by SO you want to go out for dinner, but you really want to stay on top of your calorie count?
After all, summer is here, and with that comes weddings, holidays and sunny social events that involve flashing flesh.
7
Of course you want to look your best, but at the same time, you don’t want to miss out on meals out with friends.
Ultimately, the basic rule of weight loss is calories in versus calories out.
And to make the most of your calorie block, your best bet is to choose whole foods and minimize processed foods or caloric sauces because you’ll be able to eat a lot more without breaking your calorie limit .
But it’s often easier to stay on track with the odd ‘treat’ to ensure you’re still eating the foods you love.
Luckily, there are some lower calorie options available at your favorite eats that won’t completely break your diet, meaning you can enjoy a cheat day without the post-meal guilt.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite sub-500 calorie meals — and there’s not a soggy salad in sight.
Nando’s
7
Everyone has an abundance of lower calorie options at your favorite chicken shop.
The Chicken Butterfly comes in at just 331. Expect two chicken breasts with crispy flame-grilled skin.
Most are read in Diet & Nutrition
Wise Spice, Medium or Lemon and Herb are your best bets at 21 and 10 calories, respectively.
With friends? Split a whole chicken (1,157 calories) between three and you’ll each take in less than 500 calories.
Vegetables? The meat free meals really come in pretty high on the calorie count, so be careful.
However, the Chickpea Spice Burger has the lowest number, with 525.
The burger also comes with hummus, red pepper scallion and pickled pink onions, all served in a bun with lettuce and tomato.
Most Nando’s large sides serve two, so if you’re watching your calories, stick to half and split the rest or take it home for the next day.
Long Stem Broccoli is a low calorie (32 calories) and nutritious option, while the Rainbow Slaw – a mix of vegetables in a tangy dressing – has only 136 calories.
For a side of carbs, ignore the chips (450 calories) and go for the signature Spicy Rice, which has 246 per portion.
Whatever you do, if you want to stick to your diet, swerve the Fully Loaded Chips that pack in 1,103 calories.
Shake Shack
7
You can still enjoy this fast food joint.
One Cheese Burger comes in at 455 calories and there are only 398 calories in one beef burger.
Swerve the chips if you can, or share a small portion with a friend because Regular Fries are packed with a whopping 470 calories.
Do you want a burger and a shake? You may struggle to keep your calories on the low side; a vanilla shake from Shake Shack equals 657 calories.
TGI Friday
7
Hitting up the US joint just trying for a calorie overload, right?
After all, their Ultimate Cheese Container Burger packs in more than 1,300.
But you can cheat on your diet at TGI and keep under 500 calorie mark.
A half rack of prime rib is only 430 calories and comes with bacon and corn on the cob.
If you just want a small bite, stick to the King Garlic & Chilli Clams, which are only 201 calories.
Dessert lovers, steer clear. Or stick to the lighter Fresh Fruit & Orange Sorbet Sundae, which sits at 240 calories.
The 5 worst alcoholic drinks if you are on a diet
SUMMER means long days, shorter nights and usually, an increase in social events and drinking.
If you’re trying to watch your weight, however, this excess alcohol can be a problem as it can pack a fair number of calories with zero nutritional reward.
So how can you still go out and drink without it having too much of an impact on your waistline?
Georgia Chilton, nutritionist at Fresh Fitness Food shares the experts’ five worst summer drinks – and what to drink instead.
- Beer – swap for non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer
- Piña colada – swap for rum and coconut water with a splash of pineapple juice
- Daiquiri – swap for a classic daiquiri with fresh lime juice, a little simple syrup, and rum
- Long Island iced tea – swap for a vodka soda with a splash of Diet Coke
- Espresso martini – swap for a sugar-free and caffeine-free version
Wagamama
7
Check out the calorie count of Wagamama meals and you might be put off.
Who knew noodle, broth and meat-based meals could be so calorific?
Some of the Waga Katsu Curries, both meat and plant-based, come in at over 1,000 calories.
Pair this with a drink and a side and you’re getting close to your daily calorie allowance with one meal.
But luckily, there are Wagamama options where you won’t have to ditch your jeans.
The Grilled Chicken Noodle has 504 calories and is still a hearty dish of marinated chicken breast and ramen noodles in a rich chicken broth with peas and spring onion
Or, pack in some veggies and just 451 calories with the Salmon Wagamama Koyo Bowl, which is a little salad-like.
However it’s more like the best, most colorful salad you’ll ever eat – with mixed leaves, salmon, beetroot, carrot, cucumber, radish, edamame beans, sunflower seeds and red chilli and miso dressing with tofu dressing cream.
Pizza Hut
7
You’ll struggle to enjoy a whole pizza at Pizza Hut with less than 500 calories.
However, you can have two slices of a single Hawaiian Pan Pizza for 332 calories.
Not a fan of pineapple-on-pizza? Choose three slices of thin crust single top chicken for 450 calories.
Single pan and thin crust pizzas are your best bet here if you’re watching the calories, with a stuffed crust having lots of calories and fat.
Can’t resist the stuffed crust? Two slices of Single Crust Stuffed Pepperoni from Pizza Hut come in at 442 calories.
Pizza Express
7
Another popular pizza joint, Pizza Express, is like the Prada pizza of the street.
But naturally, with pizza comes a whole stack of calories.
Choose the chain’s Leggera pizza. These basically have a hole in the middle, which is filled with salad, so you have less of the pizza to eat.
Pollo ad Astra (chicken with a hint of spice) is still on the higher side at 667 calories per pizza, but the vegan Padana has a slimmer 554 calories.
And, while Pizza Express dough balls are delicious, some of the Garlic Butter Dough Balls have 450 calories.
If you can’t resist, choose dough balls for the table.
This way, you can still indulge without overdoing it.
