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Fast Food Shocks & Swaps

Posted Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 11:43 am PST

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Check out some of the best and worst lunchtime orders that Hungry Girl scoped out--they will surprise you!

The Place: Subway

No Way! 6" Tuna Sub (530 calories and 31g fat!)

A-Okay! 6" Roast Beef Sub (290 calories and 5g fat)

All six-inch subs are not created equal. Tuna may seem innocent enough, but that fish is swimming in a sea of fatty, calorie-packed mayo. And who knew roast beef could be guilt-free? Go for Subway's lean roast beef sandwich (or pretty much anything off the Fresh Fit menu) piled high with fresh veggies and decked out with one of the sub shop's fat-free condiments. (The Sweet Onion Sauce is soooo good!)

The Place: Chili's

Avoid It! Lettuce Wraps (580 calories and 35g fat!)

Enjoy It! Guiltless Chicken Sandwich (490 calories and 8g fat)

A honey mustard-covered chicken sandwich (complete with sides!) is better than some lettuce wraps off the salad section of the menu?!?! It's true! The Guiltless Chicken Sandwich is topped with fat-free honey mustard dressing and served with parmesan-sprinkled steamed veggies and black beans. Those lettuce wraps, on the other hand, come with fried noodles, too many nuts, and fatty dipping sauces. When in doubt, stick with stuff on Chili's Guiltless Grill menu--most of the other salad section selections are even higher in calories and fat than the lettuce wraps.

The Place: Wendy's

Drive-Thru Mess! Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich (450 calories and 22g fat!)

Drive-Thru Success! Ultimate Chicken Grill Sandwich (320 calories and 7g fat)

"Premium Fish" may sound all fancy and healthful, but this tartar-sauce-smothered fried fish is a fast food flop. And although "Ultimate" often equals a decadent don't, this giant grilled chick-wich is a definite do! You could even ditch the bun and enjoy your grilled chicken 'n' honey mustard combo over a side salad for only 190 calories and 5g fat. Mmmm!

The Place: Ruby Tuesday

Never! Bella Turkey Burger (1,145 calories and 71g fat!)

Whenever! Top Sirloin (256 calories and 6g fat)

"Bella" may mean "beautiful," but that turkey burger is actually pretty hideous nutritionally. And those stats don't include the fries it's served with. Those greasy spuds will bring your lunch plate's tally to 1,504 calories and 84g fat (ahhh!!!!). Instead, you can indulge in some steak for far fewer calories and fat grams. As for sides, go for steamed veggies (without the butter) and one of Ruby T's baked potatoes with salsa (those suckers are huge--so stick to half, and pack up the rest).

For more shockers and swaps, plus guilt-free recipes, food finds, fun food news, and more, visit hungry-girl.com and sign up for free daily emails!!!

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53 Comments

1. Posted by Yolie on Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 1:57 pm PST

Wow I am learning to count calories, who would of thought, thanks. Yolie
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2. Posted by mopearl62 on Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 2:55 pm PST

Ugh! I always thought it was a healthy choice to have tuna from Subway! It's roast beef from now on!
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3. Posted by peck5258 on Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 2:59 pm PST

WOW- I am totally amazed at the Turkey Burger at Ruby Tuesday. I will have to tell my friend about that, she loves turkey burgers and loves Ruby Tuesday. Thanks HG!!
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4. Posted by ehnotsomuch42 on Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 3:22 pm PST

Good to know, thanks!
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5. Posted by musicroxmysox2009 on Thu, Feb 14, 2008, 7:25 am PST

Can you even cook? It sure doesn't sound like that as your articles never discuss the fabulous wonders of making your own food, or packing your own lunch. Not only is it a time- saver, but then you are really sure of what your are actually eating.
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6. Posted by butterfly on Thu, Feb 14, 2008, 9:02 am PST

Wow... And I have been eating those tuna sandwiches like they were the healthiest thing in the world.
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7. Posted by kristieleepuffen on Thu, Feb 14, 2008, 10:31 am PST

When you consider you should take in 500 calories for a normal lunch then I don't see why the "food shockers" are much of a concern. Although I have to admit the turkey burger is a bit too much unless its the only thing you will eat all day.
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8. Posted by MindyLCK on Thu, Feb 14, 2008, 8:34 pm PST

musicroxmysox2009, HG is always sending out e-mails with great recipes - I have loads of them saved.
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9. Posted by Buzzy on Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 12:15 pm PST

I hate all of these chains that seem to be owned by the same disgusting, talentless company. If you are going to eat out (I know I am) would it not make more sense to spend your hard earned money on someplace that is fresh and original? I for one would rather go with you to a diner or a mom and pop style establishment, than to have any of these above listed, foul offerings, low fat or not!
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10. Posted by Cara W on Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 7:48 pm PST

OMG!!! THE TURKEY BURGER FACT ALONE DID IT FOR ME!! THANKS FOR THE INFO!!
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11. Posted by jackielee_a on Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 3:30 pm PST

What are some things that we can make at home without feeling guilty about cooking them with vegtable oil or butter?
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12. Posted by drkinki45 on Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 4:37 pm PST

nice to be whit this famaly
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13. Posted by Sarah K on Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 5:19 pm PST

wow i love turkey burgers too. Good thing i never eat tuna. Don't worry hungry girl i don't know how to cook either. Question how can you cut those four to eight serving meals to one person.
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14. Posted by Misty B on Sun, Feb 17, 2008, 8:26 pm PST

You can totally end up porking out and eating way too many calories when you go out to eat. I like these little articles that inform us of just how much fat is in fast-food!
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15. Posted by lalala.rachel on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:37 pm PST

wow those surprised mee
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16. Posted by AsweetAngel on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:40 pm PST

Very good info - people dont realize that what SOUNDS healthy, isnt always so - hungry girl has tons of recipes and tips on her website - obviously all of that cant be shared here - this article was meant to target "FAST FOOD" - not pack your lunch or cook... the emails are nice and the site is laid out really well to help you live/eat healthier... to the other posters - don't be so critical and check out the site already!!!!
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17. Posted by Sparkle on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:44 pm PST

wow, very helpful, all are my favorite places to eat
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18. Posted by bummy1813 on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:44 pm PST

When trying to give up bread where is the best place for a low calorie lunch?
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19. Posted by johnburns617 on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:46 pm PST

Go to Heinemann's restaurants in Milwaukee. Their Turkey Burger contains 5 gm of fat!
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20. Posted by chanc m on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:46 pm PST

Well it seems what sounds healthy, is not always the case huh...cool info
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21. Posted by Amy on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:47 pm PST

Crap!!! I always order the Turkey Burger from there!!!
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22. Posted by tl_sampson on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:56 pm PST

what the bella is on the turkey burger?
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23. Posted by kwalsh554 on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 2:00 pm PST

Oh the tuna thing. I used to work part time at a Quiznos, and people would get tuna all the time thinking it was the healthy thing to do, but when we make it, it gets at least half a BOTTLE of mayo mixed in with it. It's no nasty. As for the Turkey Burger from Ruby Tuesdays, I wouldn't say "never". Sure it's not good for you, but its only going to hurt you if your eating stuff like that all the time.
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24. Posted by bill b on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 2:09 pm PST

Less fat equals less taste If people would quit being lazy and exercise they could eat all the good stuff and leave all the low fat no taste crap for porky.
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25. Posted by acdz on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 2:14 pm PST

Oh crap...why don't they just publish the dang-nab-it calorie/fat intake. I'm so tired of off all the blind choices.
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26. Posted by MelllieMel on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 2:16 pm PST

I know... I will just eat cabbage and turnips... LOL
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27. Posted by Jennnnaayy on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 2:26 pm PST

I'm still amazed that anyone would think tuna is healthy when it's drenched in mayo! Subway has fat counts posted, but so far only for the healthy subs (fresh fit options). There is a law being passed that all restaurants, including fast food, will soon need to include calorie and fat counts on their menus. Great article, I wouldn't have guessed the difference between the turkey burger vs top sirloin!
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28. Posted by mako_sil80 on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 2:27 pm PST

It really pays to look at the nutrition poster thingy, and you can even ask for it before you order so that you know what your eating. And a little commonsense goes a long way. I never order the tuna because 1) I don't know how long its been there and 2) I know they don't use low fat or fat free dressing to make it.
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29. Posted by fee on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 2:30 pm PST

i actually get the wendy's fish sandwich without the tarter sauce or cheese and it takes it down to 340 calories and 10g of fat and its still very good.
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30. Posted by zaczoul on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 2:33 pm PST

Wow! i'm retarded.
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