I appreciate the Applebee's commercial for their 550 calories or less menu items. It features a table full of men razzing the guy who orders a lower calorie meal. The food looks great and all the guys want a bite. Maybe the menu items under 550 calories can be a step towards moderate portion sizes at restaurants.
When you eat at Applebee's look for the section of the menu with items less than 550 calories. They range from steak to seafood pasta. All the dishes are loaded with vegetables. One of the pasta dishes uses whole wheat pasta. Also look for the menu items developed for Weight Watchers. If you are in the mood to eat from another part of the menu the seasonal vegetables and fruit are great options for sides. Also the chicken tortilla and chicken noodle soups are low in fat and calories. (Unfortunately they are high in sodium)
You can find detailed nutritional information about Applebee's menu items on their website. It is worth checking out your favorite dish because it would be easy to eat over 1000 calories with sides. The calorie, fat and sodium content of Applebee's menu items are similar to many restaurants who provide nutritional information. Use 2000 calories as your goal for the day. If you are looking for more information on what and how much you should be eating go to mypyramid.gov.
apple from google images by TrishUnruh
Comments
bondun (anonymous) says…
Trish -- Might want to do a little internet research on Applebee's "nutrition."
Gilbert Oshinsky LLP Announces Class Action Lawsuit Against Weight Watchers and Applebee's for False Nutritional AdvertisingComplaint in Kansas federal court alleges that weight-loss organization and restaurant conspired to mislead customers about nutritional content of Weight Watchers Menu
September 10, 2008
http://www.gotofirm.com/mediacenter-p...
Marilyn_Hull (Marilyn Hull) replies…
Thanks for pointing this out! If the allegations are true, it is very troubling.
jestevens (Jane Stevens) replies…
I'll check it out. The suit was filed in 2008 concerning an Applebee's-Weight Watchers menu. We'll see what the outcome was.
Marilyn_Hull (Marilyn Hull) replies…
Thanks, Jane. I'm curious.
TrishUnruh (Trish Unruh) replies…
Thanks for letting me know. I will see if I can find out more.
jestevens (Jane Stevens) says…
I've emailed and left a message with Alyson Foster, one the of attorneys at Gilbert Oshinsky LLP, which was one of the law firms that filed the suit. If you'd like to contact her, her phone number is 202-772-2441, and her email is fostera@gotofirm.com.
jestevens (Jane Stevens) says…
According to Alyson Foster, who responded in an email the suit was settled in 2010. Because it was settled before it went to court, she could not discuss the terms of settlement or anything about the suit.
Applebee's still partners with WeightWatchers on some menu items:
http://www.applebees.com/Menu_WeightW...
TrishUnruh (Trish Unruh) says…
Jane-
Thanks for following up. I wondered if it had been settled out of court.