February 21, 2008
Chicken Strip Tease
McDonald's Chicken Selects Premium Breasts Strips may sound healthy, but ounce for ounce, the strips are no healthier than McDonald's Chicken McNuggets A standard 5 strip order has 630 calories and 11 grams of saturated and trans fat (33 grams total fat!)
That's about the same as a Big Mac, except the burger has 1040mg sodium, while the Selects hit 1550mg, even without the salty sauce.
Posted by Lisa at 07:25 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 26, 2008
Stack Attack
Unless you're suicidal, why on earth would you want to subject yourself to a Burger King Quad Stacker? That's 4 hamburger patties, 4 slices of cheese, 8 strips of bacon plus sauce and a bun!
Just think, by eating this one burger you can get half-a-day's calories (1000), one-and-a-half-days' worth of saturated fat (30 grams), 3 grams of trans fat, and 1800mg sodium (2300mg recommended in a whole day).
This is what the advertised version looks like:
Posted by Lisa at 10:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 17, 2007
Too Much of a Bad Thing
This just in: According to a new national survey, "most Americans believe some restaurants serve portions that are too large."
Nooo.
Posted by Lisa at 09:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 05, 2007
Healthy Dining Finder
Healthydiningfinder.com has been updated! This website helps you make smart food choices when dining out.
Nutrition criteria for Healthy Dining - based on many recommendations of leading health organizations.
1. Entrees (or full meals) must include at least one of the following:
fruits and/or vegetables
lean protein, i.e., skinless white meat poultry, fish/seafood (including salmon), tofu, etc., with no more than two red meat dishes per restaurant
100 percent whole grains
Menu items must meet the following three criteria:
Entrees:
750 calories or less
25 grams of fat or less
8 grams of saturated fat or less
Appetizers, side dishes and desserts:
250 calories or less
8 grams of fat or less
3 grams of saturated fat or less
If a menu item exceeds only one of these criteria (fat, saturated fat, or calorie) by a small margin (i.e., 10 percent), that item may be included on the Web site
Whenever possible, menu items that are lower in sodium and cholesterol are featured.
Posted by Lisa at 11:25 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 29, 2006
Healthy Dining
How many of you eat out at least once a week? 3 times week? Anyone eat out once a day? For some people eating at restaurants is a regular part of their life. If you eat out often - it's a good idea to be conscious of those potentially hefty meals you may be being served. Research suggests that the more food you have in front of you, the more you will eat. Healthy Dining is a new website that features healthy menu options at select restaurants in your area as well as tips on how to eat our healthier. Afterall, what are the reasons you go out to eat? To celebrate, spend time with friends or family, take a night off from cooking and cleaning up? It's rarely about getting the Fettuccini Alfredo and finishing every last bite, right? So, have fun, relax and keep your health in check by trying some of these healthier options.
Posted by Lisa at 11:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 27, 2006
Eating Out Tips
Everyone enjoys a nice dinner out every now and then. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, meeting a friend or just don’t feel like cooking, eating out usually has more meaning than just what’s on your plate. Try some of these tips the next time you go to a restaurant to help you stay on the healthy eating track.
1. Choose either an appetizer or dessert, but not both. Along with your entrée that’s usually 2-3 servings in itself, that’s a lot of food! Also, don’t get coerced into the special deals that include all three. You may save a little money but you may regret it when all that food is staring at you and you can’t resist just one more bite.
2. To save calories, limit alcohol. Alcohol can also make you feel hungrier than you really are.
3. Volunteer to start the ordering so that you’re not swayed by another’s less healthy choices. Who knows, maybe you’ll sway someone else.
4. Slow down your eating and try to savor the flavors and enjoy the company of your companions.
5. Pass the bread or chip basket to the other side of the table so that you’re not tempted to reach in.
6. Don’t go all day without eating to save up for a big meal at night. This may backfire – making you overly hungry and more apt to overindulge. Try just eating a little less at earlier meals so that you still have an appetite for your dinner out.
Posted by Lisa at 07:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 18, 2006
McDonalds Makes a Move?
McDonald’s Corp. will promote its healthier menu choices to counter negative publicity expected from a new book co-written by the author of ''Fast Food Nation,'' Chief Executive Jim Skinner said Monday.
The approach signifies a marked departure from the way the world's largest fast-food chain remained mostly quiet after being skewered in both Eric Schlosser's ''Fast Food Nation'' in 2001 and filmmaker Morgan Spurlock's 2004 documentary, ''Super Size Me.''
This time, the company is trying to get its side told even before publicity hits for both ''Chew On This,'' which was co-written by Schlosser with Charles Wilson and targets 11- to 15-year-olds, and a film version of ''Fast Food Nation'' that is due out later this year featuring Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke.
Posted by Lisa at 12:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 16, 2005
Diners Use the Internet More
While customers want restaurants to be their home away from home, they still want the food to be much better than what they cook at home. Two of every three people said their favorite restaurant food has flavors that "can't easily be duplicated in their home kitchens," the report said.
But that doesn't necessarily mean diners want butter-drenched, super-sized entrees. Seventy-two percent of people say they are trying to eat more healthfully at restaurants than they were two years ago, and more than half of all restaurants say orders for salads and bottled water are up from two years ago, according to the report.
Diners also are using the Internet more to peruse menus and place orders, so restaurants would be wise to have a Web site and update it frequently, the report said. About 35 percent of people go online for information on a restaurant they haven't eaten at before, up from only 9 percent in 1999. Seven in 10 restaurants have a Web site, but half of those update their sites monthly or less, the report found.
The report predicts that restaurant sales will reach a record $511 billion next year, with the industry employing 12.5 million people.
Posted by Lisa at 09:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 03, 2005
McDonalds McStrips Misconception
Think you're getting a better quality food by ordering the Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips instead of the McNuggets? Nutrition-wise they're not such a great choice. The 6 nuggets have 250 calories, 15 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat and 1.5 grams of trans fat. The 3 strips have 380 calories, 20 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat and 2.5 grams of trans fat. The McNuggets also have 670 mg sodium and 15 grmas of protein vs. 930 mg sodium and 23 grams of protein in the Select Breast Strips.
Make your own chicken strips with one of these recipes.
Posted by Lisa at 08:49 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 16, 2005
Eating Out Series: Chinese
Chinese food is notorious for frying everything and being extra salty. Here are ten clues on how to choose sensibly when eating Chinese food.
Start out with a bowl of hot and sour soup instead of the egg drop soup.
The key word is steamed. Steamed rice, vegetables, and wontons are all good choices.
Vegetable lo mein and chop suey are 2 lower fat choices.
Ask that your vegetables, beef, chicken or shrimp be lightly stir-fried.
Sweet and Sour dishes have very little meat and are mostly the fat breaded and fried in more fat. Orange chicken, lemon chicken and garlic chicken are also breaded and fried in fat.
Go easy on the soy sauce. It has 1200 mg of sodium per tablespoon…that’s half the recommended intake for the day!
Ask your server if the cooks could not add MSG to your food. This is a high-sodium flavor enhancer called monosodium glutamate.
Try a family style dinner where you choose 3 low fat dishes and agree on 1 high fat dish. For example, order the won ton soup, steamed rice, steamed vegetables and garlic chicken.
Use chopsticks! For most people, it takes longer to eat so you’re brain will have time to get the message that you’re no longer hungry (it takes 20 minutes!).
Don’t forget to read your fortune from the low fat fortune cookies!
Posted by Lisa at 11:22 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 15, 2005
Pizza Packs Nutrition
Pizza is an American favorite and can be a great fit in a healthy eating plan.
Pizza is a perfect example of several food groups from the Food Guide Pyramid combined in one meal. The crust is a grain, the tomato sauce is a vegetable, the cheese a dairy and any meat is, of course, a protein. Making pizza healthier starts with the toppings.
Boost vegetable intake by adding onions, green peppers, broccoli, jalapenos or artichoke hearts. Decrease the fat by choosing crabmeat, Canadian bacon, shrimp, lean meat or chicken. Avoiding extra cheese also helps. If you're really adventurous, you can even add exotic vegetables, pineapple chunks or barbecue sauce.
Remember, a pizza can be anything you want. So use the Food Guide Pyramid to make it healthy and enjoyable.
Posted by Lisa at 01:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 10, 2005
Eating Out Series: American
Most often you can find a low fat meal at an American restaurant. The problem arises with the add-ons and sauces. Here are some sensible options and tips on how to enjoy the not-so-sensible foods too.
Broth-based soups or shrimp cocktail are good starters.
Have a slice of bread if you want. If not, ask your server to take the basket off the table so you’re not tempted to indulge as you’re waiting for your meal to arrive.
Ask for your salad dressing on the side. Dip your fork into the dressing and then pierce the tomato, lettuce, cucumber, etc.
Pork tenderloin and grilled chicken breast are better choices than fried chicken, thighs, wings or drumsticks.
The leanest cuts of meat are New York, sirloin or filet mignon steak.
Grilled, baked or steamed fish or seafood with lemon juice or cocktail sauce are great choices.
If you get a burger, be aware of its weight. Most restaurants don’t use lean ground beef and it could be 2 days worth of meat.
Wise side dishes are rice pilaf or baked potato. Get the condiments on the side and add what you want. Sour cream has less fat than butter.
The best desserts are sherbet, angel food cake with fruit or frozen yogurt.
If you want a special dessert, split it or get your dessert to go and enjoy it later.
Posted by Lisa at 11:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 03, 2005
Eating Out Series: Fast Food
Fast food fits nicely into our fast-paced lifestyles. It can be cheap, convenient and fast, but not always healthy. Here are some tips on how to fit fast food into a healthy lifestyle.
Ask for nutrition information at restaurants or find it online at restaurants’ websites. Have an idea of the best choices at different places so when you’re running errands or traveling and need a place to stop, you’ll be prepared.
Limit fast food to once per week.
Small hamburgers and grilled chicken sandwiches are going to be your best choices. Save the fried chicken, nachos supreme and double burgers for a once and awhile indulgence.
Stick with ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles to top your burgers. Omit the bacon, cheese and mayonnaise/special sauces.
Substitute a side salad or baked potato for the French fries.
If you order an entrée salad, be careful of the extras that come with it and how much you add on. The salad can easily become as high fat and caloric as a double burger with fries. Ask for a low fat salad dressing.
When at a deli, choose low fat lunchmeats over egg, tuna or chicken salad, meatball or Italian meat sandwiches. Pile on the veggies and choose low fat/low calorie dressings.
Choose thin crusts when ordering pizza instead of the deep dish or stuffed crusts. Watch out for high fat toppings like pepperoni, sausage, Italian meats and lots of cheese. Go vegetarian or try Canadian bacon and pineapple.
Save calories by drinking water, ice tea or diet soda instead of regular sodas and milkshakes.
Most fast food chains are phasing out their super-sized items…but politely decline if they suggest getting even more for your dollar.
Posted by Lisa at 11:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 27, 2005
Eating Out Series: Italian
How much pasta can we fit on one plate? I think Italian restaurants are having a competition. Pasta’s cheap…so why not load up the plate, right? Patrons will think it’s a great deal and they’re taught to eat and eat and eat until the plate is clean. Not to mention the basket(s) of bread before the entrée is served. Here are some tips on how to persevere the endless pasta predicament.
Ask your server for a dish of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Dip your bread into this tasty mixture instead of using the spreads that are high in saturated or trans fat. Olive oil is one of the best oils because it’s high in monounsaturated fats. Enjoy one slice of bread. You have plenty of carbs coming with dinner.
Ask for salad dressing to be served on the side. Dip your fork into the dressing and then pierce the vegetables one at a time.
Broth based soups like minestrone adds another serving of veggies to your day.
Stick with pasta with red sauce instead of white sauce. Tomato sauces are low in fat and calories.
Fettuccini Alfredo is also known as “heart attack on a plate�. The average plate contains 100 grams of fat! This is one of those recipes you want to master at home. Mix a package of dry Alf redo mix with skim milk and either ½ the butter or eliminate the butter all together. Add some chicken breast or vegetables for some extra flavor.
Other high fat menu items are the cheesy ones: stuffed shells, cheese ravioli, manicotti, lasagna and cannelloni. Tortellini has the least amount of cheese of the bunch, so if you’re feeling like something cheesy – go for the tortellini…with red sauce.
Chicken dishes like piccatta, marsala or cacciatore, are usually good choices. Sometimes they’re cooked in butter, so ask your server before ordering. Sometimes they take special requests.
Try different kinds of ravioli: chicken, seafood, portabella mushroom or artichoke are some popular fillings. Of course, cover it with red sauce.
Ask for ½ portions or lunch sized portions. It’s the same food, just less of it. Research shows that people eat more when given a larger portion.
Place half of your meal in the take home container at the beginning of the meal. Less temptation to eat more.
Posted by Lisa at 02:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 16, 2005
Eating Out Series: Mexican
Ever been to a Mexican restaurant where they bring out the big meat platter of food with the extra large entrée with a side of rice and a side of beans…and this is after the 2 basket of tortilla chips and salsa you’ve devoured? It is possible to eat healthfully at a Mexican restaurant. Here’s how…
One way to save calories and fat is trade in the basket of fried tortilla chips for a dish of corn tortillas. Tear them into pieces and dip them into the salsa.
If you really like the chips and salsa, enjoy them and then choose a small dish for your entrée.
The best (low-fat) entrees are soft tacos, fajitas, or enchiladas. Choose chicken over beef.
Order a la cart. Get the entrée you want without the beans and rice. If they’re there, you’ll probably eat them. If they’re not there, would you really miss them?
Go easy on the cheese and sour cream.
Guacamole is high in monounsaturated fat, which is great, but it is also high in calories so, don’t overdo it.
Taco salad sounds healthy but can easily become high fat and calories once you pile on the ground beef, sour cream, guacamole, cheese and fried tortilla chips.
Refried beans usually have lard or butter mixed in. Not the best choice.
What’s one of the highest fat items on the menu? Chile relleno. Deep fried chile filled with cheeses.
Take half you’re entrée home to have for lunch the next day.
Posted by Lisa at 01:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack