2. Starter – Instead of Chili’s Awesome Blossom try their Lettuce Wraps (580 calories, 35 grams fat & 8 grams of fiber). Order as a meal or as an appetizer to share with friends!
3. Nachos – Truth be told, nachos are NOT a healthy choice in general. Instead of the Stacked Border Nachos from On the Border try their Grilled Fajita Chicken Tacos (477 calories, 11 grams of fat & 18 grams of fiber) which are served with black beans and grilled veggies. Or you can order the Chicken Salsa Fresca (510 calories, 11 grams of fat & 6 grams of fiber).
4. Pasta – Instead of Macaroni Grill’s Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce try a small order of Fazoli’s Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (500 calories, 7 grams of fat & 7 grams of fiber).
5. Pizza – Instead of the Classic Deep Dish Pizza at Uno Chicago Grill try Pizza Hut’s Fit n’ Delicious Pizza. Only (170 calories, 4.5 gram of fat & 1 gram of fiber) for 1 slice of the 12” Diced Chicken, Red Onion & Green Pepper.
6. Fish Entrée – Instead of the Dos XX Fish Tacos with Rice and Beans from On the Border try the Guiltless Salmon from Chili’s (480 calories, 14 grams of fat & 10 grams of fiber) which includes sides of steamed veggies and black beans.
7. Chicken Entrée – Instead of Chili’s Honey Chipotle Crispers with Chipotle Sauce go for their Guiltless Chicken Platter (580 calories, 9 grams of fat & 5 grams of fiber) which includes grilled chicken, steamed veggies and corn on the cob.
8. Chinese Entrée – Skip P.F. Chang’s Pork Lo Mein and order the Cantonese Scallops (400 calories, 16 grams of fat & 4 grams of fiber) or the Cantonese Shrimp (330 calories, 12 grams of fat & 4 grams of fiber).
9. Dessert – Since desert and healthy don’t really go well in the same sentence, here’s my best suggestion when eating out. Ask your server for a cup of seasonal fruit or see if they have sorbet or sherbet (this will vary by restaurant). You could also try ordering a flavored coffee like French vanilla or Hazelnut to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you do decide to indulge, be sure to split with a friend or two!
10. Breakfast – Instead of Bob Evan’s Caramel Banana Pecan Cream Stacked and Stuffed Hotcakes get their Fruit and Yogurt Plate (398 calories, 2 grams of fat & 8 grams of fiber).
11. Steak – Keep away from Lonestar’s 20 oz T-bone and try Ruby Tuesday’s 7 oz Petite Sirloin instead (206 calories, 5 grams of fat & 0 grams of fiber). Order with the rice and steamed broccoli for an additional (324 calories, 13 grams of fat & 5 grams of fiber).
12. Burger – Avoid the Double Six Dollar Burger from Carl’s Jr. and order the Kid’s Burger instead (460 calories, 17 grams of fat & 2 grams of fiber).
13. Salad – Pass on the Grande Taco Salad with Taco Beef from On the Border and try one of the following salads instead: Wendy’s Southwest Taco Salad minus the salad dressing & tortilla strips (470 calories, 25 grams of fat & 8 grams of fiber) or McDonald’s Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken and Newman’s Own Creamy Southwest Dressing (420 calories, 15 grams of fat & 7 grams of fiber).
14. Sandwich – Instead of the Classic Italian (large) at Quizno’s order the Tuscan Turkey (small and without cheese) for 400 calories of the Honey Bourbon Chicken (small) for only 320 calories.
15. Kids’meal – Skip the Double Macaroni ‘n’ Cheese from Macaroni Grill and order the Grilled Chicken & Broccoli instead (390 calories, 5 grams of fat & 6 grams of fiber). Your kids will thank you later!
16. Mexican Entrée – Avoid Chipotle’s Mexican Grill Chicken Burrito and order a Burrito Bowl (a burrito minus the flour tortilla) instead to save (290 calories & 9 grams of fat). Skip the rice and sour cream to save another (280 calories & 14 grams of fat).
17. “Healthy” burger – Instead of Ruby Tuesday’s Bella Turkey Burger try Chili’s Guiltless Black Bean burger (650 calories, 12 grams of fat & 26 grams of fiber). Whoa, that’s a lot of fiber!
18. Supermarket Meal – Skip the Roasted Chicken Pot Pie from Pepperidge Farm and buy the Sweet & Sour Chicken Entrée from Kashi instead (320 calories, 3.5 grams of fat & 6 grams of fiber).
19. Drink – Instead of the Jamaba Juice Chocolate Moo’d Power Smoothie try the 16 oz Berry Fulfilling Smoothie (150 calories, 0.5 grams of fat & 6 grams of fiber). You’ll be getting all the antioxidant power of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries too!
20. Fast Food Chicken Meal – Pass on McDonald’s Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips with creamy ranch sauce and order the 6 piece Chicken Nuggets with BBQ Sauce instead (300 calories, 15 grams of fat & 0 grams of fiber). You can also try Burger King’s 5 Piece Chicken Tenders with BBQ Dipping sauce (270 calories, 14 grams of fat & 1 gram of fiber).
- Lauren
