Kira-OH MY GOD THE BLOOMING ONION!!
Over 3000 calories????
I'm feeling faint...
This thread has turned me OFF eating out. You just can't trust any of them, the sneaky b...well, you know. And it's soo hard for me to drive on by. what is it about comfort food, served piping hot in 3 minutes straight into your mouth that is nearly irresistable???
It's a combination of our fatty culture and the dangerous (deadly) tendency to serve one person a meal that would easily feed three. it's like there's some vast conspiracy out there trying to make us fat.
Chipotle is one of my favorite places to eat. I've never been a huge fan of tortillas, it's always the stuff inside that I'm going for so I always get the Burrito Bol but if you get a regular burrito there with the tortilla wrap and all the fixings it comes to around 1200 calories. I've whittled my perfect burrito bol down to about 600 calories, certainly still a lot of cals but I can fit it into my day when I really want one! (I try not to think of all the sodium though, the previously mentioned 1200 calorie burrito would also run you 111% of your DRV of sodium!)
Munchievictim that is exactly what I think, that "they" are sneaking calories and fat into food. That's what I try to remember when I'm going out to eat -- calories and fat are being invisibly snuck into my food. I used to smoke and I felt the same way, that I was being manipulated by Phillip Morris (now known as Altria). Grrrr... I'll show you, I'm just not gonna go out to eat and I'm gonna take control over my own food!!!
Yikes! Since I started watching calories, I have not gone out. But the other day my mom took me out to dinner for my birthday. I really would rather have stayed home to eat something healthy, but it was more of a social, traditional thing I guess; it wasn't about the food.
Anyway, we went to O'Charley's but before we left I checked the internet for nutritional information, thinking I would find a salad that was fairly healthy. Nope. Most were over 1000 calories! I ended up with grilled shrimp, it was somewhat low in calories. Of course, desserts are friggin' ridiculous but I ended up having 3 of those donuts they serve warm in the bag. Still made my calorie range, but the donuts were completely useless.
It really has opened my eyes about eating out. My husband and I are both very overweight, and we used to eat out several times a week. No wonder! And not only are we getting healthier now, we are saving lots of money.
Places like Baja Fresh used to scare me, but I don't eat there anymore. You think it isn't like Mc Donalds because of the "fresh" and you also have this idea that there is some sort of health there, but in reality that is not the case. Most of the food is high in calories, fat, and carbs.
I remember a video on Youtube posted by a woman who was on her weight loss journey and she was commenting on her previous eating habits. One of her comments was about Baja Fresh and how she used to get the seafood entrees thinking that it wasn't so bad because it is "fresh" and "healthier" than the other options. The reality is Baja Fresh is a fast food joint with high fat, high calorie food. Of course you CAN, according to the website, make healthier choices, but the reality is the food isn't good for ya. It's a splurge place...you know when you need comfort food you rush out to get something like tacos! lol
I think what also scares me are "salads" that places like Chilis and Applebees offer. I mean you think "Ohh I'm having a salad so that is healthy," when in reality it is probably one of the more unhealthier choices. I believe some chain out there actually has a salad that ranked as one of the worst foods for either 2008 or 2009. I can't remember the details though.
I mean sure one can make healthier choices at any place, but you know at least when you walk into a place like the Cheesecake Factory, well you pretty much know what you're getting into. I think places like the Olive Garden or Baja Fresh almost trick you into thinking it isn't as bad as other places.
It's horrible!! it's like there saying we understand your on a diet, we'll be your friend and make you this lovely healthy salad *wink wink* just so they can have your business. It is betrayal, I feel betrayed that I've been hoodwinked, and fell into there web of deception.
Ahhhh I found it, from second annual "Eat This, Not That" 2009:
15. Worst Salad of 2009
T.G.I. Fridays Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad 1,360 calories
Fat: unknown (The company refuses to disclose the nutritional content of the food they're serving you.)
Sodium: unknown
The worst "healthy" sandwich was the Blimpie Veggie Supreme sandwich. Apparently loads of cheese and oil.
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Haha good thing I don't eat meat or cheese. Most of the "salads" out there in restaurant land I wouldn't eat anyhow, but still it is a bit of trickery these places do to get your business.
Last edited by Jacquie668; 06-26-2009 at 03:56 PM.
Fox - I'm a fan of chipotle, too. Wow - a burrito can have 1200 calories? I don't get cream or cheese or anything, and usually feel like I'm doing okay, but wow. I mean, I know they're big, but still. Usually my bf and I split one when we go, which isn't too often, thankfully.
You all have mentioned Panera sandwiches, but I go there to meet a friend regularly and checked out their coffee drinks and pastries and holy cow! I can't remember any numbers of the top of my head, but I know some of the coffee drinks and smoothies were way high. I'd been getting a scone (b/c I figured, hey, at leats it's less sugar than the really sweet pastries) but fat, calories, and carbs were through the roof. Turns out a croissant is the best choice - not that it's GOOD for you, but if I'm going to get something, it's the least bad thing I can get.
Whats sad is that some fast food places there's less calories in a regular burger over a "healthy" GRILLED chicken sandwich. You really have to pre plan what your going to eat. Its very sneaky.
Take for example McDonalds....
Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich: 420 Calories
Premium Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich: 530 Calories
Quarter pounder: 410 calories
A lot of it is shocking, but at most "chain restaurants" they smother your meat (Steak especially) in butter or other oils. I remember when I started at Chili's, one of my test questions was "What makes a Classic Sirloin irresistible?" and the answer is Garlic Butter. It's the same with sides, whenever some orders vegetables, unless they specify otherwise, we drench them in garlic butter, Parmesan, and seasoning salt. It makes harmless veggies into a caloric mess.
But yeah, it does suck that there are rarely any healthy choices at most restaurants.
