Red Robin... Burgers, Salads and Fun Beverages

Hi IsaFriends,

I just love Red Robin. I had a great lunch with a friend there last week. Not only is the food good, but they have the most fun meal calculator I've seen. The Customizer...complete with sound effects. The Red Robin Customizer

Here are some options you can enjoy and stay under 600 calories.

Burgers

Lettuce-Wrap Your Burger… 422 cal

    add a Side salad w/ Asian dressing… 550 cal

    add a Side salad w/ Balsamic Vinagrette dressing… 580 cal

Grilled Turkey Burger – switch the Chipotle with BBQ Sauce… 531 cal

Vegan Boca Burger - keep the Country Dijon Sauce… 546 cal

Garden Burger… 561 cal.

Here’s a surprise, at least to me…

Grilled Salmon Sandwich…855 ouch

   Hold the Country Dijon Sauce and you’re OK… 471 cal

   Maybe add the Pesto Aioli… 560 cal

Salads

Apple Harvest Chicken Salad – hold the Blue Cheese and skip the Focaccia Bread… 537 cal

Asian Chicken Salad… 458 cal

Simply Grilled Chicken Salad - skip the Focaccia Bread… here are some dressing options:

   Asian Dressing (3 oz)… 516 cal

   Lite Ranch… 537 cal

   Balsamic Vinagrette (3 oz)… 561 cal

   Baja Ranch… 580 cal

Mighty Caesar Salad - skip the Focaccia Bread… 463 cal

Mighty Caesar Salad with Chicken - skip the Focaccia Bread, hold the croutons… 555 cal

Mighty Caesar Salad with Blackened Chicken - skip the Focaccia Bread, hold the croutons… 555 cal

Beverages

Red Robin has some yummy drink options you shouldn’t pass up…

Under 10 cal Raspberry Ice Tea… 3 cal

Under 10 cal Raspberry Lemonade… 7 cal

Under 10 cal Peach Ice Tea… 3 cal

Under 10 cal Peach Lemonade… 7 cal

Minute Maid Lemonade Light… 7 cal

Freckled Lemonade Light… 68 cal

So go enjoy… Reeeeed Ro-bin!

Arby's - Roast Beef & a Shake is a Yes!

Hi IsaFriends,

Arby’s always has those great coupons… but what can we eat and stay in the 400-600 calorie range? Can you believe a sandwich and a salad, potato cakes …or even a “value” shake.

Arby’s has a great “Nutrition Calculator” that’s really easy to use and breaks down the ingredients if you want to save a few calories here and there.

Here’s what I found:

Sandwich & Shake (value menu)

Jr. Turkey Ranch (220 cal), Vanilla Shake, value (290 cal) – 510 cal

Jr. Roast Beef (200 cal), Jamocha Shake, value (350 cal) – 550 cal

Jr. Ham & Cheese Melt (210 cal), Chocolate Shake, value (350 cal) – 560 cal

Sandwich & Salad

Jr. Deluxe (260 cal), Chopped Side Salad w/ Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing (200 cal) – 460 cal

Prime Cut Chicken Tenders (360 cal), Chopped Side Salad w/ Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing (200 cal) – 560 cal

French Dip & Swiss (500 cal), Chopped Side Salad (70 cal) – 570 cal (bring dressing)

Chicken Sandwich – Roast (400 cal), Chopped Side Salad (70 cal) – 470 cal (bring dressing)

Sandwich & Potato Cakes

Jr. Turkey Ranch (220 cal), Potato Cakes, 2 pc (260 cal) – 480 cal

Jr. Chicken Sandwich (340 cal), Potato Cakes, 2 pc (260 cal) – 590 cal

Regular Roast Beef (340 cal), Potato Cakes, 2 pc (260 cal) – 600 cal

Salads

Chopped Farmhouse Salad – Turkey & Ham w/ Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing – 380*

Chopped Farmhouse Chicken Salad, Roasted w/ Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing – 380*

* You’ll need to add something to make this your meal. Maybe split an order of potato cakes with a friend (130 cal)

Want to try more combos? Go to: http://www.arbys.com/nutrition

I wouldn’t make Arby’s shakes or potato cakes a staple in your meal planning, but for a treat… why not?

Applebee's - New Menu Items for 2011

Hi IsaFriends,

Applebee's has introduced some new "Under 550" and "Weight Watcher" menu items for 2011. The Signature Sirloin with Garlic Herb Shrimp (pictured below) was fantastic. Post a comment and let me know what you've tried.

Signature Sirloin with Garlic Herb Shrimp - 500 cal.
Teriyaki Shrimp Pasta - 460 cal.

Weight Watchers® Spicy Pineapple Glazed Shrimp & Spinach - 310 cal.
Weight Watchers® Steak & Potato Salad - 380 cal.
Weight Watchers® Chipotle Lime Chicken  - 500 cal.

Applebee's continues to offer these great selections:
Grilled Shrimp & Island Rice - 360 cal.
Asiago Peppercorn Steak w/sides - 390 cal.
Grilled Dijon Chicken & Portobellos 450 cal.
Grilled Dijon Chicken & Portobellos - 450 cal.Teriyaki Chicken Pasta - 470 cal.

Weight Watchers® Cajun Lime Tilapia - 310 cal.
Weight Watchers® Paradise Chicken Salad - 340 cal.

Here's one more of interest:
Sizzling Chicken with Spicy Queso Blanco w/ sides - 570 cal.

Wendy's ... Salads and other options

Hi IsaFriends,

You can enjoy lots of different meals at Wendy's® that fit within the 400-600 calorie range.

Here are some suggested meals from Wendy's website. They state each is under 510 calories and contains under 10 grams of fat when served with a diet soft drink:

• Ultimate Chicken Grill with a Side Salad and fat-free French.
• Junior Hamburger Deluxe (no mayo) with a Side Salad & FF dressing
• Large Chili with a Side Salad and fat-free dressing
• Plain Baked Potato and a small Chili

Here are some other menu items that caught my eye:

Apple Pecan Chicken Salad - Grilled Chicken on Iceberg, Romaine and Spring Mix with Blue Cheese Crumbles, Dried Cranberries and Apple Chunks. Add Pomegranate Vinaigrette Dressing (2 packets)...580 cal.
Additional dressing options available at select locations:
Fat Free French Dressing (2 packets)...530 cal.
Light Classic Ranch Dressing (2 packets)...560 cal.
Italian Vinaigrette Dressing (2 packets) ...600 cal.

BLT Cobb Salad  Grilled Chicken on Iceberg, Romaine and Spring Mix with Chopped Eggs, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Blue Cheese Crumbles and Tomatoes. Add Pomegranate Vinaigrette Dressing (2 packets)...580 cal.
Additional dressing options available at select locations:
Fat Free French Dressing (2 packets)...540 cal.
Light Classic Ranch Dressing (2 packets)...560 cal.
Italian Vinaigrette Dressing (2 packets) ...600 cal.

A couple smart choices and you can enjoy the Lemon Garlic Caesar Dressing ...
Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad - Order with "Grilled Chicken" instead of Spicy Chicken and skip the croutons. Now you have Grilled Chicken on Romaine lettuce, Asiago Cheese, Grape Tomatoes.  Lemon Garlic Caesar Dressing (2 packets) ... 560 cal.

Here's another idea... how about trading in Caesar for a Spicy Italian ...
Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad - Skip the croutons and go with Italian Vinaigrette Dressing (available at select locations). Now you have Spicy Chicken on Romaine lettuce, Asiago Cheese, Grape Tomatoes.  Italian Vinaigrette Dressing (2 packets) ...590 cal.
There are some other "Spicy" options (certain dressings only available at select locations):
Spicy French - Fat Free French Dressing (2 packets)...530 cal.
Spicy Ranch - Light Classic Ranch Dressing (2 packets)...550 cal.
Spicy Pomegranate  - Pomegranate Vinaigrette Dressing (2 packets)...570 cal.

The Baja Salad looks yummy, but with the chili and guacmole you'll need to go with the Half Size option:
Baja Salad Half-Size - Iceberg, Romaine and Spring Mix, Pico de Gallo, Wendy's Chili, Guacamole, Cheddar & Pepper Jack Cheese Blend with Creamy Red Jalapeño Dressing ...470 cal.

Now for some burger options... 
1/4 lb. Single and a Garden Side Salad - no cheese on the burger, no coutons, with Pomegranate Vinaigrette Dressing (1 packet) ...550 cal.
Additional dressing options (some only available at select locations*):
Fat Free French Dressing* (1 packets)...530 cal.
Light Classic Ranch Dressing* (1 packets)...540 cal.
Ancho Chipotle Ranch Dressing (1 packets)...580 cal
Creamy Red Jalapeño Dressing (1 packets)...600 cal.
Avocado Ranch Dressing  (1 packets)...600 cal.
Classic Ranch Dressing  (1 packets)...600 cal

Want a cheese burger... hold the Mayo
1/4 lb. Single and a Garden Side Salad - add 1 slice of chese, no mayo, no coutons, with Pomegranate Vinaigrette Dressing (1 packet) ...580 cal.
Additional dressing options (some only available at select locations*):
Fat Free French Dressing* (1 packets)...500 cal.
Light Classic Ranch Dressing* (1 packets)...510 cal.
Ancho Chipotle Ranch Dressing (1 packets)...550 cal
Creamy Red Jalapeño Dressing (1 packets)...570 cal.
Avocado Ranch Dressing  (1 packets)...570 cal.
Classic Ranch Dressing  (1 packets)...570 cal

Wendy's has a great meal calculator... check it out:
Wendy's Nutrition Page

The Drive-Thru - Breakfast on the Road

Hi IsaFriends,

OK, I'll admit it. I love to hit the drive-thru for breakfast at the start of a road trip. Can we do it and stay on plan? Yes! Here's where and what you can choose...

McDonald’s

Egg McMuffin, Hash Browns – 450 cal

Sausage Burrito, Hash Browns – 450 cal

Sausage McMuffin, Hash Browns – 520 cal

Bacon, Egg and Cheese McGriddle, Hash Browns – 560 cal

Burger King

Sausage Biscuit, Fresh Apple Fries – 490 cal

Mini Blueberry Biscuits, Orange Juice – 530 cal

Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich®, Hash Brown – 570 cal

BK® Breakfast Muffin Sandwich (no egg), Hash Brown – 600 cal

Jack In The Box 

Breakfast Jack, Hash Brown Sticks – 567 cal

Bacon Breakfast Jack, Hash Brown Sticks – 600 cal

Arby’s

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissant, Potato Cake (1/2 order = 1) – 510 cal

Ham & Cheese Croissant, Potato Cakes (2 pc order) – 530 cal

Ham, Egg & Cheese Sourdough, Potato Cake (1/2 order = 1) – 560 cal

All this Fast Food restaurants have some kind of Build a Meal on their sites. Some even allow you to easily add and subtract things like cheese, bacon, etc. If you want to sit down, there are more choices like oatmeal, yogurt, hotcakes and platters.

Don’t make it a habit… but how often do you go on a road trip?

Carino's ... for my Italian loving friends

Hi Isa Friends,

I love going to lunch at Carino’s with the girls. I usually have the Minestrone soup and a Green salad with a refill on the salad. I just love their Sun-Dried Tomato Balsamic Vinaigrette. I knew I was in the 400-600 calorie range as I’d looked it up before we went the first time. I was thinking... I bet there are lots of other things I can eat. There sure are including a number of options with dessert.

Appetizers

Baked Stuffed Mushrooms – 463 cal

Pizza

The Classic Pizza Margherita – 481 cal         

 

Soups or Salads + Dessert

Caesar Side Salad, Mini Tiramisu – 557 cal

Caesar Side Salad, Mini Cheesecake w/ Amerena Cherrie – 492 cal

           

Soups / Salads

Shrimp & Artichoke Caesar – 521 cal

Soup & Salad - Minestrone, Caesar – 423 cal

Soup & Salad - Italian Chili, House salad – 417 cal

Soup & Salad w/ refill

Minestrone Soup (2), House – 489 cal

Minestrone Soup (2), Caesar – 582 cal

Minestrone Soup, House (2) – 501 cal

Italian Chili Soup. House (2) – 588 cal

Soup & Salad + Dessert

Soup & Salad - Minestrone, Caesar; Mini Chocolate Cake – 564 cal

Soup & Salad - Italian Chili, House salad; Mini Chocolate Cake – 558 cal

Soup & Salad - Minestrone, House salad; Mini Chocolate Cake – 471 cal

Lunch Entrees         

Create Your Own Pasta, Alfredo – 506 cal

Create Your Own Pasta, Italian Sausage – 577 cal

Angel Hair with Artichokes – 457 cal

Angel Hair with Artichokes w/ Chicken – 578 cal

           

Lunch Entrees w/ Side Salad

Create Your Own Pasta, Spicy Marinara; House Salad – 526 cal

Create Your Own Pasta, Meat Sauce; House Salad – 555 cal

Lunch Entrees + Dessert

Angel Hair with Artichokes; Mini Chocolate Cake – 598 cal

Create Your Own Pasta, Spicy Marinara; Mini Cheesecake w/ Amerena Cherries – 583 cal

           

Dinner Entrees

Create Your Own Pasta, Marinara Sauce – 532 cal

Create Your Own Pasta, Meat Sauce – 575 cal

Wine

If you enjoy a glass of wine with your Italian food, many of the above combos leave room ... 5 oz of Red is 105-127 calories.

If you want all the details go to: www.carinos.com  

As you can see, the dinner menu really limits your options… what a great excuse to go out for lunch!

Papa Murphy's...Pizza for the Big Game

Hi IsaFriends,

Play Offs, Bowl Games, National Title and Super Bowl all mean just two things... Football and Pizza. Papa Murphy's deLITE Thin Crust Pizzas allow you to enjoy your favorite gametime slice and stick to your 400-600 meal plan.

deLITE Thin Crust Pizzas
Large Size
1 Serving = 1 Slice = 1/10th of the Pizza
	Cal / pc		# Pc		Pizza	Salad	Total
All Meat	190	x	2	=	380	50	430
Barbeque Chicken	180	x	3	=	540	50	590
Cheese	140	x	3	=	420	50	470
Chicken Bacon Artichoke	180	x	3	=	540	50	590
Cowboy	190	x	2	=	380	50	430
Forty-Niner	240	x	2	=	480	50	530
Gourmet Chicken Garlic	170	x	3	=	510	50	560
Gourmet Classic Italian	190	x	2	=	380	50	430
Gourmet Supreme	160	x	3	=	480	50	530
Gourmet Vegetarian	160	x	3	=	480	50	530
Hawaiian	160	x	3	=	480	50	530
Herb Chicken Mediterranean	180	x	3	=	540	50	590
Meat	190	x	2	=	380	50	430
Murphy’s Combo	200	x	2	=	400	50	450
Papa’s Favorite	200	x	2	=	400	50	450
Pepperoni	170	x	3	=	510	50	560
Rancher	180	x	3	=	540	50	590
Specialty of the House	180	x	3	=	540	50	590
Taco Grande	180	x	3	=	540	50	590
Vegetarian Combo	160	x	3	=	480	50	530
Veggie	160	x	3	=	480	50	530
Veggie Mediterranean	170	x	3	=	510	50	560

If you saved a few calories, here are some beer choices:

Light Beer		12 oz.
Amstel Light		95
Beck's Premier Light		64
Bud Ice Light		110
Bud Light		110
Budweiser Select		99
Budweiser Select 55		55
Coors Light		110
Michelob Ultra		95
Miller Genuine Draft Light		110
Miller Genuine Draft Light 64		64
Miller Light		96
Molson Ultra		97
Natural Light		95
Samuel Adams Light		110
Non Alchoholic Beer
Coors Non-Alcoholic		65
O'Doul's		70
Sharps		58

For tons more beer options check out: http://www.beertutor.com/beers/index.php?t=lowest_cal

Hope your team has a great game!