Eating out on a diet at Applebee’s does not mean you are stuck with the Weight Watchers menu items unless, of course, you are specifically on Weight Watchers.
For everyone else eating out on a diet at Applebee’s, there’s the under 550 calories menu and plenty of mix and match choices depending what you like.
You may be shocked at the number of fat and calories in some healthy sounding Applebee’s menu items and pleasantly surprised by things you can eat on a diet while eating out at Applebee’s.
Applebee’s is home to the Fiesta Lime chicken with 1,230 calories and 67 grams of fat. Their Philly Burger has 1,090 calories and 63 grams of fat while the temping BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders come in at 1,020 calories and 48 grams of fat.
Here are some tips for losing weight while dining out at Applebee’s:
No. 1: Tip for eating out on a diet at Applebee’s: If you want to play it safe, choose things from the Under 550 menu such as Asiago Peppercorn steak with 390 calories and 14 grams of fat; the Grilled Dijon Chicken and Portobellos with 450 calories and 16 grams of fat; the Spicy Shrimp Diavolo with 500 calories and 10 grams of fat or the Asian Crunch salad with chicken breast, roasted red pepper, onions, sugar snap peas, cucumbers and tangy Asian vinaigrette and sliced almonds for 490 calories and 9 grams of fat.
No. 2: Tip for eating out on a diet at Applebee’s: When selecting seafood on a diet at Applebee’s don’t be fooled by the healthy-sounding items such as Crispy Shrimp Caesar salad which has a crazy 1,060 calories and 78 grams of fat. Instead play it safe with the Weight Watchers Cajun Lime Tilapia has 310 calories and 4.6 grams of fat.
No. 3: Tip for eating out on a diet at Applebee’s: Think twice before ordering appetizers at Applebee’s. If you must, avoid the chili cheese nachos with 1,680 calories and have instead the Dynamite Shrimp with 730 calories (did I really recommend that?) or the Chicken Wonton Tacos with 610 calories. The Trios Mozzarella sticks have significantly less with 430 calories. If you order these appetizers, that’s your meal.
No. 4: Tip for eating out on a diet at Applebee’s: I ordered from the Pick N pair lunch combo section of the menu. If you order a Pick N Pair lunch avoid the Three-cheese Chicken penne with 690 calories and 32 grams of fat. I had the Grilled shrimp and spinach. Note the huge difference between the fat and calories depending on whether you have the dressing. A half of the Grilled Shrimp and Spinach has 620 calories and 43 grams of fat, but without dressing it’s 320 calories and 17 grams of fat. Ask for the dressing on the side. I did and dipped my fork, leaving behind about 9/10 of the dressing.
No. 5: Tip for eating out on a diet at Applebee’s: Be cautious about which soup you order. Always get the cup, not the bowl. French onion soup in a cup has 280 calories and 15 grams of fat; Chicken noodle has 140 calories and 4 grams of fat. The shocking one is the chili with 480 calories with 29 grams of fat for just a cup.
No. 6: Tip for eating out on a diet at Applebee’s: Don’t eat dessert unless that’s all you are eating. Even the tiny “Shooters” have a lunch’s worth of calories. The best dessert choice is the Hot fudge shooter with 340 calories and 18 grams of fat as opposed to the Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae with 1,660 calories and 82 grams of fat.
Bottom line on eating at Applebee’s on a diet: If they don’t state the calories or fat – they probably don’t want you to know!
Source: Applebee’s official Web site
