When dining out, many people opt for salads assuming they are the healthiest choice on the menu. However, many popular chain restaurants serve salads that pack a surprising number of calories, sometimes exceeding an entire day’s recommended intake. While daily calorie needs vary, a general guideline is 1,600 to 2,400 calories for women and 2,200 to 3,000 for men. Here are five chain restaurant salads that sound healthy but are loaded with hidden calories.
Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad
The Oriental Chicken Salad at Applebee’s is a popular favorite, but it comes with a hefty 1,550 calories. This dish features crispy breaded chicken tenders on a bed of Asian greens, crunchy noodles, and almonds, all tossed in a sweet Oriental vinaigrette. It is also served with a signature golden brown breadstick brushed with garlic butter, significantly boosting the calorie count.
The Cheesecake Factory BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad
The Cheesecake Factory is known for its massive portions, and the BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad is no exception, totaling a whopping 1,950 calories. This meal combines avocado, tomato, grilled corn, black beans, cucumber, and romaine lettuce. However, the heavy BBQ ranch dressing and crispy fried onions quickly turn this seemingly healthy option into a high-calorie meal.
The Cheesecake Factory Cobb Salad
Another high-calorie option is The Cheesecake Factory’s Cobb Salad, which contains 1,480 calories. Packed with chicken breast, avocado, blue cheese, bacon, tomato, egg, and mixed greens tossed in vinaigrette, the rich ingredients quickly add up. Any additional modifications or extra dressing can push this number even higher.
The Cheesecake Factory Santa Fe Salad
The Santa Fe Salad at The Cheesecake Factory offers bold flavors but also carries 1,670 calories. This dish features marinated chicken, corn, black beans, cheese, tortilla strips, tomato, and romaine lettuce, all tossed in a spicy peanut-cilantro vinaigrette. For many individuals, this single salad represents almost an entire day’s worth of calories.
Chili’s Quesadilla Explosion Crispers Salad
Chili’s Quesadilla Explosion Crispers Salad contains 1,420 calories, excluding any sides or drinks. With fried chicken tenders and cheese quesadillas layered on top of the greens, this dish functions more like a heavy appetizer than a light salad. The combination of fried elements and cheese makes it one of the most calorie-dense salads on the menu.
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