Fast Food Surprise

pghfan
pghfan Posts: 119
edited October 1 in Food and Nutrition
I usually bring my lunch to stay better on track but yesterday I had to run out and grab something so I went to Wendy's and chose the baked potato with one little thing of "buttery spread" and one packet of RF sour cream and a Caesar side salad with the lemon dressing. Mostly because I know how quick those stats add up for the big specialty salads. Turns out I could have had a junior bacon cheeseburger and small fries and saved myself 70 calories. (740 vs. 670) I know, the potato and salad were healthier choices overall, but sheesh! That burger and fries would have been good! :sad:
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Replies

  • dayzeerock
    dayzeerock Posts: 918 Member
    Caesar salad is NEVER good for you...that dressing is loaded with fatty crap.
  • ☆ShawnsMom08☆
    ☆ShawnsMom08☆ Posts: 74 Member
    Isn't that just crazy! :noway:
  • mimi2kk
    mimi2kk Posts: 75 Member
    LOL, that junior bacon cheeseburger does sound pretty good though!
  • Fat_2_Fit_Mommy
    Fat_2_Fit_Mommy Posts: 569 Member
    Hmm I never really think about this lol. Cause I would always thought a salad would be a better option.. oh well I guess thats why we learn from this.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I actually had one of those junior bacon cheeseburgers (without mayo) the other day while road tripping. It was NOT good.

    I do like plain hamburgers from McDonalds though. My go-to fast food lunch is usually a McDs hamburger, side salad with vinaigrette and an ice cream cone! I think it comes to less than 600 calories.
  • fuminator18
    fuminator18 Posts: 89 Member
    are you serious? that potato...or just a small butter spread did it, i bet
  • doodlekakes
    doodlekakes Posts: 14 Member
    That is so crazy. Eating the burger and fries feels like such an indulgence, and I need that sometimes to stay on the right track. I always seem to go over in fat when I have a small fast food meal, but I usually just focus on the calories and sugar. I really admire all of the "clean" eaters, but I need my junk sometimes!
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    Wow. well next time you know. lol i got a grilled chicken supreme with fries and a diet coke from there before. i tossed of half the fries in the garbage and it added up to about 500 calories. oh i asked for no mayo on my sandwich too. You need to do your research before you order next time because there are some hidden goodies out there that we can still enjoy. :)
  • SomethingElseToo
    SomethingElseToo Posts: 14
    At Wendy's, the ½ size Chicken Apple Pecan salad (with everything they offer for it) is in the 350 calorie range. I consider it a perfect size and a perfect calorie count. That's my 'go to' whenever we eat at Wendy's. :smile:
  • Chunkabutt83
    Chunkabutt83 Posts: 461
    i wouldnt trust myself at wendys lol, im doing subway for the first time for dinner tonight and already had that planned out this morning so i knew i would b good
  • runningathena
    runningathena Posts: 218 Member
    Fast food salads are usually LOADED with fat and calories... I think Wendy's Chicken BLT salad has 40+ grams of fat, if I remember correctly? :noway:
  • EyeAye
    EyeAye Posts: 8
    I did the same thing the other day at work. We have a cefeteria and I forgot my lunch. I chose a potato dish that I thought would be filling and give me some variety without being "too bad" as it was a small portion. It ended up being 750 calories. Not worth it at all. It wasn't even good!
  • babylemonade
    babylemonade Posts: 250 Member
    I hate getting those mystery salads at fast food places. You think you're making a better choice and it turns out you're not. I make my own salads, and I never use dressing. I always put something with protein on top and it tastes great. A good alternative to bread for your egg salad, tuna, grilled chicken strips, guacamole, etc.
  • TNAJackson
    TNAJackson Posts: 686 Member
    Darn it! Sorry, that sucks. Next time you'll know though...
  • TNAJackson
    TNAJackson Posts: 686 Member
    Fast food salads are usually LOADED with fat and calories... I think Wendy's Chicken BLT salad has 40+ grams of fat, if I remember correctly? :noway:

    I know! Where the heck do they put all those fat and calories?!?! Seriously! I wonder how something that looks exactly like what you would make at home have so much more crap in it!
  • brucedelaney
    brucedelaney Posts: 433 Member
    If you're looking for a decent Fast food fix... don't know if you have Arby's near you but the Jr. Roast Beef is only 210 Calories, I will occasionally get two and throw away one bun which is a total of 280 Calories if my memory servers me right. There is info on MFP for the Jr with the bun, with half a bun and without the bun at all.

    If you're not a big fan of roast beef sorry, Just thought I'd point out a not to unfriendly "junk food" option.

    PS - Just checked the database... 280 Cals is correct for my little sandwich combo but beware you're looking at a hefty amount of sodium like most fast food at 810mg for that combo.
  • IMYarnCraz33
    IMYarnCraz33 Posts: 1,016 Member
    That is so crazy. Eating the burger and fries feels like such an indulgence, and I need that sometimes to stay on the right track. I always seem to go over in fat when I have a small fast food meal, but I usually just focus on the calories and sugar. I really admire all of the "clean" eaters, but I need my junk sometimes!


    this sounds like me too.
  • emanismom
    emanismom Posts: 27 Member
    I found out the hard way, like you, that just because it seems like a wiser choice doesn't mean it is. Here's something I try when I want fast food...I pack my own salad greens and free salad dressing. I usually go to Carl's Jr (Hardee's) and get the Terriaki Turkey burger (470 cal) or grilled chicken sandwich (370 cals) and eat that with my salad and a crystal light water. The best of both worlds.
  • kgesq
    kgesq Posts: 65 Member
    I don't know if they've banned trans fat where you are, but here in NYC, since they've done it, NOBODY's FF's are good--not even McD's [sniff]! So...eat whatever sandwich you want (except those Angus Burgers, WTH???) and skip the fries and soda. Or if you must, get the diet soda. It's so funny, people used to joke about people ordering a Big Mac, Fries and a Diet Coke--turns out the Coke is what takes the calorie count into overdrive! The fries make it soar. The sandwich, not too bad, especially if you're eating light for the rest of the day. Is it heart healthy or loaded with nutrients? No. But, sometimes, fast food calls...
  • mandimoore617
    mandimoore617 Posts: 325 Member
    If I have to go to fast food, I always get a grilled chicken with no mayo, no cheese. Chik-Fil-A's Grilled Chicken Sandwich (not the club) is only 290 calories.

    If I really want a burger and fries, I get a kid's meal to save money and calories.
  • lockef
    lockef Posts: 466
    The salad is a lot more healthier for you than the processed meat and bread you'd get from a burger. It's wrong to justify eating the burger over a ceasar salad just because of the calories and fat from the salad. Fats are good for you and calories aren't everything!
  • saadler
    saadler Posts: 116
    This is why I always look up the calories before I order anything when I go out to eat, especially at fast food places.
  • jennyonthespot
    jennyonthespot Posts: 98 Member
    You can find good stuff to eat at almost any fast food restaurant! I always look up the nutrition facts before I go somewhere so I know exactly what I'm getting before I walk in the door. You just have to stick to your guns once you get there. I had a chicken fajita pita (330 calories) from Jack in the Box today and it was great! Whenever I go to Wendy's I try to stick to the chili or the baked potato. I still use the buttery spread and the sour cream, then add salt and pepper. The salads are crazy for calories. Not even worth it to me. Granted, fast food isn't as healthy as what you could make at home out of fresh ingredients, but sometimes thats just not an option.
  • annaasun
    annaasun Posts: 74 Member
    Caesar salad is NEVER good for you...that dressing is loaded with fatty crap.

    I bought this all Natural Ceasar salad and mixed (Half-Half) it with seasame dressing to make it have less calories. By doing this It made it very flavorful so you dont have to use a lot. 2TBSP (about 120 calories) is enought for a HUGE bowl. it taste so good i dont even put other toppings anymore like cheese and nuts and such (cause the calories really do add up). So you can have a huge bowl of sald for a lot less calories.
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    :angry: :sad: :huh: :noway: :explode:
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    We had dinner at Carl's Jr. last night because we were out running errands. My dinner only cost me 570 calories and was sooooo good and satisfying! I always get the Low Carb Six Dollar burger when we go there with a glass of water. They have fresh lemon wedges so I squeeze a few of those into my water. I love their burgers and since I do lower carb this works great for me. In all honesty I've never been a fan of burger buns and had a reputation for peeling them off long before I decided to forego them. Low carb options at restaurants thrilled me to death just because they wrap it in lettuce for me! :D
  • Penelope_373
    Penelope_373 Posts: 28 Member
    yeah, we have got to be very careful with "health selections" at the ff joints...have you ever stopped and read the nutrition facts hanging on the wall at Wendys? the salads range from around 450 to over 700 calories?!?!? I like the grilled chicken wrap, about 260 calories and the Ultimate Chicken Grill - about 360 cal. - but hold the cheese and bacon please :)
  • ncrissey460
    ncrissey460 Posts: 97 Member
    I dont know if anyone is from the Western PA area but we have SHEETZ and i was amazed at what i thought was healthy choices were the exact opposite. I went on Sheetz's website and you can punch in whatver you want and then it adds up all the nutrition facts for ya. its really handy. I always try to look up nutrition facts at FF joints now. You just never know...
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    Restaurant salads are my biggest pet peeve. Want to get really disgusted?...look up Olive Garden's nutritional info on that salad they give you for free...its outrageous! I consider it to be really sneaky when restaurants manage put that much fat and calories into something that starts with LETTUCE (seriously..its like they're trying to sneak extra fat in just to mess with people who try to ‘fill up on salad’ so they don’t overeat on pasta).
  • hamiltonba
    hamiltonba Posts: 474 Member
    Just because it has the word "salad" does not automatically mean healthy and low cal.
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