ABCs of Dining Out

Fast Food Choices

Baskin-Robbins  |  Burger King
Carl's Junior  |  El Pollo Loco
Jack in the Box  |  Jamba Juice
McDonalds  |  Panda Express
Starbucks  |  Subway

Studies have shown that when people eat out in restaurants more than six times per week they will eat more calories, fat and sodium, than when eating meals prepared from home.

A - APPETIZERS tend to have higher calories.

B - BE AWARE of hidden calories. (E.G.: fried foods, cream sauces, cheese, sweet sauces).

C - CUT large portions in half and take the second half home for a meal the next day.

D - DECREASE the calories for your desired food choice by eliminating extra sauce, cheese and/or condiments.

E - ELIMINATE the bread served when you first sit down at the table.

F - FIND hidden calories when the menu uses words such as: “breaded,” “fried,” “sauté,” “deep fried,” “melt,” and/or “glazed.”


Healthier Fast Food Choices

If you choose to dine at a fast food restaurant, try the healthier options provided for your reference below:

McDonald's

Food Item

Calories

Fat (g)

Protein (g)

Carbohydrates (g)

Egg McMuffin

300

12

18

30

Hamburger

250

9

12

31

Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich

420

10

32

51

Ranch Snack Wrap with Grilled Chicken

270

10

18

26

Honey Mustard Snack Wrap with Grilled Chicken

260

9

18

27

Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap with Grilled Chicken

260

8

18

28

Asian Salad Grilled Chicken with Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing (1.5 oz)

390

12.5

33

38

Caesar Salad Grilled Chicken with Low Fat Dressing

270

9

30

18

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

160

2

4

31

Apple Dippers

35

0

0

8

Low Fat Caramel Dip

70

0.5

0

15

Vanilla Ice Cream Cone

150

3.5

4

24

1% Low Fat Milk Jug

100

2.5

8

12

Jack in the Box

Food Item

Calories

Fat (g)

Protein (g)

Carbohydrates (g)

Asian Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken

160

1.5

22

18

Chicken Fajita Pita (no salsa)

280

9

21

30

Applesauce

100

0

0

25

Reduced Fat Milk Chug, 2%

130

5

10

13

Burger King

Food Item

Calories

Fat (g)

Protein (g)

Carbohydrates (g)

TENDERGRILL Chicken Sandwich
(no Mayo, no Sauce)

400

7

36

Not Available 

BK VEGGIE Burger (no Cheese, no Mayo)

340

8

23

 Not Available 

Mott's Strawberry Flavored Apple Sauce

90

0

0

 Not Available 

TENDERGRILL Chicken Garden Salad

240

9

33

 Not Available 

Ken's Fat Free Ranch Dressing     (2 oz)

60

0

0

 Not Available 

Carl's Junior

Food Item

Calories

Fat (g)

Protein (g)

Carbohydrates (g)

Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich

360

4.5

34

48

Charbroiled Chicken Salad with Low Fat Balsamic Dressing (2 oz)

295

8.5

34

21

 

El Pollo Loco

Food Item

Calories

Fat (g)

Protein (g)

Carbohydrates (g)

TIP:  use salsa to replace salad dressing

Flame-Grilled Chicken Breast, Skinless--Special Request

180

3.5

35

0

Skinless Breast Meal (no salad dressing, no tortillas)

270

10

34

12

The Original Pollo Bowl

540

3.5

16

18

Chicken Taco al Carbon

150

5

11

17

Chicken Tostada w/o Shell

410

11

33

42

Caesar Pollo Salad w/o Dressing

220

7

25

15

Steamed Fresh Vegetables (no margarine)

35

0

2

8

Pinto Beans

140

0

9

25

Spanish Rice

160

1

3

34

 

Jamba Juice

Food Item

Calories

Fat (g)

Protein (g)

Carbohydrates (g)

Tip:  The following smoothies are made with Spenda Brand Sweetener.  The nutrition information applies when ordered in the 16 oz size.

Mango Mantra

160

0

6

34

Strawberry Nirvana

150

0

6

32

Berry Fulfilling

150

0

6

30

Subway

Food Item

Calories

Fat (g)

Protein (g)

Carbohydrates (g)

Tip:  Order "Jared Style" without cheese, mayo, or oil.  For salads with even fewer calories, choose fat-free Ialian dressing. 

Ham

290

5

18

47

Oven Roasted Chicken Breast

310

5

24

48

Roast Beef

290

5

19

45

Subway Club

320

6

24

47

Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki

370

5

26

59

Turkey Breast

280

4.5 

18 

                  46
Turkey Breast and Ham       290             5            20                      47
Veggie Delite       230            3             9                      44

Taco Bell

TIP:  Information below applies when you order items "Fresco" style.  This will result in a lower fat content as any sauce or cheese will be replaced with a zesty mix of diced tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. 

Food Item

Calories

Fat (g)

Protein (g)

Carbohydrates (g)

Crunchy Taco

150

8

7

13

Crunchy Taco Supreme

150

8

7

14

Soft Taco - Beef

180

7

8

21

Soft Taco Supreme - Beef

190

7

9

22

Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco

170

4

12

21

Grilled Steak Soft Taco

160

4.5

10

20

Bean Burrito

320

7

12

54

7-layer Burrito

380

8

13

62

Panda Express

Food Item

Calories

Fat (g)

Protein (g)

Carbohydrate (g)

Steamed Rice

380

2.5

9

81

35

4

4

6

Eggplant and Tofu

90

10

5

20

Mandarin Chicken

90

10

31

8

Mushroom Chicken

60

6

11

8

Broccoli Beef

60

7

11

11

Tangy Shrimp

50

5

9

16

 

 

 

 

 

Baskin-Robbins

Food Item

Calories

Fat (g)

Protein (g)

Carbohydrates (g)

Vanilla nonfat yogurt

210

4

6

32

210

4

6

41

Chocolate Nonfat Soft Serve Yogurt

120

0

4

25

Sherbet

160

2

1

34

Tip:  The following nutrition information applies when you order the Low Fat Ice Cream – No Sugar Added

Caramel Turtle

160

4

5

37

Pineapple Coconut

120

2

5

27

Tin Roof Sunday

150

3.5

5

33

 

 

 

 

 

Starbucks

Tip:  Customize your drinks using the following suggestions to reduce calories

Special Beverage Request

Reduction in Calories and Fat

"Hold the Whip"

Eliminates 80-130 calories and 8-12 g fat

Reduced-fat and Skim Milk

Eliminates up to 140 calories and 19 g fat

Sugar Free Syrup

Vanilla or hazelnut, adds 0 calories, 0 g fat

Fewer Pumps of Syrup

Save 20 calories and 5 g sugar per pump

Frappuccino Light

Save up to 140 calories and 2.5 g fat

 

THIS TOOL DOES NOT GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE.
It is for informational use only. It does not take the place of getting advice from a doctor for diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore your doctor's advice or wait to get medical help because of something you have read on this site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 right away.  Read disclaimer information.