Sunday, March 14, 2010

Sorry for the delay folks; here's the continuation from March 6...

Olive Garden: D plus
We initially gave the Garden an F for failing to disclose their nutritional content. And we really appreciate the effort they've made to increase their transparency. But when a typical entree packs an average of 905 calories (and that's before you factor in appetizers, sides, drinks, and desserts), it's not time to celebrate just yet.
SURVIVAL STRATEGY
While most pasta dishes are packed with at least a day's worth of doium and more than 1,000 calories, the Linguine alla Marinara and Ravioli di Portobello are both reasonable options. As for chicken and seafood, stick with the Herb-Grilled Salmon, Parmesan Crusted Tilapia, or Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto.
Best: Herb-Grilled Salmon
Worst: Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara

Panera Bread: B minus
Artisan they may be, but some of the sandwiches push into quadruple digits, and a train-length list of brownies, pastries, and cookies almost qualifies Panera as a dessert shop. Pitfalls aside, the healthy selection of soups and salads offers a much-needed reprieve from the carb-heavy bagels and breads.
SURVIVAL STRATEGY
Breakfast options abound with refined carbohydrates, so cut your losses and order the Egg & Cheese breakfast sandwich. Skip the stand-alone sandwich lunch. Either pair together a soup and salad or take the soup and half-sandwich combo.
Best: Half Asian Sesame Chicken Salad with cup of Vegetarian Black Bean Soup
Worst: Chipotle Chicken Sandwich on Artisan French Bread

Papa John's: C
Give Papa John's credit for being the only pizza franchise to offer a whole wheat crust, thus providing a viable, fiber-rich option to pizza lovers the country over. combine that with an innovative list of healthy toppings - including the surprisingly lean Spinach Alfredo - and you start to see hope for Papa John's devotees. The chain loses big points for its line of treacherous dipping sauces, its belly-building bread sticks, and its 400-calorie-a-slice pan-crust pizza.
SURVIVAL STRATEGY
There are only two crust options to consider: thin and wheat. Ask for light cheese and cover it with anything besides sausage, pepperoni, or bacon.
Best: Garden Fresh Thin Crust Pizza (1 slice)
Worst: The Meats Pan Crust Pizza (1 slice)

P.F.Chang's: D plus
A plague of quadruple-digit entrees turns Chang's menu into a nutritional minefield. noodle dishes and foods from the grill all come with dangerously high fat and calorie counts, while traditional stir-fries aren't much better. Chang's does have a great variety of low-cal appetizers and an ordering flexibility that allows for easy substitutions and tweaks.
SURVIVAL STRATEGY
Order a lean appetizer like the Chicken Lettuce Wraps or the Seared Ahi Tuna for the table and resolve to split one of the more reasonable entrees between 2 people. Earn bonus points by tailoring your dish to be light on the oil and sauce.
Best: Wild Alaskan Salmon Steamed with Ginger (full serving)
Worst: Combo Lo Mein (full serving)

Pizza Hut: C
In an attempt to push the menu beyond the ill-reputed pizza, Pizza Hut expanded into toasted sandwiches, pastas, and salads. Sound like an improvement: Think again. Every sandwich has at least 680 calories and 75 percent of your day's sodium. The salads aren't much better, and the pastas are actually worse. The thin crust pizzas and the Fit 'n Delicious offer redemption with sub-200-calorie slices. Eat a couple of those and you'll be doing just fine.
SURVIVAL STRATEGY
Start with a bowl of Tomato Basil Soup and then finish with a couple of slices. Turn to anything on the Fit 'n Delicious menu for slices as low as 150 calories.
Best: Ham, Red Onion & Mushroom Fit 'n Delicious Pizza (2 slices)
Worst: Meat Lover's Personal Pan Pizza

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