Saturday, October 16, 2010

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 11)



One


I've been tracking my calories with the Lose It app on my phone. I went to Wendy's the other day with 2 of my girls and ordered a 1/2 size Baja Salad.  I am sooooo glad I did.  When I looked up the calories later, (obviously, I should have done this first) I discovered that a full size Baja salad has 740 calories.  What the...! Like a good friend of mine said, "When I found that out, I almost crapped my pants!" 


Two


My guardian angel must have had my back because I ordered a 1/2 size and they didn't give me the tortilla chips or the dressing, saving me 200 calories right there.  


Three

That makes me mad enough to write a letter to Wendy's. I mean, that has more calories than my favorite sandwich, the Spicy Chicken.  I could have a spicy chicken sandwich a fries for 830 calories, and I have!


Four

I cannot believe that I have eaten 830 calories for lunch in my life.  That is AWFUL!  Even if I just had the sandwich its 440, which isn't the worst thing, but not the best choice either. 


Five


In case you can't tell, I'm on a health kick.  I'm trying to make healthy food choices, not just because I'm trying to lose weight, but because I want to have a healthy body.  I can't go around eating chocolate ice cream and fried foods and expect my body to function at optimal levels.  No wonder I felt exhausted for so long.  


Six

Ultimately, I am responsible for what I put in my body, but it does make me angry that when I think I'm making a healthy choice by ordering a salad with seemingly healthy ingredients, I could, in fact, be making a worse choice than ordering a cheeseburger.  It makes me wonder about the people who design these menus.  It seems very irresponsible to me that they should put on their salad menu something with more calories than anyone but Michael Phelps needs at lunchtime. 


Seven

I am not in favor of laying all the blame for the obesity problem on fast food restaurants, lest you misunderstand.  Like I said, the individual is ultimately responsible.  I don't feed my kids Happy meals on a regular basis (and incidentally, I don't buy them for the toy, it just happens that it's cheaper to buy the meal than the individual parts) But consider that a person trying to make a healthy choice, orders salad, leaves off the dressing is still going to end up 640 calories.  Leave off the chips and your still at 540 calories.  Not as bad, but a lot for most salad eaters.   A little truth in advertising wouldn't hurt, might even help.
 


Visit Jennifer at Conversion Diary to read more Quick Takes, or even better, share your own!

2 comments:

  1. AMEN!! When I was trying to lose weight I had a fastfood calorie counting guide to all those places we just might go to if we're out. It helped a TON and was very eye opening! I came to the conclusion that I would just always have a slimfast bar in the car with me for those situations when hunger hit and I couldn't be home. That really saved me!! Now I look up before we go out on dates, dinners, etc...and pick out ahead of time what I'm going to eat by looking at their nutritional facts. Funny, my children even know the calorie facts and nutritional info of how they choose when we do eat fastfood. Our bodies are the Lord's temple to work through. If we're not keeping it at optimal levels and glorifying Him with it, He can't possibly work through it like He would like to! Sorry, you wrote about my biggest pet peeve in our society....I'll stop now... ;) (my favorite fast food choice - Taco Bell Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco! 135 calories!) OH, Biggest Loser has a place on their website where it tells you what the healthiest choices are at all the major fast food restaurants. I live by that guide! Enjoy your quest for health!!

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  2. Congratulations on taking the steps to eating healthier. I too am on this journey.

    This is my take on the whole "calorie" thing. I look at nutrition more than calories. Reason being....you can eat lots of low-cal, non-nutritious food that is not healthy and contains additives, preservatives, hormones, anti-biotics, high fructose corn syrup, white sugar, white flour, and the worst ingredient of all....artificial sugar. Also, anything with caffeine helps keep the weight on. (I have to give up my coffee...soon!!) ;o)

    Seriously, please do not just look at calories. Good fats are good for you: olive oil, avacado & coconut oil are a few. If you eat a salad that is higher in actual calories, but filled with truly nutritious foods, you'll be OK, and your body will thank you (as long as you don't spend the day sitting, which I'm sure you do not.) ;o)

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