So my 90 year old YiaYia wants to take my sister and I out to lunch tomorrow and we usually go because she's old and it makes her happy, but she is INSISTING on the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Needless to say, she is one of those stubborn, passive aggressive old ladies and my sister was giving me pressure, telling me to "stop making a fuss" and whatnot. But now I don't know what to eat! I know that many of the salads probably carry upwards of 1000 calories, so I am majorly freaking out about what to get. Any help would be awesome on what I could get that wouldn't completely destroy my day calorie-wise. Thanks!
I would say the best thing would be to get a salad without anything fried on it, without cheese and without dressing. They have a "light" salad selection. I had some kind of Asian one when I was dragged there a couple of years ago.
OR if you're feeling brave, order a black coffee or an unsweetened ice tea and just tell her that you don't care for their food, but you're enjoying the opportunity to spend time with her. That would probably discourage her from insisting on going there again.
They have 4 weight management salads, all between 500 and 600 calories. A bit high for lunch but maybe workable. And if you ask for the dressing on the side and dont use much you can probably do better. You can trim even more off some of these salads by requesting that cheeses and other high calorie items be left off.
An option I like at a lot of restaurants like that is potstickers appetizer. They are scary sounding because they are pan-fried but usually the calorie count is not outrageous. CF's are listed as 377 for 4 potstickers. Plus I really like potstickers so I dont feel deprived. Just make sure they understand this is your MEAL so they dont bring it out 15 minutes early.
MTA: if you do sushi the Ahi Carpaccio is also an option.
Gosh, she's 90 years old, there may not be an "again."
Try one of their Weight Management Salads and ask for dressing on the side if that's possible. And, don't feel as though you have to eat all of it! Take some of it home with you.
Skip any breads that are brought to the table.
Get a diet drink or just plain water. No alcohol.
As for dessert, you could split a piece of cheesecake with your sister, or just skip it and have some coffee.
Plan ahead for the rest of the day as well, so that you have some calorie cushion.
Eating out happens--you just have to think ahead. Good luck!
I did some scrounging, but none of the calorie counts seem to come from the actual cheesecake factory website. I did some looking at calorie counting sites and the best options seem to be the Weight Management Spicy Chicken Salad at 490 calories, which I can probably lower by getting my dressing on the side. There is also a small chopped vegetable side salad with chicken at just under 400 cals.
Thanks for the advice! I was so freaked out I completely forgot to look for nutrition info(although to be fair last time I checked I couldn't find any on them . And I ALWAYS get an unsweetened iced tea eating out, I find it helps to reduce my appetite pretty well
I agree- eat a weight management salad- that's what I've done- I get water with a lemon and I'm good. If appetizers come I sometimes excuse myself and go to the bathroom so I won't be as tempted
Hehe, I posted pretty much the same thing as everyone else at the same time! I can't really go out and drink alcohol, at least not for another year yet . I think I will try everyone's ideas; I might go for the Spicy Chicken salad or shoot for the smaller side salad.
Considering that my great-grandmother lived to be over 100, there will probably be an again. My Yiayia will probably outlive me; crazy Greek women are like that
Last edited by girlonfire; 01-05-2010 at 04:46 PM.
Factory Create-an-Omelette with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Mushrooms
529 calories
10 g saturated fat
780 mg sodium
8 g carbohydrates
This is also from ET,NT and it's TOTALLY interesting:
The 20 Worst Restaurant Foods in America
15. Worst Club Sandwich
Cheesecake Factory Grilled Chicken and Avocado Club
1,752 calories
28 g saturated fat
2,309 mg sodium
85 g carbs
Who would have guessed that a dish with a name like this could pack more calories than 11 scoops of Breyers All Natural Mint Chocolate Chip? Skip sandwiches entirely when dining at the Factory. The "lightest" on the menu is the 1,052-calorie Grilled Cheese. Instead (and this might surprise you), you'd be much better off ordering a burger. The Factory Burger is one of the best burgers offered at any sit-down restaurant in America, and so long as you swap out the fries for something healthier, it's also one of the safest entrees you'll find on Cheesecake Factory's misguided menu.
The Factory Burger
737 calories
15 g saturated fat
1,018 mg sodium
=================================================
Whoops. Too late. I hope you have a nice time! And remember, their cheesecake LOOKS and SOUNDS better than it is. I've never been impressed with it. Just impressed by the names and how they look in the glass! NOT WORTH IT!
Last edited by Metal Chick; 01-05-2010 at 04:56 PM.
Who would have guessed that a dish with a name like this could pack more calories than 11 scoops of Breyers All Natural Mint Chocolate Chip? Skip sandwiches entirely when dining at the Factory. The "lightest" on the menu is the 1,052-calorie Grilled Cheese.
yikes! Just another reminder that I NEED to cook at home for most of the week.
Whenever I go to a restaurant and I don't think their choices are ok, I just ask for exactly what I want, even if it's not on the menu. For instance, I would ask for a small salad with just veggies and even throw in some steamed broccoli (make sure it has no butter) and ask them to grill some chicken or salmon for you and put it on top. No dressing. If you really want, there's nothing wrong with getting your own dressing in a package and using that. Either way, it sounds like you found something you can work with. Have a great time!
cheesecake factory?
Any help would be awesome on what I could get that wouldn't completely destroy my day calorie-wise. Thanks!
. And I ALWAYS get an unsweetened iced tea eating out, I find it helps to reduce my appetite pretty well 
