Chain Restaurant Challenge: Test Your Calorie IQ

Posted Tue, Jun 03, 2008, 11:43 am PDT

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Hungry Girl wants to know: Can you tell a diet-friendly dish from a calorie catastrophe? Find out NOW...

Lunch on the Go:

Subway Prime Rib 6-Inch Sub (with Cheese)
or
Arby's Market Fresh Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich?

One of these sandwiches has over 750 calories and nearly 40g fat, while the other has 400 calories and only 12g fat. Think you know which is which? Believe it or not, the cheese-topped prime rib sub from Subway has the lower stats, and the market fresh sandwich from Arby's is the one clocking in with nearly twice the calories and all that fat! Yowza. FYI, it's the toasted pecans and heaps of mayo that do this chicken salad sandwich in.

Sit-Down Salad:

Chili's Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken
or
Steak 'n Shake's Fried Chicken Salad?

Okay... The one with grilled chicken has to be better than the fried chicken one, right? Wrong-O! Chili's doesn't skimp on that fatty Caesar dressing -- their salad contains over 1,000 calories and 76g fat. The Fried Chicken Salad from S 'n S actually has around half the calories and fat (524 calories and 38g fat to be exact). The fried chicken salad's dressing also comes on the side, so you can easily select a low-cal option and use it sparingly. But truth be told, you're better off skipping 'em both and opting for the Apple Walnut Grilled Chicken Salad at Steak 'n Shake (337 calories and 10g fat, served with fat-free raspberry vinaigrette) or getting something off the Guiltless Grill menu at Chili's.

On the Side at Macaroni Grill:

A Cup of Italian Wedding Soup (with Meatballs and Cheese) or
A Side Order of Sauteed Broccoli?

No-brainer, isn't it? Meatball soup versus a side of veggies... the veggies must be the guilt-free option! Sadly, it isn't so. Those broccoli trees are swimming in oil -- the side order contains 260 calories and 22g fat! The broth-based soup, on the other hand, has only 190 calories and half the fat. But for a truly guilt-free side dish at Mac Grill, go for a side order of grilled asparagus. That clocks in with just 30 calories and 1g fat. We'll take two, please!

Dining-Out Dessert:

Ruby Tuesday Strawberries and Ice Cream
or
Applebee's Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake?

Everyone knows that regular ice cream is full of fat and calories, but even we would guess a rich, multi-layer chocolate cake is worse than a dessert that's half fruit. Well, prepare to be shocked, people. That strawberries and ice cream dessert has more fat than any other sweet on Ruby's menu -- 50 grams of fat (not to mention more than 900 calories)!!! The Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake from Applebee's is a serious find, with only 230 calories and 3g fat. But don't expect such slim stats from just any slice of chocolate cake. That one's part of Applebee's Weight Watchers menu. Nice work, 'Bees!

Hungry for More?

Check out Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World. The book's a New York Times Best Seller, and it's packed with 165 recipes, fun food comparison charts, restaurant tips and tricks, and so much more!

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81 Comments

1. Posted by plainjaneno on Wed, Jun 04, 2008, 10:26 am PDT

OMG, the Hungry Girl book is the best ever! I never cook but her recipes are fun, funny, easy, and awesome! Bought mine at Borders. The website ROCKS too!
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2. Posted by mom2acat on Wed, Jun 04, 2008, 1:40 pm PDT

I have the Hungry Girl cook book too, I love it! I've already used it more than other cookbooks I've had for years.
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3. Posted by hydeandgogackt on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 10:16 am PDT

i guessed all those right, but if u dont want to have to worry about all the calories just dont eat out. all of that food is crap anyway.
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4. Posted by Monica B on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 10:30 am PDT

900 calories...JEEZE
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5. Posted by drill4ever@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 10:31 am PDT

if you are thinking about calories you are probably trying to lose weight and shouldnt' be eating any of that anyway, and just ask for the salad dressing on the side, NEVER GET FRIED
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6. Posted by Colie on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 10:41 am PDT

if you are trying to lose weight why would you even go to resturants???
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7. Posted by Colie on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 10:41 am PDT

if you are trying to lose weight why would you even go to resturants???
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8. Posted by Justanotherbill on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 10:56 am PDT

Colie is right. Cook at home save the money and the calories & fats.
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9. Posted by fizzytoxicacid on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 11:12 am PDT

If you eat the correct kinds of fat, they do not harm you. There is NO evidence to back up that high cholesterol/or fat in your system causes heart problems. In fact too low can cause mental/Alzheimers. Google the Framington Study, which is the study that all this nonsense is based on. Carbohydrates on the other hand DO cause harm. Its time the public stopped taking all this drug company rubbish to heart and got a little educated on what is really going on out there.
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10. Posted by kimmydd@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 11:13 am PDT

Why do people go out to eat when trying to loose weight? Because they have a life and friends too!
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11. Posted by Darkhorse on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 11:40 am PDT

Baskin Robins has a shake-deal that has 2300 calories in it
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12. Posted by mackee coy on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 11:48 am PDT

Folks- PLEASE! It's LOSE weight - - not LOOSE weight. Learn how to spell! Forget the dieting!
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13. Posted by bobmac on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 12:02 pm PDT

fizzytoxicacid, i think you meant the framingham study. the framington study is about osteoarthritis.
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14. Posted by brebre624@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 12:21 pm PDT

I think this just infomrs you about stuff you don't even need to know about its helpful at times
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15. Posted by hlfurby on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 1:02 pm PDT

This is goofy, though, as the PORTIONS are off in this comparison. The cup of soup and the cake at Applebees are VERY SMALL - which is all we need, but still, can't compare it to a HUGE portion of veggies and a GIANORMOUS portion of ice cream. Apples to apples!
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16. Posted by sl.evans@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 1:06 pm PDT

Have a nice weekend.
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17. Posted by justheidi58 on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 1:28 pm PDT

Not everyone watching their calories is trying to lose weight. Some are just trying to hold their own.
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18. Posted by disneychic812@att.net on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 1:29 pm PDT

HELLO PEOPLE OF THE WORLD ON YAHOO/AT&T. I COME IN PEACE!
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19. Posted by Amy on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 1:38 pm PDT

What you eat isn't all about calories. The broccoli may have been more calorie-laden then the soup, but (depending on the type of oil used) may have many more nutrients. However, -- I do agree that all of this food is crap and people should eat fresh, unprocessed food and for the most part, cook it yourself.
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20. Posted by robomel3 on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 1:45 pm PDT

You CAN loose weight AND eat out!! You just have to choose wisely. Applebee's and Chick -Fil-A are my 2 favorites.
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21. Posted by M J on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 1:49 pm PDT

Given that the quiz didn't offer the list of ingredients for each item it is difficult to say without that information. With most orders you can select what you want and don't want to be added to your dish. Also for some reason the majority seem to associate the term 'diet' only with the emphasis on weight loss. Really it is more along the lines of monitoring one's intake and quality of food. I prefer more calories but from higher quality sources. Cheers
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22. Posted by dannyboy_v_1974 on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 1:50 pm PDT

meh. the deeper fried, the more calorie ridden, the faster it clogs the arteries, the better : ) get off your butts and put a little physical activity in your life and workout, then you can enjoy some of the " not so healthy " food we all like. if all you do is eat the above and can't run a mile in less then 15 minutes then you need to make some chages but with a healthy daily workout you should easily be able to enjoy any of the foods mentioned in that aricle.
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23. Posted by justheidi58 on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 1:54 pm PDT

Here, here! to M J and Amy. It is more about quality, however, portion control is also important. In our "supersize" society we really need to remember what a portion really is.
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24. Posted by gronnie2 on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 2:01 pm PDT

Unless you prepare it yourself you never know whats in it!!
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25. Posted by make a wish on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 2:08 pm PDT

WOW thanks for da advice... wow
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26. Posted by KENNETH P on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 2:12 pm PDT

all those sweets are not good for ANY diabetic! the "complex" carbs, as apposed to the "simple" carbs, are good for all. Eating small portions when dining out is the total key ! stay clear of "baked potatoes", heavy cheeses, creams, fried foods, and the 'simple carbs" such as, cakes, pies, ice cream, candy, etc. these are the "destructive" carbs for any diabetic & or normal metablism persons. When eating out, it is time to take off the gloves, if only like 2 times a month, this will not affect anyone !!.. Have fun and eat what you know is good and good for you.............taking off weight is NOT EASY!...:-)
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27. Posted by T on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 2:21 pm PDT

So what if the broccoli has oil on it? Depends on the type. Your body can handle oil and needs some it. Running away from all types of fats is ludicrous. I often roll my eyes at "light" yogurt. Regular yogurt only has 2% daily value fat anyway. Relax people.
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28. Posted by Linda on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 3:39 pm PDT

Eat Less, Move More. Simply put.
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29. Posted by cljones792@att.net on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 4:22 pm PDT

doodoodoodoodoodoodoodoodoodoodoodoodoodoodoodoodoodoo
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30. Posted by Shannon H on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 5:35 pm PDT

Stay home, cook your own food, then go for a walk.
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