AMERICA'S BEST AND WORST RESTAURANTS
Breakfast Diner
Best: Bob Evans
Even though the breakfast at Bob Evans is fattier and brinier than anything you'd make at home, it still beats out the other chains. Take Denny's, for instance: Thanks to calorically careless cooking methods, a single scrambled egg packs in 120 calories and 10 grams of fat. At Bob's, a scrambled egg has only 84 calories and 5 grams of fat. But to net a decent meal, you still need strategy, and it goes like this: Forget the premade burritos, the greasy sausage scrambles, and the stuffed French toast. Instead, construct your own healthy meal from basic breakfast elements.
Top Pick
2 Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, and Fruit Dish
390 calories
16 g fat
1163 mg sodium
Choose eggs for belly-filling protein, and always pair them with a side of fruit. Have home fries instead of hash browns and you'll save 161 calories, 2 grams of fat, and 414 milligrams of sodium. If you build a reasonable breakfast foundation, you can even afford to add on turkey sausage, bacon, or a parfait.
Worst: IHOP
Here's the short stack of IHOP foibles: Nearly every combo encourages you to order bacon or sausage, every regular order of pancakes comes crowned with a scoop of butter big enough to plug the mouth of an ice-cream cone, and nearly every omelet is packed with meat and cheese and often garnished with rich toppings like sour cream or hollandaise sauce. The fat assault is so severe that your omelet can contain as much as 82 grams of it—just 10 fewer than you'll find in a stick of butter. Just call it the International House of Pudge.
Survival Strategy
Turn to the "Simple & Fit" selections, which come in under 600 calories. Try the whole-wheat French toast topped with fresh banana—just take it easy with the syrup.
Even though the breakfast at Bob Evans is fattier and brinier than anything you'd make at home, it still beats out the other chains. Take Denny's, for instance: Thanks to calorically careless cooking methods, a single scrambled egg packs in 120 calories and 10 grams of fat. At Bob's, a scrambled egg has only 84 calories and 5 grams of fat. But to net a decent meal, you still need strategy, and it goes like this: Forget the premade burritos, the greasy sausage scrambles, and the stuffed French toast. Instead, construct your own healthy meal from basic breakfast elements.
Top Pick
2 Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, and Fruit Dish
390 calories
16 g fat
1163 mg sodium
Choose eggs for belly-filling protein, and always pair them with a side of fruit. Have home fries instead of hash browns and you'll save 161 calories, 2 grams of fat, and 414 milligrams of sodium. If you build a reasonable breakfast foundation, you can even afford to add on turkey sausage, bacon, or a parfait.
Worst: IHOP
Here's the short stack of IHOP foibles: Nearly every combo encourages you to order bacon or sausage, every regular order of pancakes comes crowned with a scoop of butter big enough to plug the mouth of an ice-cream cone, and nearly every omelet is packed with meat and cheese and often garnished with rich toppings like sour cream or hollandaise sauce. The fat assault is so severe that your omelet can contain as much as 82 grams of it—just 10 fewer than you'll find in a stick of butter. Just call it the International House of Pudge.
Survival Strategy
Turn to the "Simple & Fit" selections, which come in under 600 calories. Try the whole-wheat French toast topped with fresh banana—just take it easy with the syrup.
Mexican Chain
Best: Chipotle
Think of Chipotle as Subway for Mexican food. The chain's customizable approach puts you in charge of your meal, helping you avoid a surreptitious load of fat. What's more, the chain is a major supporter of conscientiously raised meat and dairy, including hormone-free pork.
Top Pick
Steak Burrito Bowl with Black Beans, Cheese, and Green Salsa
425 calories
16 g fat
980 mg sodium
For a robust, healthy dish with plenty of belly-filling protein and fiber, pick the Burrito Bowl instead of the regular burrito. You'll save nearly 300 calories just by skipping the tortilla.
Worst: On the Border
Grilled meat, beans, and salsa make for a healthy Mexican meal. That's why it's such a shame that On the Border tends to favor breaded fish, fried tortillas, and creamy sauces instead. Order the cheese and onion Tres Enchilada dinner, for instance, and you'll rack up about 1,600 calories. The dessert menu is just as bad. Pick one at random and odds are you'll net an additional 1,000 calories or more. Just say no mas.
Survival Strategy
Remember this formula: two soft tacos with a side of beans, vegetables, or both.
Think of Chipotle as Subway for Mexican food. The chain's customizable approach puts you in charge of your meal, helping you avoid a surreptitious load of fat. What's more, the chain is a major supporter of conscientiously raised meat and dairy, including hormone-free pork.
Top Pick
Steak Burrito Bowl with Black Beans, Cheese, and Green Salsa
425 calories
16 g fat
980 mg sodium
For a robust, healthy dish with plenty of belly-filling protein and fiber, pick the Burrito Bowl instead of the regular burrito. You'll save nearly 300 calories just by skipping the tortilla.
Worst: On the Border
Grilled meat, beans, and salsa make for a healthy Mexican meal. That's why it's such a shame that On the Border tends to favor breaded fish, fried tortillas, and creamy sauces instead. Order the cheese and onion Tres Enchilada dinner, for instance, and you'll rack up about 1,600 calories. The dessert menu is just as bad. Pick one at random and odds are you'll net an additional 1,000 calories or more. Just say no mas.
Survival Strategy
Remember this formula: two soft tacos with a side of beans, vegetables, or both.
Read more at Men's Health: http://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/best-and-worst-restaurants/page/4?cm_mmc=ETNTNL-_-878170-_-04222012-_-moreon1#ixzz1sq3rhRMD
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