In the sixth part of our series on eating at chain restaurants, we take a look at Outback Steakhouse. Check out part five, where we examine McDonald's.
G'day Mates! Outback Steakhouse has been in the headlines in this case before. Men's Health scored the Bloomin' Onion as the worst food for you a few years back and since then Outback has stepped up their healthy-menu options. In addition, they are one of the best and most accommodating restaurants for patrons with gluten sensitivities. However, there are still some items you should be avoiding on the menu. Let's take a closer look at the do's and don'ts of the Outback Steakhouse.
DON'T EAT: The Bloomin' Onion
The most popular appetizer--er, Aussie-tizer--to share is the Bloomin' Onion. It's also the worst. Brace yourselves: all told it wallops the waistline at 1,959 calories, of which 1,450 are from fat. It's like deep fried fat. Add the bloom sauce for dipping and we are talking over 170 grams of fat.
INSTEAD EAT: If you want to munch on some appetizers, try the Ahi Tuna (small portion). At only 413 calories, it's a great, healthy option full of taste, omega-3s, and 17 grams of muscle-building protein.
DON'T EAT: No Rules Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Scallops
Don't be fooled by the pasta choice at Outback. The No Rules Pasta clocks in at an unlucky 1,313 calories, 70 grams of fat, and 81 grams of carbs. The creamy parmesan sauce really is the culprit here.
INSTEAD EAT: Instead opt for the Grilled Chicken on the Barbie which is a fit and lean 305 calories and puts on lean muscle at 57 grams of protein and only three from fat. By far my favorite menu item, the Grilled Chicken is the way to go instead of the No Rules Pasta.
DON'T EAT: The Porterhouse
The steak lover's steak does not respect your goal to lose those 15 pounds by beach season. This hunk of beef is 1,009 calories, marbled with 641 from fat. Thirty-one grams of saturated fat also do more to make this steak less appealing.
INSTEAD EAT: If meat is on your mind, may I suggest the six ounce Outback Special. At only 254 calories and only 13 grams of fat, the six ounce special is chock full of 37 grams of protein. Aside from the Grilled Chicken, this is the next best thing on the menu to help refuel and rebuild muscles after a good day at the gym.
DON'T EAT: The Bloomin' Burger
What happens when you combine the worst appetizer with the worst sandwich? You get the Bloomin' Burger, and you need to steer clear. 1,029 calories and 1,766 milligrams of sodium make you want to avoid it. Seventy-one grams of fat doesn't do much to make it any more enticing.
INSTEAD EAT: If you want a sandwich, the Grilled Chicken and Swiss has about half the total fat and over one-third less calories. Pair it with a baked sweet potato for a protein and carb-packed dinner that will help to repair and grow muscle fibers.
DON'T EAT: The Chocolate Thunder From Down Under
This sinfully sweet dessert clocks in at 1,554 calories with 949 coming from fat. Don't eat this dessert! You'll regret it at the gym on Monday morning!
INSTEAD EAT: If your sweet tooth is getting the better of you, opt for the classic cheesecake. At a fifth of the calories and all of the taste, you won't regret indulging your sweet tooth on that.
The Outback can sabotage your eating plan, but if you just pay a little mind to what you're ordering, you should have no problem finding something tasty and good for you. Make sure you take a look at their nutrition information beforehand.
G'day Mates! Outback Steakhouse has been in the headlines in this case before. Men's Health scored the Bloomin' Onion as the worst food for you a few years back and since then Outback has stepped up their healthy-menu options. In addition, they are one of the best and most accommodating restaurants for patrons with gluten sensitivities. However, there are still some items you should be avoiding on the menu. Let's take a closer look at the do's and don'ts of the Outback Steakhouse.
DON'T EAT: The Bloomin' Onion
The most popular appetizer--er, Aussie-tizer--to share is the Bloomin' Onion. It's also the worst. Brace yourselves: all told it wallops the waistline at 1,959 calories, of which 1,450 are from fat. It's like deep fried fat. Add the bloom sauce for dipping and we are talking over 170 grams of fat.
INSTEAD EAT: If you want to munch on some appetizers, try the Ahi Tuna (small portion). At only 413 calories, it's a great, healthy option full of taste, omega-3s, and 17 grams of muscle-building protein.
DON'T EAT: No Rules Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Scallops
Don't be fooled by the pasta choice at Outback. The No Rules Pasta clocks in at an unlucky 1,313 calories, 70 grams of fat, and 81 grams of carbs. The creamy parmesan sauce really is the culprit here.
INSTEAD EAT: Instead opt for the Grilled Chicken on the Barbie which is a fit and lean 305 calories and puts on lean muscle at 57 grams of protein and only three from fat. By far my favorite menu item, the Grilled Chicken is the way to go instead of the No Rules Pasta.
DON'T EAT: The Porterhouse
The steak lover's steak does not respect your goal to lose those 15 pounds by beach season. This hunk of beef is 1,009 calories, marbled with 641 from fat. Thirty-one grams of saturated fat also do more to make this steak less appealing.
INSTEAD EAT: If meat is on your mind, may I suggest the six ounce Outback Special. At only 254 calories and only 13 grams of fat, the six ounce special is chock full of 37 grams of protein. Aside from the Grilled Chicken, this is the next best thing on the menu to help refuel and rebuild muscles after a good day at the gym.
DON'T EAT: The Bloomin' Burger
What happens when you combine the worst appetizer with the worst sandwich? You get the Bloomin' Burger, and you need to steer clear. 1,029 calories and 1,766 milligrams of sodium make you want to avoid it. Seventy-one grams of fat doesn't do much to make it any more enticing.
INSTEAD EAT: If you want a sandwich, the Grilled Chicken and Swiss has about half the total fat and over one-third less calories. Pair it with a baked sweet potato for a protein and carb-packed dinner that will help to repair and grow muscle fibers.
DON'T EAT: The Chocolate Thunder From Down Under
This sinfully sweet dessert clocks in at 1,554 calories with 949 coming from fat. Don't eat this dessert! You'll regret it at the gym on Monday morning!
INSTEAD EAT: If your sweet tooth is getting the better of you, opt for the classic cheesecake. At a fifth of the calories and all of the taste, you won't regret indulging your sweet tooth on that.
The Outback can sabotage your eating plan, but if you just pay a little mind to what you're ordering, you should have no problem finding something tasty and good for you. Make sure you take a look at their nutrition information beforehand.
Ryan Barnhart, MS, PES, is a certified Performance Enhancement
and Injury Prevention Specialist through the National Academy of Sports
Medicine (NASM). He also holds a master's degree in exercise science, as
well as a bachelor of sport management, both from California University
of Pennsylvania. Ryan has worked with numerous collegiate and amateur
athletes across many different fields. Ryan also has had the opportunity
to work with several professional athletes. Recently he has worked with
amateur and professional athletes within the emerging sport of Mixed
Martial Arts.
Ryan is currently the director of fitness at a 700+
member gym near Pittsburgh, PA. He enjoys working with weekend
warriors, athletes, and everyone in between. You can contact Ryan at [email protected].
