Out to Eat

I love going out to lunch or dinner with friends. The problem is that since I live in Utah, there is no required nutritional information on menus. I have to ask for it and then it's only 50/50 the server will know where to look or who to ask - they always look confused by the request. They look at me like I am a moron - I've even had snarky comments in return (their tip just went out the window!). Most chain restaurants post the nutritional information online. So...it's important to do your research before you go to the restaurant. I have to decide before I get there what I am going to order. Once I'm in the restaurant I am at their mercy as all the delicious looking and fattening food passes by me to other tables. Certain places like Cheesecake Factory REFUSE to post their nutritional info online. Well, thankfully there are some states like New York that require it by law so other people who care (like all of us) have taken the time to post it somewhere on the web. You can usually still find it online just not on the restaurant's web site. If you are going out to eat, do your research in advance. Just because it's a salad doesn't mean it's low in fat and calories. Don't believe me? Look up the Quesadilla Explosion Salad at Chili's. It has 1360 calories. That's pretty much all you'd get to eat that day if you order it. Their burgers are only 100-300 more calories...crazy!