Think that salad is 500 calories? Guess again.

[gooddecisions]

This article made me think of a poster who was confused how she had gained so much weight when her daily meals included a reasonable Panera Bread salad.

www.latimes.com/health/la-he-menu-calories-20110720,0,1954466.story

I've always doubted the calories listed at restaurants given the variation in food preparation. If I've given any thought to it, I tend to gross up whatever they say by 100 calories. This article sites specific examples of how far off the listed calories can be.

"Only 7% of the 269 foods tested were within 10 calories of what the restaurants stated, the scientists found. And almost 20% packed at least 100 more calories than what was indicated. "

[chiver78]

ok, so I'm not far into the article yet, and I already have an issue.

The most variable foods included those that dieters are more likely to choose, such as an order of three pieces of dark chicken meat at Boston Market — listed as 358 calories but packing more than 500 in the study — and the cranberry pecan chicken salad at the Midwestern restaurant chain Bob Evans, listed as 841 calories but weighing in at over 1,100 calories — more than half of what an average adult should eat in a day.

um....what dieting adult chooses dark meat chicken or chicken salad while dining OUT? that's part of the problem right there!

as far as Panera - this restaurant, like any, has offerings that will easily fit into the daily caloric budget of the average dieter. what is "reasonable" for a salad there? my personal choice when opting for salad is the Classic cafe salad, with grilled chicken - mixed greens, seasoned grilled chicken breast, and balsamic vinaigrette that I get on the side. I use maybe half of what is given to me on the side, which is less than what is used when the staff tosses it for me. I'd be willing to bet that the quoted dieter isn't matching my menu choice.

[Formerly SK]

Since I'm gluten/dairy intolerant, the only "fast food" we eat is Chipotle. I went onto their website once and the difference between a chicken burrito (DH) and chicken bowl (me) is almost 500 calories. Since the only difference food-wise is the tortilla (200 cals) and cheese/sour cream (200-300 cals) that means you effectively double your calories for things that aren't as essential to the meal (as opposed to rice/beans/meat). I think MANY people don't realize how much hidden calories are in "typical" meals.

[Genuine GA Peach]

I worked with a woman who could not figure out how she kept gaining weight when all she at was salads. Um...seafood salad, mayo based pasta salad, chicken salad Gee, I can't figure it out either. She'd also get a Wendy's side salad & put 5 or 6 packets of ranch dressing on it

no, I never offered an explanation. If you are that dense, nothing I say is going to have very much impact.

[pig]

Places don't typicaly "weigh" each ingredient in a salad thus the caloric information is going to be very variable. The values listed are an average.