Oh So Tasty! Part 2

I have made some more discoveries in my grocery store!  

 Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies

Each brownie is only 90 calories and has 20% of your daily allowance of fiber.  

I have tried the chocolate fudge flavor and it tastes great!

Excellent replacement for my beloved Chik-fil-A fudge brownie that has 390 calories!

Pepperidge Farms Baked Naturals Cracker Chips

I am in love with these tasty little things and they go so well with sandwiches.

25 chips that are only 130 calories makes this a permanent grocery list item.

Florida's Natural Fruit Juice Nuggets

I love the real fruit flavor of these little snacks and they are only 50 calories a pack!

Comparatively: Sunkist fruit snacks are 90 cals and Welch's are 80 cals.

 

Something New: Week 5 Wrap-up

One more for the books!  Week 5 of the competition is ovah!  My final tally for this week is 1 more pound lost for a total of 7 lbs!  My short term goal was to lose at least one pound each week, so I am definitely on track.  I need to decide how I am going to reward myself :-)

Recap: 

• I made it through the first official grilling holiday by putting some delicious things on the barbie: shrimp, chicken kabobs, chicken wings, chicken sausage... do you get my drift?  I even had a couple of steaks that I divided into smaller portions to eat.  Remember, it's not about depriving yourself.  You just have to be mindful of portion sizes! 
• I am still drinking a steady six glasses of water a day.  I did notice that I can easily get those eight glasses if I drink more while I am working out, so that's my new plan.
• I have become the Queen of Healthy Snacks!  I only have about two snacks a day, so the amount of things in my pantry has made me swear off shopping for anything else for the next couple of months!
• The workouts are FINALLY starting to become a habit for me.  This one took a little bit longer than 21 days.  Some days I am dog tired and have to drag myself through the steps, but most days I actually start to look forward to working up a sweat.  By the time I am halfway through my workout I am wishing it were over, but this is still a vast improvement over my couch potato past, lol!!  I am on day 13 of the EA Sports Active 30 Day Challenge and have completed 9 out of 20 workouts.  That is almost the halfway point so I am rather proud of myself!  

"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you."  ~  Fred Devito

Love/Hate Relationship: Taco Bell

I love a good taco or some nachos.  I usually make them at home using ground turkey and all the fixings, but every now and then, I would head straight over to "yo quiero Taco Bell" and place my order.  Le Sigh.  Since starting this blog, having to actually look at the nutritional information of fast food restaurants has been an eye opening experience.  Seriously, I don't think most people realize how many calories the average combo has when they are going through a drive through and ordering the same old, same old.  If they did, they would keep on going.  And they wonder why so many Americans are obese.


Love it! (usual orders)

• Nachos BellGrande and Crunchy Taco Supreme (980 cal)
• Fiesta Taco Salad-Beef  (780 cal)
• Grilled Steak Soft Taco and Two Crunchy Tacos (590 cal)
• Caramel Apple Empanada (310 cal)

 By the way, I haven't even added the other 600-800 or so calories for that big old cup of soda that comes with the meal!

Try it! (healthier options)
Here are some lower calorie options that are a little easier on your waistline.

• Two of these with a diet soda or water for lunch
• Fresco Chicken Soft Taco (150 cal)
• Fresco Crunchy Taco (150 cal)
• Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco (150 cal)
• Fresco Soft Taco (180 cal)
• Crunchy Taco (170 cal)
• Chicken Soft Taco (180 cal)

• One of these with Mexican Rice (120 cal) for dinner
• Fresco Bean Burrito (350 cal)
  
• Fresco Burrito Supreme Chicken (350 cal)
  
• Fresco Burrito Supreme Steak (340 cal)

The Fresco items are part of Taco Bell's Diet Menu and are prepared with Fiesta Salsa – a mix of diced tomatoes, white onions and cilantro – that replaces the shredded cheese and sauce for only 5 calories!


Hate it!
XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito - Beef (880 cal)
XXL Grilled Stuft Chicken - Beef (840 cal)
XXL Grilled Stuft Steak - Beef (820 cal)
Volcano Nachos (990 cal)  Really!?!?

You can see more nutrition information on Taco Bell's website.

Exercising with EA Sports Active

If you recall, I had to skip my walks outside for various reasons and decided to work out with my Wii instead.  I have had these games for a while, but have never really used them consistently before now.  I started exercising with the Wii Fit and last week I moved on to the 30 day challenge with EA Sports Active.  There are definite benefits to each system.  Wii Fit gives me a better cardio workout because I am having so much fun that I don't realize how long I have been playing.  EA Sports Active is more intensive because it is like working out with a personal trainer. 

Oprah's personal trainer, Bob Greene, helped develop this system.  It provides you with a variety of exercises for a strength training routine that targets the muscles of the upper and lower body, as well as cardio.   There are 70+ exercises including: jogging, bicep curls, cardio boxing, inline skating, cross knee punches, bent over rows, lateral shoulder raises, said lunges, squats and tennis.   You can choose whether you want a male or female personal trainer to show you how to do each exercise and offer you verbal feedback.  The system is very useful in that it can tell when you are not doing an exercise properly and provides on screen cues to get you back on track.  All in all, this was a great investment!

Something New: Week 4 Wrap-up

Well, I have made it through the fourth week of the competition!  That time just flew on by! Anywho, the final tally for this week - 2 lbs lost for a total of 6 lbs! 
**doing my happy dance**

Recap: 

• A lot of my new habits are becoming easier: Using a food journal, cooking dinner regularly, skipping regular sodas, drinking more water, exercising almost daily, etc.  I guess that old rule of doing something for 21-28 days to make it a habit is true.
• I am still drinking a steady six glasses of water a day.  Oh, those last two glasses continue to elude me!  BTW, I have not been counting tea or Crystal Light drinks in my total, even though they are mostly water.
• I surprised myself when I realized that I had not had a fast food burger and fries in one month!  It doesn't even take me very long to cook at home because I keep some 15 - 20 minute meal options in the freezer at all times.  I almost went to Taco Bell the other day, but started thinking that I am on a roll!  Instead, I went to the store and bought all of the ingredients to cook my own tacos at home with ground turkey.  I need to save those fast food moments for evenings when I really don't have time to cook.
• My new exercise regimen has been working out great, especially since it has been getting much warmer outside.  I started the EA Sports Active 30 Day Challenge for strength training last week and continue to do the Wii Fit on my rest days for cardio.  Surprisingly, I have decided to continue exercising six days a week; I can't even believe I have given myself this goal.  Let's be real for a minute.  Do I WANT to do all of this exercise?  Absolutely not.  However, I would rather get up and do it so that it becomes a habit.  It helps that my workouts are between 20-25 minutes and I usually have dinner in the oven.  By the time I finish, I just take a quick shower, sit down and enjoy a good meal.  I figure if I keep it up at this pace, I will be ok on the days that I can't workout because of my schedule.

New Motto:  Slow and steady wins the race!

Link Love 2

Do You Need Enhanced Water?

Trendy "functional" waters are giving plain old H₂0 a run for its money. 

But do they really improve your health?

  

10 Healthy Desserts 

All the yummy treats you love, and these 10 are diet-friendly to boot. Sweet!

10 Healthy Foods that Come in a Wrapper

Packaged foods have gotten a bad, um, wrap. But, they’ve come a long way.  

Consider this your stay-slim shopping list.

Dieting Mistakes That You Are Making (Thanks, Dad!)

Trying to slim down and feeling frustrated?  If you’re giving it your all but the number on the scale still isn’t budging, you may be sabotaging yourself in spite of your best intentions.
Here are a dozen dieting don'ts to help save your weight-loss efforts.

Six Surprising Sources of Sugar 

Most of us eat too much sugar.  If you’re trying to cut back on added sugars in your diet, you’ve probably already tackled the obvious sources: sugar-sweetened beverages and desserts.  But what about the less-obvious sources of added sugars?

Love/Hate Relationship: O'Charley's

Scenario:  My friend and I decided to run to a shoe store during lunch last week.  Unfortunately, it had been so long since either of us had been to the store that we didn't know that it had closed.  Two years ago.  Oh well...

I had a bright idea.  "Let's go to O'Charley's for lunch!"  It was close by and I hadn't been there in a while.  She agreed and I drove on over.  We entered, were seated and were given menus.  We both pulled out our phones and started checking calorie counts.  **Crickets**  

Their lunch menu, with items starting at $6.49, lets you choose an entree and a pairing (calories):

• Entrees include: 1/2 BLT (410), Cheese & Bacon Quesadilla (710), 1/2 Club Sandwich (480), Chicken Tacos (620), Chicken Fajita Sandwich (740) and Cajun Chicken Pasta (840).
• Pairing include: Soup of the Day, Overloaded Potato Soup (170 cup), House Salad w/o Dressing (130), Caesar Salad (280) and a Loaded Baked Potato (590)

Oh-kay... moving on to the more expensive options.

• Good Time Nachos (Not a real option, but they looked good!) - 1030 cal
• Bayou Tilapia - 880 cal (w/o the sauce and 1/2 the serving of the rice pilaf - 435 cal)
• Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken - 680 cal
• Cedar Planked Salmon - 530 cal
• Cedar Planked Tilapia - 280 cal
• Grilled Turkey Burger - 890 cal
• Sweet Potato Fries - 470 cal
• Yeast Roll - 130 cal

Le sigh.  The pickings were indeed slim.  Let's just say that our waitress had to come back to our table three times before we ordered.  I finally settled on the Bayou Tilapia with the sauce on the side (435) with rice pilaf (190) and a house salad (130) with Balsamic dressing.  Removing the sauce from the fish basically made it a nice blackened tilapia.  We couldn't resist the rolls, so we decided to split one.  But, hold on for a moment.  I ordered the Balsamic dressing because they didn't have Italian and I though it would be better than Ranch.  I was shocked that it had 240 calories!  Oil based salad dressings were supposed to be better than cream based, right?!?  Apparently not in every case, so I was glad I got that on the side as well.  I ended up dipping the fork in the dressing in order to eat the salad.  How they came up with 130 calories for a bowl of lettuce with ONE cucumber slice and an actual PINCH of shredded cheese is beyond me, but whatever.  I guess it was all of the croutons (which I removed).  The Bayou Tilapia "sauce" was really an oily Creole sauce that looked like a gravy of some kind with red and green peppers in it.  I was so glad that I asked that it be put on the side.  The seasoned fish was perfect all by itself.  The meal came with about two servings of rice pilaf so I left half of it uneaten.  Restaurant portions are so large that you have to be mindful of just how much you are eating or their nutritional info goes right out of the window.  All in all, it was a good lunch and a good day!  

You can find more of O'Charley's nutritional information here.  They have a few decent options, but not as many as I expected.  When you consider how restaurants are beginning to cater to those who want healthier options, O'Charley's seems to be a little behind the curve.

 Bayou Tilapia (Photo courtesy of O'Charley's)

Oh So Tasty!

I have made some new discoveries in my grocery store!  Here are a few of the healthier foods that I have tried and love.  I am not dieting, so not every item I list will be low fat, no sugar, no flavor, etc.  I am making a lifestyle change and losing excess weight by exercising more and making better choices about what I eat and how much.  So, now that my disclaimer is out of the way, I can get down to business.

Have you ever tried a turkey burger?  Now usually, I just use the fresh, ground turkey patties and season them myself, but, um... they were frozen cause I had planned to cook something else for dinner.  Off to Wally World!  After picking up the usual patties, I glanced down into the frozen section as I passed by. Hmm, these burgers looked good and were already seasoned, so I grabbed them and put back the others.  Plus, they could be prepared from "Freezer to Grill", saving me another trip to the store in the future.  Works for me!

Butterball Frozen Seasoned Turkey Burgers

Just broil them for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, toast up a wheat bun

and you can enjoy a juicy, well seasoned burger that is only 240 calories.  It was so good!!

FYI - Be careful of pre-seasoned foods like this if you are watching your sodium intake.

 

Speaking of that wheat bun.  I usually go for white wheat bread because wheat seems a little chewy and thick to me.  Apparently, it has been the brand that I have been buying.  After reading good things about Arnold brand products, I picked up their 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Rolls (160 cal each).  Honestly, I forgot that it was a wheat bun because it tasted so good and was so soft.  It was also a good sized bun and wasn't dwarfed by my turkey burger.

Arnold 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Rolls

We all know that you can't go to Wally World and just pick up one or two things.  I also grabbed a couple of bags of the Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps.  I tried them out for the first time a few of weeks ago and now they are a staple in my pantry for a good, filling snack.  They look like pretzels, but the dough has been flattened and baked to give the crispy texture of a chip or cracker.  I have only tried the Original flavor, but they also come in Everything, Garlic Parmesan, Sesame, Jalapeno Jack, Buffalo Wing and Chipotle Cheddar.  Eleven crisps are only 110 calories!

Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps

So, there you have it! 

Exercising with Wii Fit

Rainy weather and scheduling conflicts kept me from walking outside very much last week.  So, to get in my exercise I cranked up my Wii Fit.  This is a fitness game by Nintendo that includes a balance board and games that are a lot of fun and a great workout.  If you are a gym rat, you might not find it challenging, but it is a great way to get the couch potatoes up and moving.  Personally, I find the aerobics and balance games to be the best for a fun workout. I usually begin with Super Hula to get my heart rate up, move on to Advanced Step and Rhythm Boxing and finish with a balance game.  This allows me to get in some good cardio and works out my arms and legs.  The yoga and strength training are good ways to target specific muscle groups.  Since I purchased my Wii Fit, they have come out with another version called Wii Fit Plus, which has some additional activities.  Read on for more information about what’s included with each.

Wii Fit

• Strength Training: Put your strength to the test with muscle-toning exercises like Single Leg Extension, Sideways Leg Lift, Arm and Leg Lift, Single-Arm Stand, Torso Twists, Rowing Squat, Single Leg Twist, Lunge, Push-Up and Side Plank, Jackknife, Plank and Tricep Extension. Challenges include Push-Up Challenge, Plank Challenge and Jackknife Challenge.
• Aerobics: Get your heart pumping with fun, interactive Aerobic exercises like Hula Hoop, Basic Step, Basic Run, Super Hula Hoop, Advanced Step, 2-P Run, Rhythm Boxing, Free Step and Free Run.
• Yoga: Work on your balance and flexibility with Yoga poses and activities like Deep Breathing, Half-Moon, Dance, Cobra, Bridge, Spinal Twist, Shoulder Stand, Warrior, Tree, Sun Salutation, Standing Knee, Palm Tree, Chair, Triangle and Downward-Facing Dog.
• Balance Games: Get into the action with fun, balanced-based games like Soccer Heading, Ski Slalom, Ski Jump, Table Tilt, Tightrope Walk, Balance Bubble, Penguin Slide, Snowboard Slalom and Lotus Focus.

Wii Fit Plus:

• Yoga and Strength: More poses like Spine Extension, Gate, Grounded V, Balance Bridge, Single-Leg Extension and Side Lunge.
• Balance Games: More games like Perfect 10, Island Cycling, Rhythm Kung-Fu, Driving Range, Segway Circuit, Bird’s Eye Bulls-Eye, Snowball Fight, Obstacle Course, Tilt City, Rhythm Parade, Big Top Jogging, Skateboard Arena, Table Tilt Plus, Balance Bubble Plus and Basic Run Plus.

Something New: Week 3 Wrap Up

Well, I have made it through the third week of the competition and I called myself trying to make a healthier spaghetti casserole for my Mom for Mother's Day.   Lesson learned:  Don't try to cook spaghetti with ground turkey for your Mom when she doesn't even need to lose weight, lol!!  I was politely informed that, "Everybody doesn't want to eat what you are eating".  Yes ma'am!  I ended up making two casseroles: one with ground turkey and another with ground beef.  LMBO!!  

Anywho, the final tally for this week - 1 lb lost for a total of 4 lbs!

Recap: 

Soooo, since I made those two casseroles and had to calculate the calories in each, I discovered that there really isn't that much difference between lean ground beef and ground turkey.  Now I bought the seasoned ground turkey because I wanted to try it out, but I have also listed the 93% lean ground turkey for an exact comparison to the ground beef.  Everyone says that turkey is so much better for you, but take a look at the facts:

• Seasoned Italian Style Ground Turkey
•  Calories - 190
• Fat - 10g
• Saturated fat - 2.5g
• Cholesterol - 75mg
• Sodium - 670mg
• Protein - 20g
• Lean ground beef (93% lean, 7% fat)
• Calories - 160
• Fat - 8g
• Saturated fat - 4g
• Cholesterol - 70mg
• Sodium - 75mg
• Protein - 23g
• Ground turkey (93% lean, 7% fat - for comparison purposes)
• Calories - 150
• Fat - 8g
• Saturated fat - 3.5g
• Cholesterol - 80mg
• Sodium - 95mg
• Protein - 22g

Now this just tells me that I need to leave the pre-seasoned turkey alone because of the HUGE difference in the amount of sodium.  Geez! 

I have almost increased my water intake to a steady six glasses a day so now I am working on eight.  I must be getting used to it because it wasn't as aggravating.  I was only able to walk outside one day this week due to my schedule and the weather, so I pulled out my Wii Fit at home for exercise instead.  I'll post more about my experience with that later.

New Goals AGAIN: More water & more sleep!  I am still not getting enough rest and I am pretty sure that is affecting my weight loss.  Onward and Upward folks!!

Love/Hate Relationship: Chik-fil-a

I have already mentioned that Chik-fil-a is my favorite restaurant, but I need to go over their whole menu to give you a few more ideas about what's good to order and what's not when you are planning to head through their drive through.

Love It! (usual orders)

• 4 piece Chik-n-Minis (370 cal)
• 8 piece nugget meal (260 cal)
• 4 piece chicken finger (470 cal)

These menu items aren't too bad as long as you don't get the combos with tater tots/fries (290 cal for a medium fry) and a soda.  Make it a habit to ask for the fresh fruit cup (50 cal) or side salad (70 cal) instead and you can have almost anything on the menu.  I told you they're my favorite!

Try it! (healthier options)

• Yogurt parfait (180 cal - add granola and it jumps to 290)
• Multigrain oatmeal with toppings (290)
• Sunflower Multigrain Bagel (220 cal w/o spread) 
• Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich w/med. Fruit Cup (360 cal)
• Southwest Chargrilled Salad (240 cal w/o dressing) 
• Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad (180 w/dressing)
• Chargreilled Chicken Cool Wrap (410)
• Chicken Soup (140 cal)
• Ice dream cone (170 cal)

Not for everyday (again, skip the fries, tots and coleslaw) 

• Chicken, Egg, & Cheese on Sunflower Multigrain Bagel (480 cal)
• Sausage Breakfast Burrito (500 cal)
• Chicken Biscuits (reg and spicy - 460 cal)
• Chicken Salad Sandwich (510 cal)
• Carrot and raisin salad (260 cal - not bad by itself, but not ok with a meal)

Skip it!

• Fudge Nut Brownie (370 cal)
• Chocolate Chunk Cookie (320 cal)
• Milk shakes (660-770 cal)

More nutritional information for Chik-fil-a can be found here.

Food & Fitness Journal

It's been clinically proven that keeping track of what you eat is the #1 most effective method for controlling and reducing your daily caloric intake.  I use the MyFitnessPal app on my phone to keep track of my meals and exercise.  If you don't have a smart phone, there are other options, so NO EXCUSES! 

Keep up with it online:

MyFitnessPal

Calorie Counter

Fitday

Print it out:

WebMD

FitWatch

Photo credit: EasierLiving.com

Portion Distortion!

The folks at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) have a couple of great slide shows comparing portion sizes of today and those from 20 years ago.  Check it out!

Portion Distortion! 

Do You Know How Food Portions Have Changed in 20 Years?

Anyone eating on the run or at restaurants has probably noticed that food portions have gotten larger. Some portions are called "super size," while others have simply grown in size and provide enough food for at least two people. With this growth have come increases in waistlines and body weight. To see if you know how today's portions compare to the portions available 20 years ago, quiz yourself on Portion Distortion I (2003) and Portion Distortion II (2004). You will also learn about the amount of physical activity required to burn off the extra calories provided by today's portions.

 

Portion Distortion I

 

Portion Distortion II

Quickie: Sargento Ultra Thin Cheese Slices

Sargento is running a new campaign called "Thin Out Your Meals" in order to advertise their new Ultra Thin Sliced Cheeses.   Each thin slice is about approx. 40 calories, which works for me as I love cheese and want to swap out my regular Kraft slices (60 cal) for something that is a little bit healthier. Kraft 2% Milk singles are also 45 calories, so now I have some options for Swiss, Provolone, Colby-Jack and Mild Cheddar slices.  Remember, every little bit helps!

You can visit the Sargento Facebook page to get a coupon for $1.00 off.

Avoid the Elevator: 4 Reasons to Always Take the Stairs

Climbing the stairs usedto be an option only if the elevator was not working. Today, more and morepeople recognize the importance of taking the stairs and skipping the elevatorfor their health and for other reasons such as time and energy conservation.Here are some of the top reasons why you should start taking the climb.

Photo credit: www.hercampus.com

1. Free Workout

Stair climbing contributes agood 30 minutes to your total daily physical workout. In this form of exercise,you don't need to pay for anything or buy any exercise equipment, plus you cando it anywhere as long as there are stairs.

2. Heart Health Improvement

This form of exercise is goodfor your heart. It can lower your bad cholesterol levels and raise your goodcholesterol levels. It also relieves tension and stress that can have adverseeffects on your heart. This too can lower the risk of hypertension and diseasesthat are related to heart health.

3. Longer Life

Climbing the stairs can add moreyears to your life, and in more ways than one. For one, it reduces the risk ofinjury because it increases muscle strength and power. It improves your overallhealth and decreases your risk for different kinds of ailments that can affectyour quality of life.

4. Time and Energy Saver

Health is not the only thingthat benefits from climbing the stairs. It can also save you a great amount oftime and reduce energy consumption. It's sometimes much faster to take thestairs, especially during peak times when elevators take a long time to arriveon the floor of your location. It is also good for the environment because itlessens energy consumption.

Original article can be found here at FitDay.com.

Something New: Week 2 Wrap Up

Well, I have made it through the second week of the competition and I made it through my first BBQ.  Final tally - 1 lb lost!

Recap:

• Tried a very nice blackened salmon from Sam's Club (C. Wirthy & Co. brand).  They are individually vacuum sealed so I only had to defrost what I was planning to eat.  Took about 15 minutes to cook in the oven.  I enjoyed it with a nice rice pilaf and broccoli for dinner.
• Tried out the Tazo Passion Shaken Iced Tea from Starbucks with the gift card.  Not too shabby.  Tried to get the petite scones, but they were out.  Since the cashier had rung them up already, the manager decided to give me a full refund, so I can go back again at no cost to me!  Sweet!!   Next time I will try the lemonade. 
• I took my lunch to work twice.  Planned to do it three times, but I forgot my lunch bag Thursday.  
• I exercised (walked outside or on treadmill) five days this week, including one day in light rain with an umbrella.  
• Still aiming to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day.  I improved, but it wasn't consistent.
• Made it through my first movie!  Took my own 100 cal bag of popcorn, a small bag of Jelly Belly beans (150 cal) and a bottle of water with Lipton Iced Tea to go (5 cal for half a bottle).
• Lessons learned: I can't eat just 3 Jolly Ranchers (actual serving size), so I won't be buying them any more.  You have to know your weaknesses!
• New Goals: More water & more sleep!

100 Calorie Snack Packs

At my job, the time from 2 to 3 pm is snack time.  That’s when people are taking their first break since lunch and scrounging around looking for something from the vending machine to help them get through the last couple of hours of the work day.  However, if you are trying to make healthier choices, the vending machine is NOT the way to go.  So what’s a girl to do?  What about those little snack packs that have taken over the cookie and cracker aisle at Walmart?  

Photo from http://www.abqjournalfit.com

When eaten in moderation, the 100-calorie snack packs are great for portion control, convenience, and satisfying a sweet tooth!  These days, you can find cookies, crackers, nuts and candy available in convenient little pouches that you can grab and put in your purse, lunchbox or desk drawer at work.   Unfortunately, you will pay the price for convenience.  The snack packs are usually more expensive than simply buying the regular sized item and dividing it up yourself in little plastic baggies.  

They also provide an easy way to count calories and avoid overeating foods that we should only have in limited amounts anyway.  If you normally eat a large bag of chips from the vending machine, it would work in your favor to shift to eating a smaller quantity.  Key word: Smaller.  You have to make sure you don’t scarf down two or three packs in one sitting.   

Remember, junk food is still junk food.  While this is great every once in a while, it would still be better to choose snack packs of nuts, dried fruit, or popcorn to enjoy on a regular basis rather than Doritos or Twinkies. 

Love/Hate Relationship: Zaxby's

Once again, I have been looking at the nutritional information of restaurants I visit on a somewhat regular basis. This time it was Zaxby's.

Le Sigh.  The bun alone has the same calories as Chik-fil-a's Grilled Chicken Sandwich, cup of fruit and a diet soda combined.  I guess my new order will be the Grilled House salad with no Texas toast or fried onions.  That's 345 calories w/o dressing.  All I can say for Zaxby's is - iCan't. 

MEALS

Chicken Finger Nibbler Meal (1330 cal)

Crinkle Fries 360, 3 Chicken Fingers 260, Zax Sauce 180, Nibbler Buns (3) 530

Cajun Club Sandwich Basket (1140 cal)

Crinkle Fries 360, Brioche Bun 360, Green Leaf Lettuce 0, Ranch Sauce 130, 2 pc Bacon 50,  Blackened Breast Fillet 190, American Cheese 50, Tomato 0, Pickle Spear 0

Grilled Chicken Sandwich Meal (1130 cal)

Crinkle Fries 360, Brioche Bun 360, Lettuce 0, Grilled Breast Fillet 190, Honey Mustard 220

Chicken Sandwich Salad Meal (1020 cal)

Crinkle Fries 360, Lettuce 0, Mayo 230, Tomato 0, Chicken Salad 260, Honey Wheat Bread 170

Big Zak Snak Meal (950 cal) - One of my usual lunch orders, SMH

Crinkle Fries 360, 3 Chicken Fingers 260, Zax Sauce 180, Texas Toast 150

SALADS

The Zensation Salad (1115 cal)

Salad Base 25, 4 Chicken Fingers 350, Wonton Strips 80, Asian Slaw 70, Honey Sesame Sauce 70, Egg Roll 120, Citrus Vinaigrette 400 

The House Salad, Fried (No dressing) (765 cal) 

Texas Toast 150, Salad Base 25, Cheddar Jack Cheese 120, Roma Tomatoes 10, Cucumbers 0, Fried Onions 110, 4 Chicken Fingers 350          

The Caesar Salad, Fried (No dressing) (730 cal) 

 4 Chicken Fingers 350, Caesar Salad Base 20, 2 pc Bacon 50, Parmesan Cheese 110, Croutons 200

The House Salad, Grilled (No dressing) (605 cal)  - The other usual order

 Grilled Breast Fillet 190, Texas Toast 150, Salad Base 25, Cheddar Jack Cheese 120, Roma Tomatoes 10, Cucumbers 0, Fried Onions 110

The Caesar Salad, Grilled (No dressing) (570 cal)

Grilled Breast Fillet 190, Caesar Salad Base 20, 2 pc Bacon 50, Parmesan Cheese 110, Croutons 200

FINGERS/WINGS ONLY

5 Chicken Fingerz w/Sauce (610 cal)

5 Buffalo Wings w/Ranch (540 cal)

5 Boneless Wings w/no sauce (480 cal)

SIDES

Crinkle Fries, regular (360 cal)

Onion Rings, side (500 cal) 

 Cole Slaw (140 cal)

SWEETS

White Macadamia Nut Cookie (170 cal)

Birthday Cake Milkshake (860 cal)

Brownie Batter Milkshake (847 cal)

Vanilla Milkshake (825 cal) 

Build your meal to see just how many calories you have been eating in one meal here.