Chain Restaurant Shockers (and Better-for-You Swaps)!

Hungry-Girl

If you like to dine at chain restaurants, arm yourself with info! Most chains post nutritional information online, so there's no reason for you NOT to take a look and see what's in your meal. Here are some things to avoid and other stuff to seek out...


RED LOBSTER

Don't Get... the Admiral's Feast (4,400mg Sodium!)
PER SERVING (1 order): 1,500 calories, 87g fat, 4,400mg sodium, 110g carbs, fiber n.a., sugars n.a., protein n.a.

Apparently, the Admiral is obsessed with fried food. This combo includes fried shrimp, fried scallops, fried clams, and fried fish. Don't follow his bad example!

Try... the Steamed Maine Lobster with Fresh Asparagus and Broccoli (350mg Sodium!)
PER SERVING (1 1/4 lb. lobster with 2 sides): 150 calories, 0g fat, 350mg sodium, 0g carbs

That's right; lobster itself is WAY low in calories. Just don't go drowning it in butter -- a squeeze of lemon is a very tasty seafood embellishment. YUM! And with stats this low, order an appetizer too!




RED ROBIN

Don't Get... the Towering Onion Rings (Nearly 1,800 Calories!)
PER SERVING (1 order): 1,773 calories, 112g fat, 3,841mg sodium, 171g carbs, 9g fiber, 23g sugars, 18g protein

People, it's a TOWERING pile of onion rings. You don't need us to tell you that this isn't a smart choice; we're just laying some knowledge on you as to exactly HOW horribly fatty the things are.


Try... the Natural Burger with a Lettuce Bun (Under 350 Calories!)


PER SERVING (1 order): 335 calories, 20g fat, 521mg sodium, 8g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g sugars, 34g protein

You can have your traditional all-beef patty... but by nixing the bun it comes on, you trim down the calorie count BIGTIME. Score!



PANERA BREAD

Don't Get... the Signature Macaroni & Cheese! (More than 60g Fat!)
PER SERVING (1 large order): 980 calories, 61g fat, 2,030mg sodium, 75g carbs, 3g fiber, 14g sugars, 33g protein

WHOA. This is some scary stuff. Once again, no one's going to assume cheesy noodles are light... But who's gonna guess that one dish has 61 fat grams? Not cool.


Try... the Strawberry Poppyseed & Chicken Salad (Only 8g Fat!)


PER SERVING (1 salad): 280 calories, 8g fat, 510mg sodium, 29g carbs, 5g fiber, 17g sugars, 27g protein

This salad is loaded with many fruits (not just strawberries) and topped with lean chicken and pecans. THIS is effective use of calories. We're actually kinda craving this salad now. Really.



APPLEBEE'S

Don't Get... the Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl! (More than 2,000 Calories!)
PER SERVING (1 order): 2,030 calories, 80g fat, 4,480mg sodium, 264g carbs, 15g fiber, 84g protein

ACK! Would you expect this from a chicken dish with fruit? Neither would we! This bowl is SCARY -- rice, crispy noodles, almonds, breaded fried chicken, and that sugary glaze make for a big fat NO!


Try... the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad! (Under 400 Calories!)


PER SERVING (1 full-sized salad without dressing): 370 calories, ~8.5g fat, 900mg sodium, 21g carbs, 5g fiber, 52g protein

Don't drown delicious chicken in creamy, fatty stuff. Get the dressing on the side and use it sparingly. NICE!




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