Calorie Counters - Help! Cheesecake Factory!

So Im meeting a friend for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory tomorrow night. It's someone I havent seen in years so she hasnt seen how much weight Ive gained back (ugh, but a story for another time)

My issue is that EVERYTHING on their menu is AWFUL. But Im going to be so tempted to order something!

http://calorielab.com/news/2007/07/28/calorie-pusher-comes-to-town-the-cheesecake-factory-hits-rochester/

I know I could go with one of the weight management options, but any other ideas? Im thinking the Mahi Mahi with a side of rice and veggies? That way I feel like Im eating something more satisfying than the weight management salad.

p.s. the nutrional info for their items will make you cringe (no surprise there though) the real shocker is that most of the items arent even factoring in the sides (fries/potatoes/veggies, etc)

Oh man... I know what you mean!

The grilled Mahi doesn't seem too bad calorie-wise as long as you avoid buttered vegetables/fries/potatoes and the like. Even some of their lunch salads add up to just as much as the Mahi says it is (if not more).

I say what you're planning on sounds good. And for goodness' sake stay away from the actual cheesecake if you aren't planning on having any! :fr:

LOL I know, isnt it awful?! I wish we were going for lunch, because the numbers are somewhat better for those options! Of course, Im not going to lick my plate clean, so I'll save some calories not finishing the whole portion!

I've never been but I think I understand! Lol, persnaps eat a light EXTREMELY healthy snack before? May save yu a few extra calories. I did that once, my mom was wanting to go out to eat and whining because I don't allow sweets or cokes in the house anymore. So, I ate about 1hr before we went and had some broccoli and cauliflower and 2 slices of a tomato. I didn't eat nearly as much and even felt good about being so safe!!

You have a plan already though, and that is the best thing we can do in that type of sitation. Good for you!

Thanks girl! Yeah, im going to keep my calories low and healthy for the day and def eat something before I go. And whatever I order, I make sure I dont finish the whole thing. Either way, Im going to plan for an 800 calorie meal.

I totally get you about the mom thing, my family/friends go out to eat SO much.

I would like to give a big thanks to The Cheesecake Factory for contributing to my weight gain months ago. LOL Everything is so tasty! I'm not sure if you're a big fan of Salmon, but that's a good way to go as well. You can pretty much make your meal how you want. I use to swear by the Miso Salmon until I read the nutritional info a few months ago O__O... BUT

the grilled salmon is great, and you have the option to switch to brown rice. I ALWAYS cut my meals in half as soon as it gets to my table. Honestly, it works! I find that the portions at CF are pretty large, specifically during dinner.

I love that weight management salad with the spice and rice and beans, but all of the weight management salads are good - I eat half for about 250 calories. They're HUGE!

I once got the ahi tartare with avocado (small plate on the bar menu) and it was very good, and couldn't have been more than 250 calories.

There is a weight management grilled chicken that my mom always gets (and eats half of as well) and all of the grilled fish options look to be moderately healthy.

UGH why do they have to call the only somewhat healthy options "weight management'?! Like i really want to sit there at over 100lbs overweight and tell the waiter I'd like the 'weight management' salad.

Get the seared tuna tataki salad. (I don't think I saw it on the link you provided.) I had it the last time I went and if i recall correctly, I googled it and found it to be very reasonable - perhaps 400 calories.

Hey fatburner--yes, I had that on my short list of options too (I even googled pictures of it loll) was it good?

UGH why do they have to call the only somewhat healthy options "weight management'?! Like i really want to sit there at over 100lbs overweight and tell the waiter I'd like the 'weight management' salad.

I'm sorry but that just made me spit out my water haha! If you have the guts, you should totally over dramatize that. Yes, waiter I would really love the WEIGHT management salad. Now does that come with the 0 calorie water? And what exactly is the number of pounds this weight management salad manages? I mean, I've lost some weight and I am looking to lose more. Waiter, do you have a uhm hmm a weight LOSS salad by any chance? And what's water with the least amount of calories here? Hm? Haha omg I'm a nerd lol.

Editing because I just re-read that and realized you may had taken it the wrong way- or anyone could. It just sort of played out in my head after thinking of me asking for a weight management salad. I have a weird sense of humor and I was not being mean, and I'd hate asking for that salad too. Which is why I'd HAVE to joke about it.

I'm sorry but that just made me spit out my water haha! If you have the guts, you should totally over dramatize that. Yes, waiter I would really love the WEIGHT management salad. Now does that come with the 0 calorie water? And what exactly is the number of pounds this weight management salad manages? I mean, I've lost some weight and I am looking to lose more. Waiter, do you have a uhm hmm a weight LOSS salad by any chance? And what's water with the least amount of calories here? Hm? Haha omg I'm a nerd lol.

Editing because I just re-read that and realized you may had taken it the wrong way- or anyone could. It just sort of played out in my head after thinking of me asking for a weight management salad. I have a weird sense of humor and I was not being mean, and I'd hate asking for that salad too. Which is why I'd HAVE to joke about it.

HAHA no i think you and i have the same sense of humor! How lame, seriously. dude, just have a couple healthy items on there called like 'lemon grilled chicken & veggies' waiter, since we've now gone over my weight management salad, lets dicuss the weight management cheesecakes..ive noticed there werent any...

Hahahaha. That's hilarious oh my day has just gotten so much better lol.

The nice thing about Cheesecake factory is that there is SO MUCH food on the plate I know I will never eat the whole thing. I usually can barely eat 1/4 of what's on the plate (I'm not really into appetizers). It sounds like you've picked a really good option! I don't know if I could go and stay away from the cheesecake...the key lime is sooo good.

If it were me, I'd probably save 75% of my cals for some indulgence! Good luck! My mouth is watering now, haha!

Rofl Butter!! That's awesome, I might try that if I go soon, it's too funny to resist!

For dessert, you could order an order of strawberries and sprinkle some splenda over them. Or order whipped cream on the side, just be careful with that as they get carried away.

thanks everyone for your suggestions!

I've never been but I think I understand! Lol, persnaps eat a light EXTREMELY healthy snack before?

I have eaten two squares of dark chocolate before going to a restaurant where I knew it would be hard to resist temptation. That way I have a 100 calorie indulgence and am not feeling deprived going in.

Do they really call their light menu options "Weight Management ______"? That is extremely bad marketing. A lot of people feel embarrassed to order off the health menu or to make special requests, but to actually say "I'd like the Weight Management Chicken" would be mortifying to me. If you just had to say the "Tropical Sunrise Chicken" no attention would be drawn to your order, but throw in the "Weight Management Salad" and you open yourself for questioning of your order from dining mates, and what if you were going on a new date? Really, really bad marketing.

Do they really call their light menu options "Weight Management ______"? That is extremely bad marketing. A lot of people feel embarrassed to order off the health menu or to make special requests, but to actually say "I'd like the Weight Management Chicken" would be mortifying to me. If you just had to say the "Tropical Sunrise Chicken" no attention would be drawn to your order, but throw in the "Weight Management Salad" and you open yourself for questioning of your order from dining mates, and what if you were going on a new date? Really, really bad marketing.

LOL yes!! It's awful! Im sure whichever marketing genius over at Cheesecake Factory who came up with this has never had even consider ordering something that had the words 'weight management' in it.

The Cheesecake Factory is evil! They create entrees that have a weeks worth of fat and multiple days worth of calories and then have the audacity to call the only things even close to healthy on their menu "weight management" options?

Is it any wonder that obesity is practically an epidemic in this country?

Update: I went to Cheesecake Factory last night and got out with only ordering 570calories for an entree (and I DIDNT ordering anything with 'weight managment in the title' lol) I got the tuna carpaccio appetizer with a side of white rice. It was shockingly good and super filling (and I dont throw those words around) I actually didnt even finish the rice...i love rice but it was about 1 1/2 cups of rice and alot of tuna.

Surprisingly, not only does CF now list their calories ON their menu, they also automatically give everyone a nutritional booklet with your menu.

That's awesome DC! Glad to hear it all worked out. I'm still curious about the weight management cheesecake though... lol

yeah, thats the one they just let you take a lick of then make you run around the block

Hahaha!! Are you in any challenges?

No! is there one I can join?

I was going to say you should join mine. It's in the 20 somethings the goal is to be sexy this Halloween which is like 18 weeks! My goal is to lose 30 pounds lol. But, even gettin close. It's a good motivation for me. But, there is tons in the Chicks up for a challenge forum. I find challenges help me A LOT.

awesome!! I'll def join! I'll post in there when i get to work!

Okay awesome! Have a great day!

Salmon!

whatever you eat, dont eat it all, half it! :)

Oh my Lord, the cheesecake factory is my downfall. I LOVE THAT PLACE. I usually get the weight management option, but your mahi mahi sounds like a great alternative! I wish I liked fish more, I would try it out with you! Good luck.