[zoesmom]

Just about any place can be healthy, if you research it first. HEck, I can go to Sonny's BBQ, Outback, McDonald's, Chinese, Mexican, you name it, and still eat healthy and under my calories/fat/proteins/carbs. My sodium might be a wee bit higher than normal, but one day of a slightly higher sodium content won't be the death of me. Of course, I spend a good hour a day looking over my calories and deciding if and when I can eat out...and where. Not a lot of people are willing to do that.

Word of advise though...sometimes, the salads are not the healthiest choice Oh...and most restaurants offer fresh steamed veggies (except fast food joints) even if they don't advertise as such.

[Munchy]

Originally Posted by zoesmom

Just about any place can be healthy, if you research it first. HEck, I can go to Sonny's BBQ, Outback, McDonald's, Chinese, Mexican, you name it, and still eat healthy and under my calories/fat/proteins/carbs. My sodium might be a wee bit higher than normal, but one day of a slightly higher sodium content won't be the death of me. Of course, I spend a good hour a day looking over my calories and deciding if and when I can eat out...and where. Not a lot of people are willing to do that.

Word of advise though...sometimes, the salads are not the healthiest choice Oh...and most restaurants offer fresh steamed veggies (except fast food joints) even if they don't advertise as such.

Agreed! You can really find a healthy item on any menu if you know what to look for. Go with grilled or broiled proteins, shy away from creamy, oily, buttery or cheesy sauce/dressing. When in doubt, ask for the sauces or high fat components of a meal to be served on the side so that you can control the amount that goes into your meal (I do this with nuts, cheese, or dressing for salads).

I always ask for my carb (potato/fries/rice/pasta) to be swapped for double vegetables.

[Munchy]

Originally Posted by Koshka

Wow. On their web page they show a bakery end which has pastries. I do occasionally buy a cinnamon crunch bagel, but otherwise stay away from it.

Some of the things I really like there (I usually do a Pick 2 when I can):

Turkey Chili
Chicken noodle soup
Black bean soup
Lemon Orzo soup (this seems to come and go)

Chicken BBQ salad
Chicken Thai Salad
Asian Chicken Salad
Shrimp and Soba Noodle Salad

Chicken Power Hummus Bowl

I occasionally get a sandwich - one of the turkey sandwiches that is lower cal or the napa chicken salad sandwich (I usually just eat the chicken salad without the bread). But the bread adds so many calories I usually don't get a sandwich.

FYI, Panera has a secret menu full of healthy dishes.
LINK