According to a report by the Hudson Institute of over 20 of the largest restaurant chains, those establishments that offered more lower-calorie food and beverage options had a 5.5 percent increase in sales compared with a 5.5 percent decrease among chains offering fewer healthier options over a 5-year period. The report looked at chains such as Applebee’s, Olive Garden, McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Taco Bell. “Consumers are hungry for restaurant meals that won’t expand their waist lines, and the chains that recognize this are doing better than those that don’t,” said Hank Cardello, a lead author of the report.
As a strong proponent of consumer choice, this is a classic example of the power of the credit card. By repeatedly frequenting those restaurants that have a variety of healthier options, patrons are sending a strong message as to what they want to see on the menu. If the restaurant delivers, they will come back and bring their credit card with them.
So what are some of the more popular healthier options that folks keep coming back to order? Here are the tops picks from several chains:
Applebee's
Napa Chicken Portbello Zesty Roma Chicken and Shrimp
450 calories, 12 grams fat 410 calories, 11 grams fat
Olive Garden
Venetian Apricot Chicken
400 calories, 7 grams fat
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| Photo Source: Olive Garden |
Wendy's
Half Size Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich
w/ Pomegranate Vinaigrette 400 calories, 10 grams fat
340 calories, 18 grams fat
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| Photo Source: Wendy's |
McDonald's
Fruit and Maple Oatmeal Honey Mustard Grill Snack Wrap
290 calories 250 calories
4.5 grams fat 8 grams fat
Have you tried any of these lighter restaurant options? What did you think?
Fruit and Maple Oatmeal Honey Mustard Grill Snack Wrap
290 calories 250 calories
4.5 grams fat 8 grams fat
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| Photo Source: McDonald's |
Have you tried any of these lighter restaurant options? What did you think?
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