I don’t eat out much anymore.
I used to. I used to love to call up the husband and tell him to pick something up on his way home from work. I really used to love fast food, restaurant food.. anything I didn’t have to cook. I still likely do, it’s just that I have a far different outlook on it now.
Now I realize it’s usually not worth it.
One of the best things about how I’m eating now is that I’m eating so often, I’m rarely hungry hungry. Trust me, if I don’t get my 3pm snack or my 10 am snack in, my stomach lets me know… but when those hunger pangs strike, I can look at the clock and say “oh, that’s ok I can eat in about 20 minutes.” It’s much better than trying to go those long 5-6 hour stretches without food.
Eating out takes that away from me.
Instead of a light lunch and a snack a few hours later, I usually have to pool my snack and lunch calories together in order to find something fitting. It makes me panic a bit. See, I’m still afraid I’m going to go back to my old ways of eating. It likely won’t happen, but I obviously have a problem with food and 7 weeks of watching myself with occasional “splurge days” during family functions isn’t going to cure me of that problem. And sure, I exercise now, but… what if I eat so much I don’t want to do that either!! (Yeah, I’m not sure if the fear is healthy but it does keep me on track.)
So yesterday my sister calls me up and wants to know if I’ll go to lunch with her on Friday. Sure! Where are we going? The answer? Red Robin. At first I’m thrilled. There are few things I love more than the banzai burger from Red Robin. It’s savory AND sweet. YUM! So I get on the website and pull up the information for this beauty.
yep, that calorie count is accurate
After a mild panic attack at the crazy amount of calories I’d been consuming without realizing (and I’d have those bottomless fries on top of that!), I realized Red Robin allows you to customize any burger, even on their website. So, I substituted in a Boca burger (thank you Red Robin for that option), nixed the cheese and the 1oz of mayo they throw in there and suddenly the burger is down to 513 calories.
Totally doable.
It just makes me wonder though, why on Earth are we selling burgers that contain over 1000 calories? Who needs a burger with that many calories? Honestly? Any more, I’m beginning to wish nutrition information had to be listed next to every restaurant menu item. I believe I would have made much wiser decisions in the past. And while the information has likely been on the internet for a couple of years at least, I had the mentality of “it’s just a burger and a couple of fries.” In my wildest dreams, I wouldn’t have imagined the calorie count on that thing.
As for the fries tomorrow… no big deal. After my attempt to eat Arby’s curly fries, a once and former love of mine, and hating the greasy taste. The steak fries they serve at Red Robin, which I’ve never been a fan of should be easy peasy.
August 6, 2009
shrinkingirl
The Incredible Shrinking Girl 
32 responses to “And They Wonder Why Americans Are Getting Fatter”
Kelly
August 6th, 2009 at 09:04
Ouch, that calorie figure hurts…seeing as how I ate there not too long ago. I do think that restaurants have come a long way in offering healthy options…I just need to work on actually ordering them!
rsss101
August 6th, 2009 at 10:27
I’ve been snacking on tomatoes which is far more healthier. There’s always a healthier substitute. A fruit bowl and a smoothie or two is always better. It tastes great, too.
Brian Sullivan
August 6th, 2009 at 09:34
now I knew there was a reason I spend my money on veges ….. ouch, and fastfood chains claim they make healthy food?
Jack Blowbags
August 6th, 2009 at 09:36
Hi
I hate to say it but Americans are not getting fat. They are fat!!!
They are one of the obese nations in the world.
shrinkingirl
August 6th, 2009 at 12:48
Right.. and I’m not sure where you’re from but had I said “and they wonder why Americans are getting fat” your comment would make sense. As it stands, I said “and they wonder why Americans are getting fatter” which means they’re already fat.
missra
August 6th, 2009 at 09:44
So much American food relies on fat, as opposed to spices and seasonings, for it’s “good taste” (and I put that in quotation marks because I usually don’t think it actually tastes that good!). They cut out all but the most meager of fruits and vegetables, and even then those are not usually fresh and nutrient-rich (i.e. beneficial to our bodies). And then, to top it off, they make the portions HUGE! Because, in America, bigger is better, ya? So, after all that, like you say, they wonder why Americans are getting fatter.
Congratulations, by the way, on taking the time to care about yourself enough to make a change and watch what you are actually eating. Your body thanks you, I’m sure. 🙂 Go Shrinking Girl, go!
shrinkingirl
August 6th, 2009 at 12:49
Thanks so much!
missvforprez
August 6th, 2009 at 09:50
I love your blog! it’s great that you are documenting your struggle with food, as so many people suffer from this. Have you read that new book “The end of overeating”? I found it was a big help in really discovering how people and the industry approaches food. Keep up the good work! It will take time but eventually your body and mind will get used to a different eating pattern and style (I know, I lost 40 pounds! It took a whole year)
I write a blog about food and government regulations, check it out! eatingwithapurpose.wordpress.com
– Vanessa
wickle
August 6th, 2009 at 10:01
No one needs a 1000-calorie burger. Just like no one really needs a Hummer or to drink imported water out of plastic bottles.
Part of it is conspicuous consumption. We think that we can eat a 1000-calorie burger, so we do it even though it’s stupid. Heck, there are people who will do it just to spite those who point out the absurdity.
Bianca
August 6th, 2009 at 10:04
I think the reason people eat burgers with cheese and mayo is fairly simple. Because they like burgers with cheese and mayo.
shrinkingirl
August 10th, 2009 at 15:34
I never disputed or questioned this fact… I merely stated I would be eating mine without, not a hard thing to do since I’ve never really enjoyed mayo and I’ve started like enjoy cheese less and less. It wasn’t a question about why people enjoy such things at all. I obviously really enjoyed the 1000 calorie burger or I wouldn’t have said it’s my favorite….
Zoe
August 6th, 2009 at 10:11
I went to a Cheesecake Factory recently and saw that their portobello mushroom sandwich was over 1100 calories! And it’s not even that good! I need to learn to make my own portobello mushroom sandwiches.
munim
August 6th, 2009 at 10:11
wow.. it should be a criminal offense to serve food with that many calories to a single person. its almost like poisoning!
riddlej
August 6th, 2009 at 10:14
Great post. I have always wondered how I stayed thin at all (relatively) considering how many calories I ate eating out. When I went on a diet to lose 10lbs, I wondered if my metabolism was the problem. Now I realize that it must have been pretty great, burning off all those fries! Blugh.
Olivia
August 6th, 2009 at 10:15
I enjoyed reading your blog. I follow the No S Diet. Please visit http://www.nosdiet.com. I follow it and make my own modifications. I am a new vegetarian, so a boca burger is my only option at Red Robin! I previously lost 30 lbs on No S Diet. It came back on because I started working in a bakery around sweets and carbs all day (no more though), and I had a baby. So I am in the process of undoing that with the only thing, the simplest and easiest thing that has ever worked. Good luck!
2berrys
August 6th, 2009 at 10:21
Congrats on the “hawt” post and thanks for the eye-opening nutrition info on the typical restaurant burger. That’s insane.
shrinkingirl
August 6th, 2009 at 10:30
Thanks! Haha, had I known it was going to receive so much attention I likely would have spent more time on it!
helenaustin
August 6th, 2009 at 10:22
great Blog!
Have you heard about the 9 inch plate theory? It used to be a dinner plate but now it’s more commonly used as a side plate. We’re eating more because our plates are bigger!
The 9 inch dinner plate really does make you eat less!
Good luck… it’s worth it in the end. I used to tell myself – ‘Nothing tastes as good as being healthy and slim feels’.
threewinds
August 6th, 2009 at 10:22
How dare they serve ice cream! Someone should prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law! Those poor adults that they are serving these meals to! My goodness, how can you expect anyone to be responsible about their own lives?
Considering that we are the biggest, most stressed, fattest, laziest nation in the world, why have our lifespans gone up each generation? Why are we still among the very top of the lists in all nations for average life spans.
Stop the hand wringing. Order the burger if you want. Be fat if it makes you happy.
Different strokes for different folks.
Marianne
August 6th, 2009 at 10:24
I am very proud of you. As a former certified personal trainer and student of diet and nutrition, you are doing exactly what I would tell people to do over and over. But people don’t listen because we live in a society of immediate gratification. If you’re willing to be patient and you’re willing to do the work, you will have the reward. Keep it up!
Cate Franklyn
August 6th, 2009 at 10:24
Good for you and thank you for this post. I joined Weight Watchers back in April and I’ve so far lost 15 lbs. One of the things that WW teaches you is to keep track of what you are eating so you can see exactly how many calories you consume and you can really keep your weight under contro. My friends and I dine out alot and I always go to the restaurant website to see what they have and how I can slim it down to suit me and my new eating style. I like it. It’s fun.
kimmerz
August 6th, 2009 at 10:35
Hi, I’m doing a weight loss program called HMR and the dietitian who teaches it was telling us almost the same thing, except she used the example of how a Big Mac and large fries totals 1,000+ calories. It’s amazing to not eat out so much now and see how we can make things a lot healthier.
marypickford
August 6th, 2009 at 10:41
Coincidentally, I also went to Red Robin yesterday and I’m trying to watch my diet. They now have available the nutrition information in a little menu you can take to your table. It was definitely an eye opener. The burger you point out above isn’t even the highest calorie burger on the menu—that would be the Peppercorn burger, which is about 1400 calories. WITHOUT the fries.
My husband and I had fun calculating the highest calorie meal you could get: the Peppercorn burger (1400) + parmesan fries (around 700 calories I think), the tower of onion rings for the appetizer (another 1400), a raspberry shake (1000 calories), plus dessert (I can’t remember, but it was another 1000+ calories). 5500 calorie meal!!
I got a ensenada chicken plate, which was a marinated chicken breast with a green salad. 690 calories, which still seemed high to me, but at least within the realm of normal.
Bonnie
August 6th, 2009 at 10:43
Kudos to you for doing your research and finding an acceptable alternative!
The big problem with dieting is the idea that everything has to be given up to achieve your goals – when really education and moderation are the true keys.
I don’t kow if you’ve seen this yet, but Target has all 3 books – “Eat This, Not That”. A fantastic resource. And also seriously scary bedtime reading. 🙂
Good luck – it’s not easy out there.
gaeaphilia
August 6th, 2009 at 10:55
I’m surprised the Boca burger rang in at 513 calories. What are they cooking their burgers in?! I avoid fast food these days at all costs. I also like to go to lunch with friends, but I’m starting to wonder how many calories I’m consuming in those meals. Maybe the best alternative is to just have company over and you can cook together.
shrinkingirl
August 6th, 2009 at 11:00
Well, to be fair… it’s the boca burger, bun, teriakyi sauce, grilled pineapple, tomato and lettuce that’s 513.
gaeaphilia
August 7th, 2009 at 00:52
Ah, true. I eat a lot of boca burgers at home (I am an ovo-lacto-pescarterian) but usually just add some cheese and leave out the bread! BUT 513 calories is a lot better than 1000+ 🙂
shrinkingirl
August 7th, 2009 at 05:33
Yep! Much easier to manage and compensate for in my daily intake.
Cathy
August 6th, 2009 at 11:23
Great post!
I gained weight over the past several years and wanted to trim down a bit. I also was thinking ahead. I wanted to do what I could to have a healthy “old age”. My parents both had strokes and I wanted to do whatever was within my power to do to be healthy during the latter years of my life, if I live to see those years.
What I’ve done is change my eating habits. Hopefully this will be permanent. I do not want to go back to my old way of eating. Also, I came to the same realization that you did. Restaurant food is loaded with calories. I was shocked at what I had been consuming out of ignorance. No one to blame but me. I am now learning a whole new way to eat and I really really like it.
Some things I’ve learned …
I measure my portions. Never thought I would do this but it works.
I measure oil. Never did that before either. I always had a free hand and I have found using less does not compromise flavor.
I count calories at home and when I eat out so that I have an idea of what I am consuming. (i-phone/touch apps such as “lose it” are great.)
I gave up ice cream until I found low fat Fudgsicle’s (100 calories each). They taste like chocolate ice cream to me!
I often eat a big salad and/or an ample portion of a green vegetable with my dinner. These are low calorie/low fat foods that I like, and they fill me up so I don’t leave the table hungry.
After experimenting with low fat etc. salad dressings I didn’t like the taste of most. I found that 1/2 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (60 calories) and 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar (5 calories I think) on a salad tastes much better and still allows me to lose weight and eat healthy.
Grilled fish, chicken, and low fat pork tenderloin satisfies the hot dog/hamburger craving in me 🙂
I don’t eat as much pasta as I did in the past. Only once in awhile. When I do, I measure the amount and I add vegetables to fill out the dish.
I eat fruit and pretzels for snacks. A banana is quite filling.
Probably no one will agree with me on this one, but I found that vanilla yogurt satisfies the cheesecake craving in me.
That’s not to say that I never eat something that I shouldn’t eat, but if I do it’s the exception not the norm. That’s the big difference.
I started doing sit-ups (one or two and worked my way up). I started walking and riding a bicycle. I hadn’t been on a bike in years.
I must thank the Lord because I often prayed telling the Lord that I did not want to be sick in my latter years. I believe the Lord put the desire in my heart to do all this because believe me I was a couch potato, and a hamburger, fries and a coke person.
I’ll be 60 this month … so be encouraged, it’s never too late!
howbigspill
August 6th, 2009 at 13:01
Once you start looking, you’ll be amazed at some of the calorie and fat counts out there, not only at fast food joints but restaurants, too. Including Outback Steak House. On second thought, maybe you’d better no good looking. Do you really want to know? 🙂
Abby
August 6th, 2009 at 15:11
You’re blog is great! I can’t wait to read all about your successes!
Erin
August 6th, 2009 at 20:16
Thanks for the good thoughts and the great blog. I struggle with my weight but I weaken sometimes. It’s nice to know that we’re all fighting the same battle (and winning, a little bit at a time).
I’ve spent the summer working as a restaurant server, so I know what the restaurants think about giving huge portions. They say that customers never complain about getting too much food, so they give them a lot. That’s what it’s really about. And the more food you give per portion, the more you can charge per portion.
-Erin (http://rinth1989.wordpress.com/)