New Year, New Diet. I know I am still on the “new year” fad of 2017, and I apologize. I told myself the same thing I tell myself every year – you will eat healthy and work out. I have been pretty good at keeping this up, I have only really broken my ‘diet’ on the weekends and if it is grilled cheese or chicken tender night. I have worked out for about an hour when my schedule allows me. It is important that I make time in my packed schedule to make time to work out, even if it only for half an hour. I need to balance my health and my school life as well, which I touched on in my last article (http://www.hercampus.com/school/illinois-state/how-survive-spring-semester). However, I am human. I sometimes can’t make it to the dining center, or I have a craving for a chain restaurant. Want to know a tip of mine? YOU STILL CAN EAT HEALTHY AT A FOOD CHAIN!!! That phrase is music to my ears. Below I have listed restaurants on/close to campus with healthy options that each respective restaurant has on the menu!
Burger King
Here are the healthiest items on Burger Kings’s Menu according to http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Healthiest-Burger-King-Menu-Items-3433883#photo-23977181
Whopper Junior: 260 Calories
Fruit Topped Maple Flavored Quaker Oatmeal: 270 Calories
Veggie Burger: 320 Calories
Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich: 360 Calories
Premium Alaskan Fish Sandwich: 360 Calories
So, skip the Chicken Fries and order something above!
Buffalo Wild Wings
Here are the healthiest items on BWW’s Menu according to http://www.self.com/story/nutrition-what-to-order-buffalo-wild-wings
Everything at BWW comes with condiments. These small side sauces range from 40 calories to a whopping 320 calories. Stick to Sweet BBQ, Mild, Medium, Spicy Garlic, Hot, Hot BBQ or Wild sauces. Forget the Blue Cheese, Ranch and Southwestern Ranch.
There’s no shame in the Naked Chicken Tenders. Order four and add a skinny sauce we suggested for just 225 calories.
On the side you can still have a Veggie Boat of carrots, celery, and light ranch dressing for 110 calories, or split regular fries or Buffalo Chips with a friend for about 140.
If you can’t deny yourself “B-Dubs” signature dish, set your limit at 5 wings and stick to the skinny side of the sauce options.
Chipotle
ORDER A BURRITO BOWL OR SALAD = No extra carb calories!
Meats/Tofu Under 200 – Sofritas (145), Steak (150), Barbacoa (165), Chicken (180)
Fillers – White and Brown Rice: 120 calories each; Pinto and Black Beans: 115/120 calories; FAJITA VEGGIES: 20 calories!
Toppings – Salsa: 8-80 Calories; Cheese and Sour Cream: 100/115 calories; Guac: 230 calories (Did you know guac is extra…calories and money?!); Lettuce: 5 calories!
Sides – Chips: 500 calories; Chips with Guac: 800 calories; Chips and Salsa: 585-600 calories
WHAT I ORDER:
A Salad (yes, they have salad!) with Sofritas, Brown Rice, Black Beans and Lettuce. This adds up for a total of … 485 Calories!!!
Einstein’s Bros. Bagels
EINSTEIN’S LISTS THEIR CALORIE INFO ON THE MENU!
Bagels – 280-380 Calories
Toppings – Whipped Cream Cheese (130-150 Calories); Others (0-180 Calories)
Desserts – 330-590 Calories
WHAT I ORDER:
A Toasted Honey Wheat Bagel with Reduced Fat Cream Cheese. This adds up for a total of…. 390 Calories!!!
Jimmy John’s
ORDER AN ‘UNWICH’ = No extra carb calories!
SLIM SANDWICHES ARE LESS CALORIES THAN THE OTHER SUBS!
Meats – Turkey (60), Ham (70), Roast Beef (90), ‘Vito Meat’ (154), Tuna (425)
Cheese – Provolone (110)
Extras – Avocado (15), Bacon (150), Cucumber (5), Mayo (160), Sprouts (5), Onions (10), Italian Vinaigrette (80), Mustard (10), Peppers (15)
Chips – All 150 calories, except Thinny Jimmy Chips (130)
Cookies – Oatmeal (365) and Chocolate Chunk (400)
WHAT I ORDER:
A Slim 4 (Turkey) ‘Unwich’ with Avocado. This adds up for a total of … 75 Calories!!!
McAlister’s Deli
McAlister’sDeli has created a “Lite Choose Two” menu option to help guests kick off their New Year’s resolution to eat healthy!!
McAlister’s “Lite Choose Two” menu pairs existing menu items for quick and easy lighter dining decisions. Calorie counts are listed next to each of the pairings, which include:
- Veggie Club & Fire Roasted Vegetable Soup (350 calories)
- Turkey Melt & Fire Roasted Vegetable Soup (370 calories)
- Ham & Cheese Toastie & Fire Roasted Vegetable Soup (410 calories)
- The New Yorker & Fire Roasted Vegetable Soup (430 calories)
- Harvest Chicken Salad & Fire Roasted Vegetable Soup (440 calories)
- Grilled Chicken Club & Fire Roasted Vegetable Soup (450 calories)
- Reuben & Fire Roasted Vegetable Soup (450 calories)
LINK: https://www.fastcasual.com/news/mcalisters-pushing-low-calorie-options/
McDonalds
Here are the 5 healthiest items on McDonald’s Menu according to http://lifehacker.com/5283646/five-healthiest-foods-at-mcdonalds
Grilled Ranch Snack Wrap – 270 calories – 10g fat (4g sat) – 830mg sodium
Chicken McNuggets (6pc) – 280 calories – 17g (3g sat) – 600mg sodium
Hamburger – 250 calories – 9g fat (3.5g sat) – 520mg sodium
Southwest Salad w/ Grilled Chicken – 320 calories – 9g fat (3g sat) – 960mg sodium
Filet-O-Fish – 380 calories – 18g fat (3.5g sat) – 640mg sodium
WHAT I ORDER:
A Grilled Ranch Snack Wrap! This adds up for a total of…. 270 Calories!!!
Noodles and Company
Caesar Salad (Small) Calories: 220
Thai Curry Soup (Small) Calories: 220
Chinese Chop Salad (Small) Calories: 200
Chicken Noodle Soup (Small) Calories: 190
The Med Salad (Small) Calories: 170
WHAT I SHOULD ORDER:
A Small Caesar Salad for a total of…. 220 calories!
WHAT I ACTUALLY ORDER:
Wisconsin Mac and Chesse with Mushrooms! This adds up for a total of…. I don’t want to talk about it!!! #treatyoself
Pizza Hut
Here are the healthiest items on Pizza Hut’s Menu:
Medium Thin ‘n Crispy Ham Pizza (1 slice) – 170 calories
Medium Thin ‘n Crispy Veggie Lover’s Pizza (1 slice) – 180 calories
Ham and Pineapple, Individual Italian (slice, 4 per pizza)* – 193 calories
Medium Thin ‘n Crispy Chicken Supreme Pizza (1 slice) – 200 calories
Medium Thin ‘n Crispy Cheese Pizza (1 slice) – 200 calories
Medium Thin ‘n Crispy Pepperoni Pizza (1 slice) – 210 calories
Ultimate Veggie Lovers Hand Tossed Pizza – 1 slice – 230 calories
Potbelly
Mediterranean Salad – 257 calories
T-K-Y Skinny – 294 calories
Chickpea Veggie Salad – 279 calories
Mushroom Melt Skinny – 348 calories
Little Tuna Skinny – 357 calories
Turkey Sandwich with No Cheese – 424 calories
WHAT I ORDER:
Mushroom Melt Skinny for a total of…. 348 calories
HAPPY HEALTHY EATING!! – Renata