How Many Calories Does That Have?

Is this the first thought in your mind when you go into a restaurant, "How many calories does that have?" It’s what we all think when we see these lovely dishes put in front of us. A little home work will give us the information we need to stick to our diet. And some of the calorie numbers will completely surprise you.

Are you totally flummoxed when you go out to eat. Do you wonder? Just how many calories does that have? If that’s your question you are not alone. Some items we think are lower in calories are actually much higher than we would choose if we only knew. Some restaurants are now listing nutrition on their website and menus but more often it’s a guessing game. With a little knowledge you can be aware. Below are some of the best and worst food choices.

Pizza Hut: Best, 2 slices Thin and Crispy Pepperoni and Mushroom = 380 calories, 14 g fat

Pizza Hut: Worst, 2 slices 14″ Stuffed Crust Meat Lover’s Pizza = 960 calories, 67 g fat

Subway: Best, 6″ turkey sub on 9 grain wheat bread =280 calories, 5 g fat

Subway: Worst, 6″ tuna sub on 9 grain wheat bread = 530 calorie, 31 g fat

Ruby Tuesday: Best, Chicken Bella = 372 calories, 15 g fat

Ruby Tuesday: Worst, Parmesan Chicken Pasta = 1,318 calories, 70 g fat



McDonald’s: Best, Hamburger w/small french fries = 480 calories, 23 g fat

McDonald’s: Worst, Double Quarter Pounder w/cheese and large french fries = 1,240 calories, 67 g fat

Chipotle: Best, Chicken Salad bowl w/black beans, guacamole and tomato salsa = 490 calories, 21 g fat

Chipotle: Worst, Chicken Burrito w/guacamole, sour cream rice and cheese = 980 calories, 50 g fat

Wendy’s: Best, Mandarin Chicken salad/w Oriental Sesame dressing and roasted almonds = 480 calories, 23 g fat

Wendy’s: Worst, Chicken BLT Salad w/garlic croutons and Honey Dijon dressing = 790 calories, 54 g fat

At an Italian restaurant, try a tricolore salad, insalata mista or minestrone soup to start, baked, broiled or grilled fish or chicken entree.

At a diner, have an egg white omelet with spinach, tomatoes and feta (or turkey) with whole wheat toast or open face with half the bun, veggie or turkey burger with cheddar, fruit salad or side salad with vinaigrette.

At a pizzeria, have 1 or 2 pieces of thin crust pizza piled with veggie toppings and a salad on the side.

At an Indian restaurant, order Tandoori chicken or shrimp with raita yogurt sauce and whole wheat roti bread.

At a Chinese restaurant, order egg drop or wonton soup to start, anything steamed with sauce on the side (shrimp, veggies or chicken with broccoli and garlic) and brown rice.

At a Mexican restaurant, have Fajitas (steak, chicken shrimp, veggie) with 1-2 tortillas and a dab of sour cream or grilled fish and soft tacos with salsa.