Trade in the bad, for good :)

        I love going out to eat. I love being with my family and friends and enjoying good food. I knew when I started my change, eating at resturants would be difficult. However, it turned out to be rather simple. I wanted to share this tip right in the beginning, because I know a major myth about changing your life-style is, you can no longer go out to eat, or grab a quick bite between classes or get your favorite drink from starbucks-NOT TRUE! You just have to do your research.
        I have not found one resturant that I enjoy to not have their calories posted somewhere online. My tip is, PLAN. Before you go out, just go online, look at the menu, pick what you want to have and check the calories of that item. I have put together a list of my favorite places to eat, or to just grab a drink. I looked up what I used to eat there, and the calories and what I eat now and the calories. I want to show how much healthier you can eat if  you trade in the bad for the good. This is one of the best things you can do so you can still enjoy yourself, eat what you want, and stick to your change! Here are just a few examples-

Dunkin Dounts-
Traded a- Medium Vanilla Iced Coffee, light with cream and two sugars (300 cals)
for a - Medium Iced Coffee, light with milk and one splenda (50 cals)
Saves- 250 cals.

Traded a- Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on a plain bagel (510 cals)
for a - Eggwhite and Cheese on an english muffin (270 cals)
Saves- 240 cals.

Starbucks-
Traded a- Grande Caramel Frap (390 cals)
for a - Grande Iced Green Tea, sweetened (80 cals)
Saves-310 cals.

Mcdonalds-
Traded a- Quarter Pounder w/ Cheese & fries (890 cals.)
for a - Caesar salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette (260 cals)
Saves-630 cals.

Traded- Two Chocolate chips Cookies (320 cals)
for a-Fruit and Walnuts Salad (210 cals)
Saves- 110 cals.

Panera-
Traded a- Bacon Turkery Bravo w/ Chips (990 cals.)
for a- BBQ chopped chicken salad W/out Tortia strips, W/ bread on the side (540 cals)
Saves-450 cals

Applebees-
Traded an- Apple Walnut Chicken Salad  (1000 cals.)
for an- Asiago Peppercorn steak W/Veggies and Potatoes (390 cals)
Saves-610 cals.

Chilies-
Traded a- BBQ Girlled Chicken Salad (1050 cals)
for a- Guiltless Caribbean Salad  (550 cals.)
Saves-500 cals.

Ruby Tuesday-
Traded a- Chicken and Broccoli Pasta  (1560 cals.)
for- BBQ Chicken W/ White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli (550 cals)
Saves-1010 cals.


        As you can see, you can still eat at the same places you love, just A LOT healthier. I hope this inspires you to really look at what you are eating, especailly if you are trying to make changes for your health.