eating out at chili's

I haven't tried any of the "healthy" options at Chili's, but have eaten Weight Watcher's options at Appleby's. I cook better at home and won't be wasting my money on bland, so-called grilled shrimp and steamed veggies again. The steamed veggies consisted of mostly broccoli, which musta been just passed over the steam cloud, because they were all but raw. Broccoli isn't a veggie I would eat raw cuz of the little buds. Fortunately, I can adapt *almost* any recipe to be very healthy (due to attending a Weight Watcher's seminar years ago), and make it very tasty as well. Makes it tough when social obligations require you to order at a restaurant.

Check out the Margerita Grilled Chicken, I actually have eaten that thing a few times and I was very pleased. It's like 550 calories and actually tastes damn good.

Steak and double veggies. With a water. You can come out sub 1000 depending on the size and cut of steak. Sirloin is always going to be the best value for price and leanness in most restaurants. The next best would be a Strip steak of some sort. KC or NY are what you'll find usually. Trim the fat off to save a few cals, or eat it, if you need fat in your diet.

The issue is here, is two fold. 1 it's a restaurant and it's primary goal is to make something taste good to keep you coming back. What better way to make something taste better than to load it up with a fat or some sugar / salt. Tasting good to you, and tasting good to their market share are two completely different things.

2. You made the choice. You knew what you were getting into before you ordered it.

Plan ahead, research, bring MFP with you if you have a smart phone and simply make better choices.

I have had the under 550 items at Applebee's several times. And yes, I rather loved it. Knowing I can have steak (and knowing it will taste GOOD) for under 500 calories really makes me happy.

if you eat at Chili's with your family, you are only setting your kids up to eat poorly. It is ironic to me they run a banner ad ont is site. It is kind of like the devil speaking from your shoulder. Has any one had anything low calorie at Chili's that they really liked?

You could see it that way... or... you could see it as a chance to show them a lesson in portion intake? Eating out and enjoying a hamburger once and a while is not the devil. Our bodies crave it, may as well do it from time to time. (Mmmmm hot wings). BUT... you can cut the sandwich in half. Eat half at dinner, then the other half for lunch the next day. Show your kids they do, indeed, not have to "clean their plate" if they are full.

I went out to eat last night at Chili's. Now, I know they have healthier options, but really does a hamburger have to set you back 1200 calories? I don't really find their healthier options very appetizing. Their steamed vegetables are uninspiring at best. On top of that if you eat at Chili's with your family, you are only setting your kids up to eat poorly. It is ironic to me they run a banner ad ont is site. It is kind of like the devil speaking from your shoulder. Has any one had anything low calorie at Chili's that they really liked?

If I am going out Chili's "low calorie" is not even on my mind. They have options you just didn't find them appetizing. You said so yourself. So, I don't understand the complaint.

Same. We went last week. Split an appetizer of Southwest Eggrolls and got a Smokehouse Bacon Big Mouth Burger. Didn't care one bit about the calories, because I don't care on weekends.

Eh. When I'm eating out I usually don't care about healthy options. I don't eat out all the time so it's going to be good if I do it.

If you hate it so much why did you go there?

Or just don't eat at chilis? Their food is poison for your body.

I've never been to Chili's (I've never even SEEN a Chili's), but when I go out it's a rare occasion and I don't look at the calories. I eat what I want, eat it slow, and stop when I'm full. I don't take the leftovers home, either, because the next day I want to get back on track.

If you want to eat a high calorie meal like a burger (which are pretty good!) you can just eat only half and eat the rest the next day or give it away! This is what I do at any restaurant. Otherwise I'd skip the sugary drinks and get plain iced tea or water with lemons, no appetizers and look for something on their website that meets your needs. :flowerforyou: Have fun!

Like others have said, the Margarita Chicken! It is delish. I would eat it even if I wasn't counting calories.

Check out the Margerita Grilled Chicken, I actually have eaten that thing a few times and I was very pleased. It's like 550 calories and actually tastes damn good.

I agree!

When they had the Sweet corn soup I LOVED to get that and a side salad for dinner.
Now if you get mashed potatoes with nothing on them (No gravy or bacon or anything) and only eat half that portion it's not that bad. I like to get the garlic lime shrimp with naked mashed potatoes and broccoli. it's about 500 calories for that meal if you only eat half the mashed tatoes... if you eat all of them it's more like 700...

Like others have said, the Margarita Chicken! It is delish. I would eat it even if I wasn't counting calories.

This is what I get. It is so good.
I blow my calories on drinks though

I think Ruby Tuesday's has better low-cal options. I was disappointed with the Chili's menu when I went there recently. I hadn't been in a long time and there seemed to be a lot of changes. Plus you can sign up on Ruby Tuesday's website for coupons and sometimes get buy one get one free entree coupons.

I guess it's not just the calories, but also the sodium that we should watch out for when eating at restaurants.

Margarita grilled chicken from Chili's has 550 calories, 4g sat fat, 1870 mg sodium, 62 g carbs and 46 g protein.

We should only have a maximum of 1800 mg sodium in a day.

Source: http://www.nutritionix.com/chilis/menu#inPage=4