The 500 Calorie Diet and Eating Out (Page 2 of 2)

The answer is yes, it is possible to have a healthy meal that’s filling and less than 500 calories. For example, Applebee’s has a Weight Watchers menu that includes delicious entrees that are carefully planned to satisfy and nourish the body. They have seven choices to select from (plus, one dessert) each prepared with wonderful herbs, spices and a load of healthy vegetables as sides.

Let’s take a look at these Weight Watcher’s menu specials and their total calories per meal.

This is one of my husband’s favorite. The dish comes with seasoned grilled chicken breast served in a garlic herb sauce and coupled with steamed herb potatoes and broccoli; only 370 calories.

If you want less calories because breakfast was your main meal or dinner will be, the classic beef broth Onion Soup au Gratin comes loaded with caramelized onions. It is then topped with a croûton and reduced-fat cheese; only 150 calories.

This is one of their new menu items. It’s a grilled chicken breast on top a bed of fresh spinach, tossed with red onions, roasted red peppers, sliced fresh mushrooms and reduced-fat cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. It is then served with a chili-lime vinaigrette dressing; only 250 calories.

If you enjoy meat and potatoes, the Steak & Portobello dish is delicious and includes a flame-grilled sirloin steak. It is fixed to your specifications and comes topped with sliced, sautéed portobello mushrooms and a savory brown sauce. You’ll enjoy some tasty steamed herb potatoes and broccoli on the side; 330 calories.

This is one of my favorites. It’s the grilled Cajun-seasoned tilapia fillet flavored with lime juice and topped with a nice array of black bean & corn salsa. It comes on a bed of rice pilaf with a side of broccoli. I love this dish! Only 310 calories.

This dish is perfect if you’re craving Mexican food. The tender chipolte-roasted chicken comes with reduced-fat mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, corn, red peppers and red onions, all grilled within a wheat tortilla and topped with non-fat cilantro ranch dressing. It comes with a delicious red salsa; only 480 calories…note, you only get 20 more calories in the day if you’re sticking to a 500 calorie diet!

This is another one of my husband’s favorite Weight Watcher’s specials. It is a grilled, marinated chicken breast topped with sliced portobello mushrooms, a slice of tomato and chunky marinara sauce. It is served on a wheat bun along with fresh fruit. If you crave bread, this might hit the spot with only 360 calories.

Need dessert? This scrumptious chocolate dessert is covered in a light cream cheese glaze and drizzled with raspberry sauce. It really satisfies your need for a sweet.

If you plan it right, you can enjoy a piece of fruit for breakfast with a slice of bread, depending on the calorie intake and a yogurt, almonds and fruit or vegetables for dinner.

A 500 calorie diet is possible if you plan it well, but remember doctors do not recommend such a low intake calorie diet. It's best to eat between 1,200 and 1,800 on a diet. There are some great and healthy choices available from partipating restaurants that include the Weight Watcher’s point system on their menus. Here's a good link with menu points: http://www.healthdiscovery.net/restaurants/index.html.