The 10 Worst "Healthy" Picks at the Food Court
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If you're watching the scale, avoiding conventional fast food is a smart option. But sometimes, holiday shopping, never-ending errands, and packed days mean a pit stop at the food court is the most tempting option. Before you order, though, beware: many times, the "healthier" foods can actually rack up more calories than the burger-and-fries option! While it's true that calories aren't the only part of your food you need to take into consideration — no one says opting for a fatty, sodium-filled burger is better than fresh vegetables — if you're trying to lose weight, experts recommend sticking to a well-balanced meal that's around 500 to 550 calories. These so-called "healthy" meals, all found on nutritional data aggregate MenuStat, don't fit the bill. Check out 10 calorie bombs you should be wary of the next time you stop for a quick bite. Source: Instagram user jlau2128
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Noodles & Company Spinach and Fruit Salad
Calories: 650
The spinach and fruit salad from Noodles & Company gets points for the antioxidants and other nutrients this salad offers, but you'll have to add 180 to 210 calories if you want to bulk it up with filling protein like tofu or chicken.
McDonald's Southwest McWrap
Calories: 670
If you're opting for a McWrap over a burger to save on calories, choose wisely. The crispy-chicken-filled McWrap has over 200 more calories than a similar option: the grilled Chicken and Bacon McWrap (460 calories).
Burger King Apple and Cranberry Salad
Calories: 680
This Burger King salad has the same amount of calories as a Whopper with cheese.
Wendy's Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad
Calories: 780
You may already know just by looking at it that this creamy, crouton-topped crispy chicken salad isn't exactly low calorie, but it may surprise you to know that it's actually one of the highest-calorie offerings at Wendy's — just 40 calories less than the half-pound Dave's Hot 'N Juicy double-patty burger.
Jack in the Box Southwest Chicken Salad
Calories: 744
Croutons, Southwest dressing, and fried chicken rack up the calories in this Jack in the Box salad. Steer clear of the salad with ranch dressing (761 calories) — both have more calories than a Spicy Chicken Sandwich (600 calories).
Au Bon Pain Newport Turkey Sandwich
Calories: 770
This unassuming turkey sandwich from Au Bon Pain looks healthy, but its calorie count may surprise you!
Panera Sierra Turkey
Calories: 810
This turkey sandwich from Panera Bread is one of its highest-calorie entrées. It's even more calories than the chain's cheese tortellini in alfredo sauce (780 calories).
Pei Wei Spicy Chicken Salad
Calories: 990
This Asian-style salad is almost 1,000 calories, and even swapping the fried chicken topping won't make it that healthier. The same salad with steamed chicken is still 820 calories.
Baja Fresh Veggie Quesadilla
Calories: 1,260
Steer clear of the fat-laden quesadillas and tostada salads at Baja Fresh: all are over 1,000 calories per serving. Instead, opt for the Baja Bowl, which includes veggies, cheese, rice, beans, and salsa and is only 580 calories.
Quizno's Honey Mustard Sub
Calories: 1,300
Even if you skip the chips, you're still getting double the amount of calories you need for lunch. Even the chain's Turkey Club Lite clocks in at 770 calories, so keep an eye on calorie counts when you order.