Ignorance is Bliss

Ever wonder the nutrition facts of the food you eat when you dine out? Me neither.

I kid. I kid.

My strategy when I eat out is pretty good. No cream sauces. No fried food (with the exception of eating my dining partner's fries or splitting an appetizer). A few bites of dessert. Choose a side salad, instead of a high-fat side. Dressing on the side. Eat only half of what is on your plate (yeah, right). Etc. Etc.

Well, I attended a great nutrition seminar at on Thursday. The topic was about making good food choices when eating out. I learned a great piece of information that I couldn't help but share with you.

Food chains now post their nutrition information online!

This is good news and bad news. The good news is that we can make better food choices when we dine out. The bad news is that we are no longer ignorant as to how poorly we have been eating while dining out. There is joy in not knowing how bad it is and just enjoying it--fooling yourself can be enjoyable every once in a while.

When you skim these menus, it is obvious that you can consume one day's worth of calories, fat, and sodium in just one meal while dining out.

I knew that Starbucks and McDonald's offer their nutrition information. Starbucks was really enlightening. There are some decent choices. One thing I learned is that the low fat pastries have about the same amount of calories as the regular pastries, but with lower fat. No calorie deficit! I learned that there are many coffee drinks that I can enjoy, on occasion, at around 200 calories (It counts as a snack).

I admit that I occasionally drink an "ice coffee regular" (the words you have to use when you order) from McDonald's. I thought it was the best of the fancy coffee drinks offered, because it was simple. My ASSumption was that the cappuccinos, mochas, etc. were bad choices. Mind you, I knew that the ice coffee had cream in it and I looked at it as a treat. Not a good choice, but not as bad as others. Turns out, it has 5 grams of TRANS FAT!!! A drink with trans fat! Good bye! Never again! Ignorance was bliss! Bliss is gone!

Here is some nutrition information that I thought I would share:

Starbucks offers food nutrition and drink nutrition information. They also offer an entire list of drinks under 200 calories !

Pei Wei includes a gluten free menu, along with their nutrition information.

P.F. Chang's also includes gluten free choices.

Chili's

Beck's Prime (for Houstonians)

Carraba's offers a diabetic exchange menu and a gluten free menu .

IHOP offers menus under 600 calories.

My list is a small start. Check out some of your favorites online.

Like I said, this is good news and bad news. I mourn a little inside; however, I know I will be better off making informed decisions. My ass will thank me later.