why is it you can go to almost any fast food place and get the nutritional information for the food you are eating but it is next to impossible to go to a decent restuarant with this same advantage.  Of all of the places I thought applebees would have nutritional information for their customers after all they do have the weight watchers menu, but if you want anything other than that your guess is as good as mine as to how many calories and fat are contained in it.  I used to think that it was pretty safe to go with salads, but word or warning to those who think the same, some salads have more fat and calories than a regular meal.  Is anyone else frustrated with the lack of information or the difficulty in trying to get a hold of the information that is available.  I have found that with the fast food places that have this information I have done very well with eating good and sticking to my plan.  I wish continued success to all

Nikki

Hi Nikki,

Hey, a good tool to look up Calorie/Fat numbers is from the book "The Alli Diet Plan".  I purchased it at Walmart for $13.87.  It has been very informative! Also it lists many restaurants with their nutrition guide.  Applebees is also in there.

Also another good online tool is www.CalorieKing.com.  You can search the restaurant or any kind of food for its calories and fat.

Good Luck

Wannabefit :)

thanks a lot I will try that out.  been looking for something more informative

I'm just as frustrated as you are.  My husband and I like to go about once a week (sometimes twice) to a nice resturant.  It is so discouraging when you look at the menu and can't decide what to order because you don't know the fat and calorie content.  We hardley ever go out anymore just for that reason alone.  I guess in the long run we are saving money by not going out.  One thing I have done on occasion - I'll surf the web for resturants who offer online nutritional information.  Not many offer it, but it does help me stay on track.

Good luck to you!

hey Nikki,

I've only asked at two places, Olive Garden and Red Lobster and they were so helpful, If all else fails pick fish or chicken with lemon sauce or a fat free dressing. Good luck!

stefanie

I always 'special order' things, like I will ask the waiter if the chef can make me steamed vegetables, baked potato and chicken breast with no butter and I usually ask for the butter on the side and a side of salsa. I have done that number of times and I havent had a problem. Chicken breast is the only meat I really eat, but I am sure you can get fish as well.

HTH

Even if you don't see a salad the way you want it on the menu, you can ask for what you want. We went to Carrabbas the other night and I asked for a salad with: lettuce, tomato, carrots, celery, onion, and grilled chicken. I brought in my own light lowfat salad dressing. It was a huge delicious salad and the price was great.

 I imagine you can do this at just about any nice restaurant.

Good luck.

~Patti

anubis8733:

why is it you can go to almost any fast food place and get the nutritional information for the food you are eating but it is next to impossible to go to a decent restuarant with this same advantage.  Of all of the places I thought applebees would have nutritional information for their customers after all they do have the weight watchers menu, but if you want anything other than that your guess is as good as mine as to how many calories and fat are contained in it.  I used to think that it was pretty safe to go with salads, but word or warning to those who think the same, some salads have more fat and calories than a regular meal.  Is anyone else frustrated with the lack of information or the difficulty in trying to get a hold of the information that is available.  I have found that with the fast food places that have this information I have done very well with eating good and sticking to my plan.  I wish continued success to all

Nikki

Some if not most of the chain casual dining restuarants have their whole menu on their websites along with calorie counts for most of the items. Some have more info than others. TGIF and Applebees don't have much. Chili's has calorie counts for the whole menu. I try and get as much info as I can before I had to the restuarant so I know what I'm going to order ahead of time.

 Hope this helps.

Errol

I went to tgi fridays and they said they dont have it available because" they dont always have the same suppliers for things and it can be different each company" i think they dont want people to know how bad it is haha but they should keep things kinda the same...

 Like Errol said above, check out the restaurant's website most places now post their menus.  However sometimes I think there is more calories or fat then they actually list or maybe the cook or waitress are just being generous with the proportion sizes...  Hope that helps!  Good luck!

Nat 

 I've found several chain restaurants which supply the info we need.  My fear, however, is if the cook in the kitchen actually takes the time to follow the recipe.  I have followed my meal plan to a T and not done anything which should have resulted in TEs.  On Friday night, my family went to the Silver Diner restaurant which offers several great heart healthy, diet options.

I ordered the vegetarian omelet, which was supposed to be Egg Beaters, Lo-fat cheese, veggies, etc.  It was very good.  48 hours later I experienced horrific TE.  I reviewed my online journal and truly believe this TE was out of my hands.  I wonder now if my omelet tasted great because the "chef" at the diner just made me a regular omelet.  And I'll never know. 

When you go out to a regular sit-down restaurant, try to look up their information online first.  And if the nutritional values aren't present, at least decide on what you're going to eat so that you can write it down & not even be tempted by looking at the menu when you get there. 

 As long as you walk in, knowing what you can & cannot eat then you will be OK.  Fried Chicken Salads are the WORST, you might as well eat a double cheeseburger.  Instead you could order the salad, but ask if they'll grill the chicken instead of fry it, or ask to leave off the cheese & croutons.  Have fat free salad dressing, or oil/flavored vinegar instead. 

Order any grilled chicken sandwich without cheese & bread, have a side with a baked potato instead of fries.  As long as you know what foods you can have ANYWHERE, then you're prepared to eat out at restaurants that don't provide you the nutritional information.

I have looked up several restuarants on the web which adds to more of my frustration, many of my favorites like applebees, fridays, and outback dont really have the information that I am looking for.  I dont go to chilis often, but will check out their menu and may go more often.  I never thought about special odering, good idea!!!  I have found with the fast food nutritional information, I tend to use those to make very smart choices in eating.  It would just be nice if more restuarants could follow their lead.

Thanks everyone and good luck

Nikki

anubis8733:

I have looked up several restuarants on the web which adds to more of my frustration, many of my favorites like applebees, fridays, and outback dont really have the information that I am looking for.  I dont go to chilis often, but will check out their menu and may go more often.  I never thought about special odering, good idea!!!  I have found with the fast food nutritional information, I tend to use those to make very smart choices in eating.  It would just be nice if more restuarants could follow their lead.

Thanks everyone and good luck

Nikki

I also find it strange that "fast food" places have far more nutritional information than other casual restuarants.