How to Eat Out and Stay Fit

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

08 Mar 2009 05:13 PM

It's not rocket science. As long as you stay away from super fatty foods, avoid gorging on high-calorie selections, and stick to your daily exercise routine, you should be able to treat yourself to a night out every once in a while.

To make it even easier to stay fit while dining out Health Magazine recently put some popular chain restaurants to the test. The eateries were scored on the use of healthy fats and preparations, availability of nutrition information, and the use of organic produce.

Here are the results:

Panera Bread. The bakery/cafe has an impressive menu of healthy choices, including Turkey Artichoke Sandwich on focaccia bread and garden vegetable soup. The restaurant also scored well in the portion control category for offering half-size soups, salads, and sandwiches. Also, most of the chicken Panera uses is antibiotic- and hormone-free, a rarity for chain eateries.

Jason's Deli. This fairly new establishment scored well largely because of its organic menu: About one-fifth of all its ingredients are organic, from blue-corn tortilla chips and whole-wheat wraps to field greens and spinach.

Au Bon Pain. This healthy fast food restaurant serves up sandwiches, soups, salads, and hot entrees made with whole grains, veggies, and hormone-free, antibiotic-free chicken. Another bonus: The restaurant features a 14-item menu of nutritious small plates, all of which are less than 200 calories. Their low-calorie soups, such as Jamaican Black Bean and Fire Roasted Exotic Grains and Vegetables scored well too.

Noodles and Company. This popular chain restaurant is well known for its healthy Asian fare. Not only does it avoid grease (only healthy soybean oil is used in sauteing), but it also serves up lean proteins, such as hormone and antibiotic-free chicken, beef, shrimp, and organic tofu. You can also opt for a smaller sized portion and healthy whole-grain linguine.

Related Articles:

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Fast Food Kids' Meals---How Healthy Are They?

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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