(originally published 03/14/2011)
So, if you are anything like me - I love eating out - and when I say love -
I mean L-O-V-E!!
Everything about it is great. Think about it. It is fun, social, you don't have to cook your own food or clean up after yourself.
What is not to love?
Well, what not to love is the fact that you have someone else preparing your food and you really don't know how many calories you are consuming - That includes being prepared in advanced and looking up the nutrition values.
I hate to do it, but I have to burst your bubble. I am sorry in advance.
I worked in restaurants for years. I was a server during college and then a manager. Here is some behind the scenes you non-restaurant workers might not think of. You attempt to do the right thing, pick out your food in advance and you are all set, correct? Well, you have human error, people that don't think the same as you, and just some of the following:
1. The noodles that you ordered - sauce on the side- in order to control the calories - these noodles have already been tosses in Olive Oil in order to avoid sticking together while waiting for orders. It is was all prepared in the AM. (sorry)
2. The dressing calorie count that you have accounted for is probably listed as a 1.5 or 3 oz serving. Well, that server didn't feel like walking in the back to get more ramikens and you are eating dressing that is being served in a 2oz or 4oz ramiken - or worse yet - a 5oz soup cup. Even if it is a the 2oz serving (1/2 oz over) - at 190 calories per ounce - you are already 95 cals over on accident. You know what you can eat for 95 calories? Quite a few things if you plan properly. I just ate 3 oz of chicken, 1/2 cup rice, and roasted red peppers for lunch and it was only 200 calories. Much more filling then one oz of caesar dressing.
3. 95% of your homemade soups have chicken or beef stock in them. This means vegetarians cannot eat them. Also, you are increasing your sodium intake which leads to water retention and they probably will tell you it is vegetarian because they don't consider stock as 'meat'.
4. Fry Oil: All of the oils are used over and over with all foods. There is no separation of meat/non meat items. Also, the older the grease, the more calories on your food as it is not cooking clean and crisp. It is soaking in more and has to work harder. So, that fried food that was already bad (and I know delicious) is worse as it has more grease on it and other food's particles.
5. Vegetables: So you are trying to be good and getting veggies instead of some other side item. It is a good start! BUT! you must be diligent! Ask for them DRY. Otherwise they are cooked in a bunch of Phase. Do you know what Phase is? It fake butter. If you want the butter flavor - you are better off getting one pat of butter and doing yourself.
6. When you think you are being good - You Aren't: Here is the mind tricks restaurants play with you and you want to believe, but you should not. They name it something healthy, throw some veggies on it and then BAM! You are consuming 1500 calories (without a side) without even realizing it. Trust me - I fall victim as well.
Here are a few examples of something I would order in the past, thinking I was making a good choice:
A. Champps Americana:
Sliced turkey breast with avocado, applewood-smoked bacon, mixed field greens, tomatoes and provolone cheese. Wrapped in a tomato tortilla with tomato vinaigrette and served with a side of pasta salad.
Does not sound too bad, right? WRONG. This has 1475 calories and 96 grams of fat. 96 GRAMS!
B. Ruby Tuesdays:
Avocado Turkey
With fresh avocado, Swiss cheese, and applewood smoked bacon with crisp pickles and onions.
886 cals 54 grams of fat
C. Red Robin
Grilled Turkey
Seasoned turkey patty, charbroiled and layered with shredded lettuce, fresh tomatoes and zesty Chipotle mayo on our whole grain bun.
641 cals 37 fat grams 1000mg sodium
Ouch!
I know that whenever I eat out - no matter how good I am trying to be - I always consume more calories then I intended!
Pretty much everyone has nutrition online - look it up and stay informed. If they do not offer it, then I would be very concerned that it is even worse then you thought!!!
GOOD LUCK!!
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