Calorie Counters

The billboard above is raising eyebrows in the San Fransico area. According to Calorie Lab, the ad’s making people angry - can you believe that?! 

I can’t imagine getting worked up over a suggestion that people should eat healthier.   Naturally, the people behind the ad aren’t saying that celery sticks (the stick in question) will cure obesity all by themselves.  They’re pointing out that the sort of healthy lifestyle that’s represented by waist-friendly foods such as celery sticks WILL help in the fight against fat.

Geez, why are people so quick to criticize and condemn anymore?  It’s an ad aimed at helping people get healthier and it’s coming under criticism. 

Personally?  I think it’s a great ad with a great message.  Clever, even.  Maybe it’s a good thing that people ARE criticizing it - it’ll get more publicity that way.  What do you think about the ad?

I’m hooked on the Lean Cuisine microwavable meals.  My daughters are at the age where they’re running in and out just about all day long, so I like to keep things on hand for them to grab a meal whenever they need it.  (Okay, I’ll be honest, I actually heat the meals up for them - my girls are nothing if not spoiled.) 

I also keep them on hand for myself.  I work from home, so I have the luxury of taking my lunch break whenever I want to (generally, whenever I Love Lucy comes on TV Land).  One of my favorites, in fact the one I enjoyed today, is the Santa Fe-Style Rice & Beans. I like to eat it with either a heated soft tortilla or some tortilla chips on the side.  My middle daughter, Brittany, who happens to be a vegetarian, loves this one too.  My youngest daughter, Stephany’s favorite is the Spaghetti & Meatball’s meal and my oldest, Emily, is just like her mom… we love them all so much, it’s just too close to call.

Emily, Stephany, and I love seafood as much as we love any food, so we’re TOTALLY excited about the new Lean Cuisine line of Seafood Delights.  Each has 350 or less calories and will be available in July.

The newbies are: Parmesan Crusted Fish, Shrimp Alfredo, Tortilla Crusted Fish and Szechuan Style Stir Fry with Shrimp. 

Shrimp?  Sign me all kinds of up!

The Lean Cuisine meals are perfectly healthy alternatives to fast food lunches.  They’re surprisingly filling, too.  While we only eat them for lunch, they could just as easily be used at supper.  Served with a little bread and a bowl of salad or cole slaw, they’d be delicous and satisfying.  And best of all, they’re healthy!

Health.com recently sought out nutritional information from restaurants across the country.  A lot of them cooperated and ten restaurants made the top ten list of Healthiest Casual Dining Spots.

I was honestly surprised to not find Applebee’s on the list.  I’d love to know what kept them off, because they have some pretty amazing food that seems as healthy as it is delicious.

Below are the top ten:

1. Uno Chicago Grill
2. Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes
3. Mimi’s Cafe
4. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
5. Bob Evans Restaurants
6. Ruby Tuesday
7. Romano’s Macaroni Grill
8. Chevy’s Fresh Mex
9. Olive Garden
10. Denny’s

Denny’s?  Bob Evan’s?  Wow, I’m impressed - I thought those guys were all about the calories and beefy goodness.  Appaently there’s more to them than meets the eye….or should I say less than meets the eye? 

Health.com has also compiled a list of the restaurants that aren’t lightening up.  You can find these tasty, but not trim restaurants Here. 

I guess a lot of it has to do with what you order at a restaurant.  It’s good to know which restaurants have the healthiest cooking practices, though.

While we’re on the subject of healthy eating, I have a few more links I want you to check out:

Build a Better Salad

All Star Foods that Fight for Health

Everything we put into our mouths either makes us more healthy, less healthy, or keeps us where we’re at.  If we’re smart (and I believe we are!), we’ll start doing our homework and start loading up on the foods and drinks that’ll give us better health.  At the same time, we’ll start cutting out those that harm us in any way.

As for those foods and drinks that are sort of in a fog - you know, the ones we KNOW aren’t necessarily healthy but we don’t know if they’re exactly harmful - if any studies have even suggested that they’re unhealthy, we should “Throw the bum out!“ Then, we can replace it with something from our “healthy” list. 

My husband and I had always been a fans of Mickey D’s, but after becomming parents, we came to think of Ronald as part of the family. (Imagine Michael’s surprise when he realized he couldn’ t claim him as a dependent.) With each new teeth that Emily got, her love of the arches - which she could spy from 20 miles away from her car seat perch - grew stronger. Even then we travelled a lot, and she’d start the McDonald’s “chant” long before we’d even see the iconic sign. As soon as she’d say, “Don-Doos! Don-Doos!,” our heads would start looking right/left - after all, we had to know which way to turn for our lunch….or breakfast, snack, or dinner….

We ate a looooot of McDonald’s. As a college kid, it’s still her favorite fast food restaurant. A lot of times she’ll come in and I”ll ask her if she had a good lunch. She’ll say, “Oh, yeah, it was real good - Fillet of Fish and fries.” Our kid’s idea of “good” seldom gels with our own, does it?

Oh well, you can’t fight against the clown, he’s a giant - you might as well just see what he has to offer, then make smart choices.

SANDWICHES:

Hamburger = 250 Calories and 520 mg Sodium

Cheeseburger = 300 Calories and 750 mg Sodium

Double Cheeseburger = 440 Calories and 1150 mg Sodium

Quarter Pounder = 410 Calories and 730 mg Sodium

Quarter Pounder with Cheese = 510 Calories and 1190 mg Sodium

Big Mac = 540 Calories and 1040 mg Sodium

Big ‘N Tasty = 460 Calories and 720 mg Sodium

Big ‘N Tasty With Cheese = 510 Calories and 960 mg Sodium

Filet-O-Fish = 380 Calories and 660 mg Sodium

McChicken = 360 Calories and 790 mg Sodium

Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich = 1190 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Premium Crispy Chicken Classic Sandwich = 1330 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Premium Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich = 1720 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Premium Crispy Chicken Club Sandwich = 1860Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Premium Grilled Chicken Ranch BLT Sandwich = 1760 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Premium Crispy Chicken Ranch BLT Sandwich = 1900 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Ranch Snack Wrap with Crispy Chicken = 780 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Ranch Snack Wrap with Grilled Chicken = 830 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Honey Mustard Snack Wrap with Crispy Chicken = 750 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Honey Mustard Snack Wrap with Grilled Chicken = 800 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap with Crispy Chicken = 780 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap with Grilled Chicken = 820 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

THE FRIES:

Small French Fries = 250 Calories and 140 mg Sodium

Medium French Fries = 380 Calories and 220 mg Sodium

Large French Fries = 570 Calories and 330 mg Sodium

Ketchup Packet = 15 Calories and 110 mg Sodium

CHICKEN McNUGGETS/CHICKEN SELECTS PREMIUM BREAST STRIPS/SAUCES:

Chicken McNuggets (4) = 170 Calories and 450 mg Sodium

Chicken McNuggets (6) = 250 Calories and 670 mg Sodium

Chicken McNuggets (10) = 420 Calories and 1120 mg Sodium

Barbeque Sauce = 50 Calories and 260 mg Sodium

Honey = 50 Calories and 0 mg Sodium

Hot Mustard = 60 Calories and 250 mg Sodium

Sweet and Sour = 50 Calories and 150 mg Sodium

Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips (3) = 380 Calories and 930 mg Sodium

Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips (5) = 630 Calories and 1550 mg Sodium

Spicy Buffalo Sauce = 70 Calories and 960 mg Sodium

Creamy Ranch Sauce = 200 Calories and 320 mg Sodium

Tangy Honey Mustard Sauce = 70 Calories and 170 mg Sodium

Southwestern Chipotle Barbeque Sauce = 70 Calories and 260 mg Sodium

SALADS:
(The Dressings have the Nutritional Information printed on the back.)

Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken = 320 Calories and 970 mg Sodium

Southwest Salad with Crispy Chicken = 400 Calories and 1110 mg Sodium

Southwest Salad (without chicken) = 140 Calories and 150 mg Sodium

Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken = 300 Calories and 890 mg Sodium

Asian Salad with Crispy Chicken = 380 Calories and 1030 mg Sodium

Asian Salad (without chicken) = 150 Calories and 35 mg Sodium

Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken = 260 Calories and 1010 mg Sodium

Bacon Ranch Salad with Crispy Chicken = 350 Calories and 1150 mg Sodium

Bacon Ranch Salad (without chicken) = 140 Calories and 300 mg Sodium

Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken = 220 Calories and 890 mg Sodium

Caesar Salad with Crispy Chicken = 300 Calories and 1020 mg Sodium

Caesar Salad (without chicken) = 90 Calories and 180 mg Sodium

Side Salad = 20 Calories and 10 mg Sodium

Butter Garlic Croutons = 60 Calories and 140 mg Sodium

Snack Size Fruit & Walnut Salad = 210 Calories and 60 mg Sodium

BREAKFAST:

Egg McMuffin = 300 Calories and 820 mg Sodium

Sausage McMuffin = 370 Calories and 850 mg Sodium

Sausage McMuffin with Egg = 450 Calories and 920 mg Sodium

English Muffin = 160 Calories and 280 mg Sodium

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit (Regular Size Biscuit) = 450 Calories and 1360 mg Sodium

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit (Large Size Biscuit) = 520 Calories and 1520 mg Sodium

Sausage Biscuit with Egg (Regular Size Biscuit) = 500 Calories and 1130 mg Sodium

Sausage Biscuit with Egg (Large Size Biscuit) = 570 Calories and 1280 mg Sodium

Sausage Biscuit (Regular Size Biscuit) = 410 Calories and 1040 mg Sodium

Sausage Biscuit (Large Size Biscuit) = 480 Calories and 1190 mg Sodium

Biscuit (Regular Size) = 250 Calories and 700 mg Sodium

Biscuit (Large Size) = 320 Calories and 850 mg Sodium

Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles = 460 Calories and 1360 mg Sodium

Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles = 560 Calories and 1360 mg Sodium

Sausage McGriddles = 420 Calories and 1030 mg Sodium

Sausage Burrito = 300 Calories and 830 mg Sodium

Hotcakes and Sausage (2 pats margarine & syrup) = 780 Calories and 1020 mg Sodium

Hotcakes (2 pats margarine & syrup) = 610 Calories and 680 mg Sodium

Sausage Patty = 170 Calories and 340 mg Sodium

Scrambled Eggs (2) = 170 Calories and 520 mg Sodium

Hash Browns = 140 Calories and 290 mg Sodium

ETC:

Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait = 160 Calories and 85 mg Sodium

Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait w/out Granola = 130 Calories and 55 mg Sodium

Apple Dippers = 35 Calories and 0 mg Sodium

Low Fat Caramel Dip = 70 Calories and 35 mg Sodium

Notice the difference in the salads when you leave out the chicken. Personally, I never go to that extreme - I just share half of my chicken with my cats…makes them all kinds of happy. Something else that’s obvious is that if you have a choice between grilled and crispy, you should go with the grilled every time.

The merchandise featured in the post can be found online at McDonald’s Merchandise. If you’ve got it as McBad as Emily does, you’ll absolutely flip for the tees.

Thinking Arby’s? My answer would have to be, “Pretty much always.” Breakfast, lunch, supper, Survivor snacks, Monday Night Football snacks, One Life to Live snacks….it’s always the right time for Arby’s.

But now, the moment of truth. Let’s see just how many of our allowed daily calories are spent at Arby’s, and just how healthy the exchange is.

THE STARS OF THE SHOW:

Arby’s Sauce = 15 Calories and 177 mg Sodium

Arby’s Melt = 303 Calories and 921 mg Sodium

Bacon Beef ‘n Cheddar Sandwich = 521 Calories and 1574 mg Sodium

Beef ‘n Cheddar Sandwich = 445 Calories and 1275 mg Sodium

French Dip & Swiss Sandwich = 473 Calories and 1680 mg Sodium

Ham & Swiss Melt Sandwich = 275 Calories and 1117 mg Sodium

Horsey Sauce = 62 Calories and 173 mg Sodium

Kids Meal - Junior Roast Beef Sandwich = 273 Calories and 740 mg Sodium

Large Roast Beef Sandwich = 547 Calories and 1869 mg Sodium

Regular Roast Beef = 320 Calories and 953 mg Sodium

Medium Roast Beef = 416 Calories and 1379 mg Sodium

Sourdough Ham Melt = 380 Calories and 1280 mg Sodium

Sourdough Roast Beef Melt = 356 Calories and 1047 mg Sodium

Super Roast Beef = 398 Calories and 1061 mg Sodium

Swiss Melt = 304 Calories and 918 mg Sodium

Spicy Three Pepper Sauce = 22 Calories and 140 mg Sodium

THE CHICKEN:

Chicken Bacon & Swiss - Crispy = 624 Calories and 1320 mg Sodium

Chicken Bacon & Swiss - Grilled = 461 Calories and 1333 mg Sodium

Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich - Crispy = 651 Calories and 1547 mg Sodium

Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich - Grilled = 488 Calories and 1560 mg Sodium

Chicken Fillet Sandwich - Crispy = 577 Calories and 900 mg Sodium

Chicken Fillet Sandwich - Grilled = 414 Calories and 913 mg Sodium

Chicken Tenders - 3 piece = 379 Calories and 1188 mg Sodium

Chicken Tenders - 5 piece = 630 Calories and 1977 mg Sodium

Honey Mustard Dipping = 129 Calories and 151 mg Sodium

BBQ Dipping Sauce = 44 Calories and 343 mg Sodium

Buffalo Dipping Sauce = 10 Calories and 790 mg Sodium

Popcorn Chicken - Regular = 365 Calories and 1145 mg Sodium

Popcorn Chicken - Large = 531 Calories and 1666 mg Sodium

Popcorn Chicken Shakers = 584 Calories and 2795 mg Sodium

THE SUBS:

Philly Beef Toasted Sub = 738 Calories and 1881 mg Sodium

French Dip & Swiss Toasted Sub = 621 Calories and 3397 mg Sodium

Classic Italian Toasted Sub = 827 Calories and 2495 mg Sodium

Turkey Bacon Club Toasted Sub = 619 Calories and 2052 mg Sodium

THE SIDES:

Bronco Berry Dipping Sauce = 122 Calories and 36 mg Sodium

Cheddar Fries - Medium = 466 Calories and 1310 mg Sodium

Cheddar Cheese Sauce - side = 62 Calories and 173 mg Sodium

Cool Ranch Sour Cream Dipping Sauce = 30 Calories and 181 mg Sodium

Curly Fries - Large = 631 Calories and 1476 mg Sodium

Curly Fries - Medium = 397 Calories and 928 mg Sodium

Curly Fries - Small = 338 Calories and 791 mg Sodium

Homestyle Fries - Large = 566 Calories and 1029 mg Sodium

Homestyle Fries - Medium = 377 Calories and 686 mg Sodium

Homestyle Fries - Small = 302 Calories and 549 mg Sodium

Jalapeno Bites (Crazy Yum!) - Large (10) = 611 Calories and 1052 mg Sodium

Jalapeno Bites (Crazy Yum!) - Regular (5) = 305 Calories and 526 mg Sodium

Loaded Potato Bites - Large (10) = 707 Calories and 1601 mg Sodium

Loaded Potato Bites - Regular (5) = 353 Calories and 800 mg Sodium

Mozzarella Sticks - Large (8) = 849 Calories and 2730 mg Sodium

Mozzarella Sticks - Regular (4) = 426 Calories and 1370 mg Sodium

Potato Cakes (2) = 246 Calories and 391 mg Sodium

Southwest Eggrolls - Small (4 pieces) = 225 Calories and 387 mg Sodium

Southwest Eggrolls - Large (8 pieces) = 453 Calories and 778 mg Sodium

Chile Lime Ranch Dipping Sauce = 190 Calories and 300 mg Sodium

Tangy Southwest Sauce = 333 Calories and 371 mg Sodium

THE SALADS:

Sliced Almonds = 81 Calories and 0 mg Sodium

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing = 325 Calories and 657 mg Sodium

Chicken Club Salad = 486 Calories and 1220 mg Sodium

Martha’s Vineyard Salad = 276 Calories and 451 mg Sodium

Raspberry Vinaigrette = 194 Calories and 387 mg Sodium

Santa Fe Ranch Dressing = 296 Calories and 692 mg Sodium

Santa Fe Salad = 477 Calories and 1131 mg Sodium

Santa Fe Salad w/ Grilled Chicken = 283 Calories and 521 mg Sodium

Seasoned Tortilla Strips = 71 Calories and 25 mg Sodium

Light Buttermilk Ranch Dressing = 112 Calories and 472 mg Sodium

THE MARKET FRESH SANDWICHES AND WRAPS:

Chicken Salad w/ Pecans Sandwich = 769 Calories and 1240 mg Sodium

Chicken Salad w/ Pecans Wrap = 638 Calories and 1199 mg Sodium

Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich = 606 Calories and 1849 mg Sodium

Roast Beef & Swiss Sandwich = 777 Calories and 1743 mg Sodium

Roast Ham & Swiss Sandwich = 706 Calories and 2103 mg Sodium

Roast Turkey & Swiss Sandwich = 725 Calories and 1788 mg Sodium

Roast Turkey Ranch & Bacon Sandwich = 834 Calories and 2258 mg Sodium

Roast Turkey Ranch & Bacon Wrap = 699 Calories and 2215 mg Sodium

Roast Turkey Reuben Sandwich = 611 Calories and 1430 mg Sodium

Southwest Chicken Wrap = 568 Calories and 1451 mg Sodium

Ultimate BLT Sandwich = 779 Calories and 1570 mg Sodium

Ultimate BLT Wrap = 648 Calories and 1529 mg Sodium

Corned Beef Reuben Wrap = 576 Calories and 1720 mg Sodium

Roast Turkey Reuben Wrap = 581 Calories and 1301 mg Sodium

THE BREAKFAST:

Bacon & Egg Croissant = 337 Calories and 651 mg Sodium

Bacon Biscuit = 340 Calories and 1027 mg Sodium

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit = 461 Calories and 1446 mg Sodium

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissant = 378 Calories and 850 mg Sodium

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sourdough = 437 Calories and 1220 mg Sodium

Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Wrap = 515 Calories and 1367 mg Sodium

Biscuit - Plain = 273 Calories and 786 mg Sodium

Blueberry Muffin = 320 Calories and 490 mg Sodium

Chicken Biscuit (Yummm…) = 418 Calories and 1240 mg Sodium

Croissant = 190 Calories and 190 mg Sodium

French Toastix = 312 Calories and 492 mg Sodium

Ham & Cheese Croissant = 274 Calories and 842 mg Sodium

Ham Biscuit = 316 Calories and 1239 mg Sodium

Ham, Egg & Cheese Biscuit = 437 Calories and 1658 mg Sodium

Ham, Egg & Cheese Croissant = 434Calories and 1282 mg Sodium

Ham, Egg & Cheese Sourdough = 678 Calories and 2105 mg Sodium

Ham, Egg, & Cheese Wrap = 568 Calories and 1929 mg Sodium

Sausage & Egg Croissant = 433 Calories and 784 mg Sodium

Sausage Biscuit = 436 Calories and 1160 mg Sodium

Sausage Gravy Biscuit = 961Calories and 3754 mg Sodium

Sausage Patty = 210 Calories and 480 mg Sodium

Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissant = 474 Calories and 983 mg Sodium

Sausage, Egg & Cheese Wrap = 688 Calories and 1850 mg Sodium

Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit = 557 Calories and 1579 mg Sodium

Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sourdough = 514 Calories and 1233 mg Sodium

Notice the differences between sandwiches on bread and wraps. Fortunately the wraps are delicous - if you’re eating in the restaurant or at home. They weren’t really made for eating behind the wheel of a car. Messsssssy.

Something else that stands out already is the sodium count in certain foods. I never really think about sodium very much, but I know I should. I guess we all run into a salty wall when we order Diet drinks thinking that we’re doing a good thing. Add their sodium count to that in the sandwiches and sides and it’s a wonder we aren’t bloated like Macy’s balloons. Tea would be a much smarter choice - I have to keep that in mind.

I look forward to seeing how Arby’s Subs match wits with Subway’s and how the Roast Beef sandwiches fare against burgers. I also look forward to lunch, which I’m already “Thinking” about.

Sure, we all know that the healthiest, safest, and most economical place to eat is at home. But that’s not always possible, plus…come on…sometimes it’s fun to let someone else do all the shopping, working, and cleaning.

If you’re anything like me, though, you’re very mindful of the nutritional values in food - especially those values that affect how your Levi’s fit. Even though we like to avoid the dirty little words calories and fat, we can’t escape them - they know where our closets are. We’re all familiar with their plan of attack - they sneak in while we’re sleeping and super shrink all of our clothes. Dirty, dirty pool.

From our home office, I’m launching a “counter attack” - as in Fast Food Counter attack - against the vile, sneaky little vipers. Today I’m beginning a series of posts that’ll appear amongst the regular recipes, kitchen gadgets, and food tv ravings. First up will be Arby’s, and not because it comes first alphabetically. No, it hits closer to home than that. I’m sizing them up first because it’s a personal favorite.

Don’t get me wrong - I’m not against eating out…not even when the eating out is with Fast Food. I love fast food, and I’m pretty much always “Thinking Arby’s” in the form of Roast Beef Sandwiches, Curly Fries (dipped in the Arby’s Sauce, of course - ketchup is so yesterday), Jalapeno Poppers, the breakfast Chicken Biscuit sandwiches that I’d take over sausage on a biscuit anyday, the Mozzarella sticks…Great, now I’m not just Thinking Arby’s, I’m Craving Arby’s.

What I actually hope to do is showcase the healthiest choices to make at these restaurants. The news isn’t all bad. In fact, I’m encouraged by the number of restaurants that are offering healthier alternatives and trying to jump on the fitness/nutrition bandwagon. Subway (another favorite) is definitely leading the way, but others are following closely. We’ll find out which ones are closing in!