Knowledge is Power

After you read this post, you will hate me. I'm sorry. It has been fun having you as a reader. I understand if you no longer want to read my blog.


In case I haven't mentioned it before, back in 2004, I lost a bunch of weight. 50 pounds to be exact. I was pretty darn proud of myself as it was not an easy thing to do. I classify myself as a compulsive overeater. I just don't know when to stop so teaching my body to only eat a certain amount of calories per day and then stopping was a task.

One thing that helped me was knowing exactly what I was eating. It is easy to stuff your face with food if you have no idea how many calories and fat are in that item. Ignorance is bliss right? Well, ignorance has caused me to regain much of that weight. Sad Panda.

When I decided I needed to do something about my weight, I visited the menus of every restaurant that I liked. After checking out the calorie counts of some of my favorite dishes, I realize that I could no longer eat these foods on a regular basis...or at all. You would be shocked to know how many calories are in your favorite dishes from a variety of restaurants.

Spoiler alert: I am going to be posting calorie counts for many foods below. If you would like to remain in the dark, I suggest you click away. CLICK AWAY NOW!

Taco Bell:
Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes: 270 calories, 15 g of fat
Bean Burrito: 350 calories, 9 g of fat

Burger King:
Cheeseburger: 340 ca., 16 g fat
Small French Fries: 340 ca, 17 g fat

Pizza Hut:
1 slice of a medium cheese pizza: 230 ca, 9 g fat
1 slice of a medium meat lovers pizza: 330 ca, 18 g fat
6" personal pan cheese pizza: 640 ca, 27 g fat

Onto the real killers....restaurants:

Chilis
Skillet Queso with chips: 1070 ca, 37 g fat
Chicken Enchilada Soup: 220 ca, 14 g fat
Caesar Salad with chicken and dress: 1010 ca, 76 g fat (dressing alone is 350 ca and 37 g of fat for 2 oz)
For shock value, I am going to put the entree with the largest calorie count:
Chicken Crispers: (wait for it.....) 1880 ca, 130 g fat

As for you soda drinkers out there, here is a little something for you!
16 ounces...
Pepsi: 200 calories 54 grams of sugar
Mountain Dew: 220 calories, 62 grams of sugar
Root Beer: 240 calories, 62 grams of sugar

In every 20 ounce soda, there is 1/4 cup of sugar. Yum!

I left a lot of places off of the list because I am too lazy. But I challenge those of you who want to make 2009 their healthiest year to look at those nutritional facts. This doesn't mean you can never go out to eat but think about those numbers and make smart choices. There are smart choices!

Good luck!