It really is a shame. Some of the best-tasting foods are actually some of the worst in terms of fat and calories. But it can be hard to avoid them, especially in places-like malls-where nutrition information usually isn’t available.
So I did the work for you; take a look at a list of foods you should skip-or pick-at a mall, restaurant, or grocery store. By the way, generally speaking, a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet should have no more than 66 grams of fat, less than 20 grams saturated; 2,400 milligrams of sodium; and 300 grams of total carbohydrate, including sugars.
Booster Juice’s Hulk Strawberry Smoothie
Fruit and yogurt can’t be bad, right? Wrong. Smoothies are often made with ice cream or milk and can be crammed with sugar. At least this treat gives you a heads up: It’s listed on the menu as a smoothie for people looking to gain weight.
But the calories are excessive – more than two Big Macs put together. And that’s just the small!
One 20-ounce smoothie: 1,044 calories, 35g fat, 120g sugar.
Try this instead: Low-Carb Strawberry smoothie: 268 calories, 9g fat, 3g sugar.
Tim Horton’s Coffee Cake Muffin
Muffins are often mistaken for the doughnut’s healthy cousin. But muffins can be surprisingly high in fat. This one is particularly offensive; you’d need to eat about three glazed donuts to match its nutrients and calories.
One muffin: 620 calories; 25g fat, 7g saturated; 54g sugar; 93g carbs.
Try this instead: For an alternative-but equally decadent-breakfast treat, one glazed donut is a better bet: 220 calories, 9g fat, 12g sugar, 31g carbs.
Olive Garden’s Grilled Shrimp Caprese
Shrimp are low-fat, low-cal, and high in protein and iron. What’s not to like?
In fact, the garlic-butter sauce in this dish helps rack up nearly two-thirds of your daily fat and about one and a half times your sodium limit.
One plate: 900 calories, 41g fat, 3,490mg sodium.
Try this instead: Get a lighter version of this dish without the melted cheese and with marinara sauce on the side. The Venetian Apricot Chicken is another option; it has one-third the calories and 1/10 the fat, but still packs a good deal of sodium.
Quiznos’ Chicken With Honey Mustard Flatbread Salad
Unhealthy salads lurk everywhere. They promise grilled chicken, leafy greens, and fewer carbs, but often deliver bacon, cheddar cheese, and high-fat dressing. Don’t be tricked; this salad will cost you half a day’s calories. The dressing alone has 48 grams of fat, nearly your daily max.
One salad, dressing and bread included: 1,070 calories, 71g fat, 1,770mg sodium.
Try this instead: The Cantina Chicken Sammie, a 205-calorie, low-fat, veggie-filled flatbread sandwich: 455mg sodium, 12g protein.
Pizza Hut’s Meaty P’Zone
The TV commercials for this 1-pound monster feature hungry dudes who don’t want to share. One chows down and tells another, who looks on longingly, to order his own. But these pizza-crust calzones should be shared-preferably with a crowd. Eating the whole thing is akin to consuming about six cheese slices in one sitting, and it delivers one and a half times your daily limit for sodium. One serving size is one-half of a P’Zone.
One whole P’Zone: 1,480 calories, 66g fat, 3,680mg sodium.
Try this instead: One slice of the Natural Veggie Lover’s multigrain crust pizza has 190 calories, 6g fat, 380 mg sodium, and 9g protein.
Cinnabon
Don’t even try it!
If you are unsure as to what your daily caloric intake and the breakdown of protein, carbohydrates, and fat should be based on your personal goals please see a professional.
This will save you time and frustration and at the same time enable you to reach your fitness goals. You will then be able to enjoy life to its fullest!