More hidden calories exposed

By CARY ASPINWALL World Scene Writer - 11/5/2009


More than just a dining guide, "Eat This, Not That!" is an eye-opening look at what Americans eat — and the calories hiding in our food.

Who would guess, for instance, that the prime rib is actually the healthiest entree option at Outback Steakhouse?

Or that salads at some popular restaurant chains could be worse than several slices of pizza?

The daily decisions we make about food add up, calorie-wise — which is why the "Eat This, Not That!" series has become so popular and has released a new 2010 edition.

The series aims to guide healthy eating choices for people who don't have time for elaborate, complicated diet plans. They show you what to eat — and to avoid — when dining out or shopping at the supermarket.

"It's really inspiring to see the impact that we're having," said Anna Maltby, a contributing editor of "Eat This, Not That!" and reporter for Men's Health magazine. "We had one guy (follow the plan) who was facing gastric bypass surgery who decided to give losing the weight on his own one more try — and he lost 100 pounds and avoided gastric bypass."

Another success of the series: Some restaurant chains are shaping up their act — and slimming down their menus. Out of 20 of the menu items named the "Worst Foods in America," 10 have been removed from restaurant menus.

Romano's Macaroni Grill previously had been lambasted by the "Eat This, Not That!" series for out-of-control portion sizes loaded with calories and fat. But the chain recently added several new healthy dining options to its menu, Maltby said.

And Red Lobster didn't provide its nutritional information in previous years — but the chain finally relented and earned an A-minus rating and the distinction of "America's Healthiest Chain Restaurant." Editors touted the variety of fresh fish dishes offered with light preparations —wood-grilled, blackened, broiled (just steer clear of the cheddar bay biscuits and Lobsterita).

But the right choices at some restaurants aren't always so obvious, Maltby said.

"Often, people are ordering healthy sounding salads and sandwiches that can be loaded with calories and saturated fat," she said. "I feel like everytime we looked at a different menu, there was always something we couldn't believe."

Such as: Ordering a half Asiago roast beef sandwich and black bean soup instead of a half Sierra turkey sandwich and half Greek salad for Panera's "You Pick Two Combo" will save you 360 calories and 42 grams of fat.

"We're all about healthy swaps. We just want people to know you don't have to starve or punish yourself to be healthy and lose weight," Maltby said. "The reason why so many people's diets fail is they're trying to deprive themselves."





Make the swap

DOMINO'S PIZZA

Eat this: Ham, mushroom, green pepper and onion pizza, thin crust (two slices) — 396 calories, 20 g fat, 820 mg sodium

Not that: Pepperoni pizza, hand-tossed crust (two slices) — 594 calories, 25g fat, 1,360 mg sodium

BURGER KING

Eat this: Whopper Jr. (without mayo) — 290 calories, 12 g fat, 500 mg sodium

Not that: BK Big Fish — 650 calories, 32 g fat, 1,540 mg sodium

ARBY'S

Eat this: Arby’s Melt — 298 calories, 12 g fat, 922 mg sodium

Not that: Market Fresh Roast Turkey and Swiss — 710 calories, 30 g fat, 1,680 mg sodium

P.F. CHANG'S

Eat this: Asian-marinated strip steak — 558 calories, 30 g fat, 864 mg sodium

Not that: Wok Charred Beef — 850 calories, 30 g fat, 10,045 mg sodium

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

Eat this: Prime Rib (8 ounces, with Jacket potato) — 730 calories (Outback refuses to provide full nutrition information for its menu)

Not that: Victoria’s Filet (9 ounces with sweet potato) — 1,330 calories



Cary Aspinwall 581-8477
cary.aspinwall@tulsaworld.com


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Tulsa World Reader Comments
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my view, Sand Springs (11/5/2009 11:06:43 AM)
I have no problem with places listing the calories on their menus. But I draw the line on people telling what I should or should not eat. I think it's best when people stay out of my business.



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