Unfortunately, it is not all black and white when it comes to sodium levels in restaurant food. For instance, Denny’s, Red Lobster, Chili’s and Olive Garden can contain a whole days worth of sodium in just one meal. These meals are often loaded with extra salt, so definitely put down the saltshaker when eating out. Ordering a side that is high in potassium, such as a fresh fruit cup with banana or cantaloupe, will help your kidneys eliminate excess sodium.
Many restaurants offer healthy alternatives, but that doesn’t mean that they contain the calories they claim to. A recent E.W. Scripps lab investigation showed that chains like Chili’s and Taco Bell can contain twice the calories and eight times the fat published in their nutritional information. Ruby Tuesday’s chicken salad has 1,129 calories, so you have to scrutinize salads as well. Any menu item that reads, “creamy, crispy, fried or battered” are all code words for high fat.
One of the top saltiest drive-thru meals goes to Burger King. A cheeseburger and small fries, which is popular with children, contains 1,360 milligrams of sodium, 680 calories and 33 grams of fat. That’s equivalent to 5 big grab bags of Lay’s potato chips. Instead, nutritionists recommend having the six piece chicken tender meal with barbecue sauce and applesauce. Pizza Hut’s Supreme Pan Pizza is another offender and two slices contain a whopping 1,780 milligrams of sodium, 800 calories and 40 grams of fat. A healthier option is their Natural Veggie Lovers Pizza with no olives, which contains 760 milligrams of sodium, 380 calories and 12 grams of fat. Try eating at home more often and save yourself all the extra sodium.
Comments (0):