As mentioned in my previous post, I am not one to endorse restaurants that are cookie cutter or considered "fast food". But, also as I mentioned, since my cancer diagnosis I have dramatically changed my lifestyle through major diet changes and more exercise. I also have a stronger connection to the needs of my mind and my body.
I realize that I am not in the majority when it comes to shifting my lifestyle and making better choices. And, sometimes you just need to grab something quick and easy when you are on the go. So, I have decided to examine the menus of a couple of popular restaurants to see how their menus hold up to nutritional scrutiny.
In my last post, we looked at Wendy's nutrition. Wendy’s is considered the "healthier" choice as far as fast food is concerned. They prove this with the information they provide on their website and their overwhelming focus on providing the facts about the food that they sell. This is a great step and shows that they have some integrity.
In this post, I will take a look at Applebee's nutrition facts to determine if there is anything on their menu worth mentioning as a "healthy" food option.
While Applebee’s does offer several options from a 550 calorie menu, none of them are vegetarian. They all include either steak or chicken and appear to be drowning in cheese. Not very appetizing if you are lactose intolerant or don’t eat meat.
Unfortunately, Applebee’s salad nutrition is not much better. The choices available all include meat and/or cheese. I would have to ask for a salad sans the meat or chicken, dressing and cheese. If you have any dietary restrictions at all, you know how uncomfortable it can be to ask for adjustments to what is available on the menu. In the case of Applebee’s nutrition, I would have to ask for quite a few adjustments. Some places make it easier than others to grab something healthy. Applebee’s does not seem to be one of the easier ones.
When I try to find a “nutrition” section of their website, Applebee’s nutritional facts are non-existent. There is not one piece of information on their site dedicated to providing their customers with the facts about the items available on their menu. This is a big no-no. In my opinion, if a restaurant does not want you to look at their nutrition information, it cannot be good.
In today’s world, there is such a huge focus on nutrition. It seems like some establishments are missing the boat if they don’t address the growing concerns of their customers. If Applebee’s wishes to be straightforward with their customers about the value of their menu choices, they need to step up and provide some nutritional facts.
Sorry Applebee’s but if I were driving by one of your restaurants and Wendy’s was next door, I would not hesitate to skip the Applebee’s and grab something quick at Wendy’s.
