What to eat and not to eat at Chipotle

If you are like me, you LOVE Mexican food.  One of my favorite things is a corn and black bean salad with cheese, gauc, and some sour cream all mixed together into one big happy family.

Chipotle's website is FABULOUS because it lets you customize your order based upon all their available options to find out and create a meal where you know exactly how many calories and nutrition you are getting from any of their meals.

It all adds up way too fast.  So it's best to be careful and do your homework.

But for lunch today, I am going to be getting a salad from there.  I am going to get it with black beans, sour cream, vinaigrette, and corn salsa.

Photo by http://www.chipotle.com/

What Not To Eat at Chipotle's

(1) Avoid adding chips

I know, I know, it's tempting.  But if you ask for chips, they alone will add a whopping 570 calories to your meal.  That is just way too much and not even worth the temptation.

Guacamole is one of my favorite foods, but it's really the chips that you can't afford.  If you want to ask just for salsa go ahead, it will only add on 20 calories to your meal, or for guacamole it will add on 170 calories.

(2) Avoid the carnitas

At 220 calories for 4oz, that will add quite the impact to your overall meal.

(3) Avoid adding rice

While they do offer both white and brown rice, it will add on 180/220 calories, respectively, to your meal.  That is a ton of calories.  If you are really wanting to add rice, as for a little bit of rice and hopefully slash this number in half.

What To Eat at Chipotle's

(1) Replace a meat/protein with beans.

With black beans and pinto beans to choose from, they are both less in calories (120/115 respectively) and less sodium then all the meat choices (cut in half).

If you want to add extra protein to your dish, ask for the Sofritas.   It's tofu but it is 145 calories for 4oz.
If you must have actual meat, then ask for Barbacoa which is shredded beef and is 165 calories for 4oz.

(2) Ask for a smaller portion

When you ask for something like sour cream, or really any ingredient, be sure to tell them you only want a little.  If you don't, they literally slather your meal with it and you would be having some lettuce with your sour cream instead of the other way around.  Hopefully this will help slash those calories in half.

(3) Order a salad or burrito bowl

If you follow my suggestions, both orders will end up about the same because you are skipping on the meat and rice.  However, the salad comes with a delicious vinaigrette that will add on 215 calories to your meal.  I happen to love it with the dressing, but I caution you to only use half of it to help counteract the calories.

Texas Roadhouse

Tonight my husband and I are going out for dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  I was going to do a "what not to eat" article like I had done for TGI Friday's and Miller's Ale House,   but I was sad when I found this on their website:

Thank you for contacting us regarding our nutritional information. At this time, we do not offer calorie counts and other nutritional information.
We can assure you that we are cognizant of the demand from guests such as yourself to provide this information, but there are several factors that make this difficult.
Many of the large foodservice companies that offer specific nutritional information can do so because their food is pre-packaged and/or pre-portioned. Since we make our food from scratch — including the bacon bits, croutons, and dressings — it is next to impossible to provide exact nutritional information because of slight variations that depend upon whomever prepares the food.
We also make our bread from scratch each day and hand-cut our steaks, so again, we do not have the exact information printed, like some foodservice operators or what you may find in the grocery store.
We have attempted to provide some information in the past, but we pulled back after some guests complained we were not detailed enough. In addition, some enterprising folks tested the food, and when it fell outside the guidelines, they threatened legal action. As such, we stopped providing our special gluten-free menu, for example.
In addition, many states, counties and cities across the nation are attempting to pass legislation providing restaurants with guidelines and rules for displaying nutritional information. As a result, our efforts are on hold until we know what information will be required, the ranges that will be allowed, and how that information should be distributed.
In the meantime, if you have any specific questions, we encourage you to contact us, and we'll answer them as quickly as we can.

So since it appears they are so happy for customers to contact them, I sent them the following email:

Good Morning Texas Roadhouse:
I realize from your website that you feel that you are unable to provide us, your customers, any nutritional information because what you serve us is made fresh.
If you use the same recipe for each order and the same portion size, even if you make it fresh, you should be able to at least give us an estimate.  I am disheartened by this news and will think twice about eating at your establishment because things such as calories and fat are important to me.
Since you have failed to provide this information, can you at least add either a symbol next to certain entrees on your menu or a new section of "lighter" options that are under 600 calories, etc?  This might be a good alternative for you if you are still unwilling to provide nutritional facts.
At the very least, could you recommend to me what you believe to be a healthy option for an entree on your menu?
Thank you,
Elly

If they ever actually respond, I will gladly update this posting.

 So, www.fatsecret.com has posted some nutritional facts for Texas Roadhouse, and I have no idea how they calculated these since it does not come from the source itself, but without further ado:

What not to eat at Texas Roadhouse

(1) Dallas Filet

6oz = 660 calories and 54 grams of fat; 8oz = 880 calories and 72 grams of fat

Description from Texas Roadhouse:

The filet is the most tender steak on our menu. It’s a delicious, lean steak that melts in your mouth. Choose from our 6 and 8 ounce cuts. Served with your choice of two sides.

The description I find to be hilarious, because FatSecret.com estimates that there is a whopping 54 grams of fat in the 6oz size and 72 grams of fat in the 8oz size.  And you call that a "lean steak"?

(2) Prime Rib

12oz - 1034 calories and 88 grams of fat

Description from Texas Roadhouse: 

Mouth watering prime rib slow cooked all day. Served with your choice of two sides. Please ask us about availability.

 This is one of my husband's favorites.  I always knew it was bad, but never thought it was *this* bad!  Over 1,000 calories and 88 grams of fat - delicious! (enter sarcasm here)

(3) Portobello Mushroom Chicken

487 calories 23 grams of fat

Description from Texas Roadhouse:

Marinated chicken breast grilled and topped with Portobello Mushroom sauce, jack cheese, and fresh parmesan

This one came as a surprise.  The calorie count is in the "average" range but 23 grams of fat for grilled chicken???  This is just for the chicken alone, without the 2 sides that you get as well.  I would say, don't be fooled with this one, kids.

What to eat at Texas Roadhouse

 (1) Oven Roasted Chicken

Chicken only - 275 calories and 7 grams of fat

Description from Texas Roadhouse:

A half chicken trimmed, uniquely seasoned, and slow-roasted to the perfect tenderness. Served with your choice of two sides.

The information I received from FatSecret.com labels this meal as "Oven Roasted Chicken Quarter" while on the Texas Roadhouse website it says it is a half a chicken.  I am not sure if the calories should be doubled or if there is just an error some where.  Either way, this sounds like the best thing to order at this place.  Don't forget to add the sides!

(2) House Salad

121 Calories and 5 grams of fat - plus dressing

There was no description on the website.

In order to have even less calories on this salad, I would recommend asking them to leave off the croutons and cheese, which are legendary calorie adders on a salad.  Be careful with your salad dressing choice.  Vinaigrettes are typically better as a choice than creamy dressings.

(3) Sirloin Kebob

Description from Texas Roadhouse:

Marinated steak with onion, mushroom, tomato, red pepper, and green pepper. Served on a bed of seasoned rice with your choice of one side.

I am unsure how many kebobs come on the entree, but according to FatSecret.com, each kebob is only 190 calories and 7 grams of fat.  I would say two would probably be a good serving.

But what about those biscuits? 

272 calories and 11 grams of fat

Now I would gladly give someone the shirt off my back for these biscuits that are served.  They are warm, light, and one of the best biscuits in the world.  They should be called "heaven biscuits."

I know I will never be able to go to this place without having at least 2.  I am literally planning the rest of my meals today around these biscuits (yes I am sad).

They are delicious in every way, but if you have the will power then avoid them!  If not, a little cheat here and there (as long as it's not every day!) is good for your mental state.  And we all know it's all about our mental state!

What to eat at Miller's Ale House

Miller's Boston Ale House

With my husband just finishing his classes for the semester, and with Christmas being next week, we thought it would be nice for him to come pick me up at my office and take me out to lunch!

I went to Miller's Ale House a week or two ago with my co-workers and I thought it was great in there.  The fat me was in heaven.

So today I go to look up their menu online, and as usual, am horrified.  Thankfully though like a guardian angel they have a "lighter fare" section for those that want to watch ourselves.  They have all other nutritional information posted online as well.

WHAT TO ORDER

(1) LIGHTER FARE POT-STICKERS

Lighter Fare Pot-stickers - 490 calories

Steamed Pork Dumplings on a bed of Cabbage. Served with a Tangy Plum Sauce.

Last time, I ordered the "Lighter Fare" Potstickers.  They were REALLY good, but face it, 6 pot-stickers isn't enough to satisfy anyone, let alone me.  However, they are a reasonable option for some.

The pdf nutritional menu does not offer more details on their lighter fare menu, so unfortunately all I can dig up is the calorie amount.

(2) BAHAMIAN MAHI MAHI

Lighter Fare Bahamian Mahi Mahi - 460 Calories

Mahi Mahi, Broccoli, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Red Potatoes, Lemon, Bell Peppers and Onions Marinated in Garlic Wine Sauce with a Hint of Tabasco® and Baked in a Foil Bag

This option looks the healthiest of the bunch since it includes fish, which is super healthy for you and mahi mahi is a nice type, along with all of the vegetables.

I am going to be ordering this along with a side of rice (which is 190 calories) for a total of 650 calories.  Usually I do not have so many calories for lunch, but this will probably be my "main" meal of the day and I will have a lighter than usual dinner.  But I also plan on hitting the gym again tonight so that will help!

(3) ORIENTAL CHICKEN

Teriyaki Marinated Boneless Breast of Chicken, Seared to Perfection and Topped with Fresh Pineapple. Served with a Choice of Potato and Cole Slaw

While I could not find a photo of this and also while it is not on their lighter fare, this dish has 450 calories plus whatever side you choose.  If you get this with broccoli, it will only set you back 510 calories.  Not bad!

WHAT NOT TO ORDER

(1) MILLER'S SEAFOOD LOBSTER CLAM BAKE

Miller's Seafood Lobster Clam Bake - 1900 calories

Snow Crab, Cold Water Lobster Tail, Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Redskin Potatoes and Corn on the Cob Cooked in Crab Boil & Old Bay. Served with a Taste of our Clam Chowder.

1900 calories!!!!!!! AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE A SIDE!!!!!!!!!  Once you see that astonishing number, this dish falls flat pretty quickly.  Not to mention the 84g of fat.

This one really threw me for a loop because everything is BROILED there is NOTHING fried and yet look at those calories and fat!! Imagined if it was fried!  I am fainting!

(2) ENGLISH STYLE FISH AND CHIPS

English Style Fish and Chips - 2090 calories

A Generous Portion of Flaky White Fish Fried Golden Brown. Served with Cole Slaw and French Fries.

This takes the cake.  This plate has 2090 calories and that is just the fish alone without the tartar sauce, fries or cole slaw.

(3) BROWNIE HOT FUDGE SUNDAE

Brownie Hot Fudge Sundae - 2700 calories

It is not surprise that a Brownie Hot Fudge Sundae on ANY menu is one to steer clear of - but still at 2700 calories and 101g of fat, it is quite impressively terrible for you.  I almost feel like restaurants that serve this stuff should be locked up.  

So many people have NO CLUE what they are eating.  Would you REALLY choose this if you KNEW it was 2700 calories?  Even if you are sharing it????

Once again, Miller's disappoints.  Many restaurants do.  BUT at least Miller's has some decent choices as well. 

You just have to be strong when you are ordering!