Weight Loss and Dining Out

Many people try to reduce calorie intake and keep fat, sodium and other nutrient levels in check.  When eating out, you can find a wide variety of Healthy Dining picks to help you achieve your weight loss goals.  

Healthy Food


By Rachel Rothman, MS, RD

Question: “My weight loss program is limited to 1,200 calories a day. I’d like to find out which restaurants offer menus of 560 calories with low fat and low sodium?”

Answer: Many people try to reduce calorie intake and keep fat, sodium and other nutrient levels in check.  We are glad you found a weight loss program that works well for you!  It is important to remember that sustainable weight loss comes from lifestyle changes that you can maintain.  When trying to lose weight or starting a new diet plan, we recommend you visit a registered dietitian to monitor your plan and progress.  You will want to make sure that the diet plan you chose isn’t contributing to deficiencies of certain nutrients or other health ailments.  

At Healthy Dining, we’ve made it so much easier to find the calorie, fat, carbohydrate, sodium and other nutritional values in restaurant menu items.  Simply go to HealthyDiningFinder.com and type in your ZIP code to find dietitian-recommended menu items near you.  All menu items featured on HealthyDiningFinder.com must meet specific nutrition criteria.  According to these nutrition criteria, the menu items featured contain 750 calories or fewer.   The total fat content for Healthy Dining entrée items is limited to 25 grams or fewer. Additionally, the saturated fat content of an entrée item must be 8 grams of fat or fewer.  Click here to learn more about saturated and unsaturated fats.  If you are looking for a menu item that meets strict sodium criteria, we have a “Sodium Savvy” section on HealthyDiningFinder.com, as well.  Entrées that are labeled “Sodium Savvy” contain 750 mg of sodium or less, and appetizers, sides or desserts that are “Sodium Savvy” contain 250 mg of sodium or less.  Healthy Dining entrées also must include at least two of the following: fruits/vegetables, lean protein, whole grains or unsaturated fat, so you can be certain you are getting healthy nutrients your body needs!

When eating out, you can find a wide variety of Healthy Dining picks to help you achieve your weight loss goals.  Here are some of the menu choices that may tempt you at restaurants nationwide:

Country Dinner Plate: Chicken Tenderloins (Grilled) at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®
(170 calories, 4.5 g fat)
Located nationwide

Tuna Pecan Sandwich on Wheat Roll at Frullati
(480 calories, 25 g fat)
Located in AR, FL, IN, IL, MI, OH, OK, TN, TX

Burrito de Nopalitos at Rosa Linda’s Mexican Café
(310 calories, 2.5 g fat)
Located in Denver, CO