, I'll be good and just get a salad. When I got home and logged it in the Fiesta Salad with Grilled chicken was 710 calories! I could have eaten two supreme burritos with less calories! Good thing I don't go there often, it was a splurge and was sooo not worth it.

OMG! over 1200 calories for the salad??? (I just checked their site). I mean I look before I go too but I have been dieting for a long time (successfully but I put on weight from an injury so Im back lol) and I still would NOT have expected 1200+ calories for a grilled chicken salad just WOW! It is likely the dressing??? or nuts/cheese if they are in it? Definitely check on your phone or something before hand. I do that! Unless you have a cheat day which is totally OK but wow Id be as shocked as you and Im not a newbie!

EDIT: HOLD UP I just saw the lunch one is 460 lol ok THATS NOT BAD at all??

Carebear199125 wrote: »

I saw the steak on the menu, unfortunately I'm not a large steak fan but I may have to. The salad was on a good size, I didn't eat breakfast(bad mistake) so I ate majority of it.

You do not need to here are some options I saw

Thai Shrimp salad 380 cal

Boneless wings (no sauce or dressing) 680 dressing or sauce is about an extra 200calories each...so 800 if you pick one or the other. BUT share? eat half and maybe have a veggie side and youd be good to go. If you do the "build your sampler" and eat just the boneless wings they are under 400 calories without dressing so youre getting about a half order

Grilled chicken wonton tacos - 480 calories

The sirloin IS very low calorie... under 300 calories....however other options are:

Cedar grilled salmon 340

Double glazed, half rack of ribs without sauce 470 and the sauce only adds 60-80 calories so maximum is about 550 not too bad!

Bone-in pork chop with honey apple chutney 560

Your best sides at Applebees are:

Steamed Broccoli 90 cal
Wood-Fired Grilled Veggies 160 cal
Garlicky Green Beans 180 calories
Hearty grains and rice 250cal
Garlic Mashed Potatoes 260 cal

Although, if you eat half of your side youd be good either way because theyd all be 100-300 calories...

Fiesta chicken chopped salad (lunch portion) 340 calories OR get the full one and eat half for 425 cal (dressing included) the full salad is 850cal

I always ask for dressing on the side - saves having a salad drowned in dressing, and calories I don't want or need!

This is why now I love that places with more than one or two locations must put calorie counts on the menus for each item (at least where I am in Ontario they are required to). Makes eating out much easier and no need to look at the website before going.

Salads are crazy sometimes with the calorie counts! Especially with the dressing (always get it on the side so you control how much you have) and anything like crispy chicken.