Chili’s Grill & Bar- Swimming in Sodium
My biggest weakness- Chilies Chips and Salsa! I could eat the whole basket is two seconds if I don’t watch it! ! ! Eating healthy at restaurants can be extremely doable if you prepare in advance and know exactly what you are getting.
Skipping out on the chips and salsa is one thing I just can’t do, but I can eat a small snack before heading out so that I have self-control to eat only a handful of them and then stop. Also checking online before will give you a good idea of the nutrition facts… pick a plate before you go.
Here are some great healthy picks when eating at Chilis:
Appetizers
AVIOD THIS:
Kickin’ Jack Nachos w/ Fajita Chicken: 1340 calories, 92g fat, 3610g sodium
EAT THIS:
Bottomless Tostada Chips w/ Salsa: 470 calories, 39g fat, 2790g sodium
Wings
AVOID all together
All wings are over 1200 calories, 80g fat, and 1880g sodium
Salad
AVOID THIS:
Quesadilla Explosion Salad: 1270 calories, 76g fat, 2650g sodium
EAT THIS:
Side Salad House no dressing: 210 calories, 12g fat, 310g sodium
Soups
AVIOD THIS
Baked Potato 1 Bowl: 510 calories, 35g fat, 1790g sodium
EAT THIS:
Chicken Noodle 1 Cup: 60 calories, 0.5g fat, 580g sodium
*** Most all soups are low in calorie, but extremely high in sodium!
Sandwiches
AVIOD THIS:
Smoked Turkey Sandwich: 960 calories, 55g fat, 1790g sodium
EAT THIS:
Fajita Pita Chicken: 460 calories, 13g fat,1400g sodium
*** Ask for dressing on the side
Create Your Own Combo Meals w/o Sides
AVOID THIS:
Half Rack of Original Baby Back Ribs: 490 calories, 34g fat, 2050g sodium
EAT THIS:
Spicy Garlic & Lime Grilled Shrimp: 170 calories, 11g fat, 1090g sodium
Chicken
AVOID THIS:
Crispy Honey-Chipotle Chicken Crispers: 1930 calories, 108g fat 4390g sodium
EAT THIS:
Margarita Grilled Chicken: 680 calories, 14g fat, 2430g sodium
Big Mouth Burgers
AVOID ALL
These bad boys can add up to 1750 calories, 123g fat, 3860g sodium! ! !
Fajitas
AVOID THIS:
Buffalo Chicken Fajitas w/o tortillas: 1090 calories, 77g fat, 5240g sodium
EAT THIS:
Classic Chicken w/o tortillas: 370 calories, 11g fat, 2000g sodium
*** WOW… and that’s the lowest sodium level for all fajitas!
Kids Meal
AVOID THIS:
Country Fried Chicken Crispers: 560 calories, 37g fat, 1600g sodium
EAT THIS:
Grilled Chicken Platter: 150 calories, 1g fat, 690g sodium
Ribs
AVOID ALL
The sodium in these bad boys range anywhere from 2050g to 4780g
WOW!!! I just can’t get over how much sodium is in every single plate at Chilies!
Can’t someone just pass a law on limiting nutritional content within plates?!?!?!
Tags: Chili's Grill and Bar, Diet, Food, Healthy Alternatives, Nutrition Facts, Restaurant, Sparkpeople, Weight loss, Weight Watchers
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:42 am
I looooooooooooove the chips, I could eat those everyday all day. I usually get the chicken breast sandwich with honeymustard and no cheese. That’s probably bad still…
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 am
Thanks for the suggestion
Great post about chilis!
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
[...] Chili’s Grill %26 Bar- Swimming in Sodium My biggest weakness- Chilies Chips and Salsa! I could eat the whole basket is two seconds if I don’t watch it! ! ! Eating healthy at restaurants can be extremely doable if you prepare in advance and know exactly what you are getting. Skipping out on the chips and salsa is one thing I just can’t do, but I can eat a small snack before heading out so that I have self-control to eat only a handful of them and then stop. Also checking online before will give you a good idea of the nutrition fa Up? 0 Comments Leave a Comment [...]
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:11 am
Great info,thanks! I can’t belive how much sodium is in some of these dishes…wow!
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Glad you posted this. I was going to go to Chili’s for my bday dinner next week!
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
LOL swimming in sodium makes me think of the ocean.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
i have actually never been to a chilis before, ever! but the sodium is a little outrageoussss if i do say so myself! thanks for the facts girlie
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
i’ve also never been to Chili’s… but yah.. I am always astounded by the sodium in restaurant and processed foods. RIDICULOUS!!
Thanks for your comment on my blog today. I’m totally encouraged, and ready to KICK this weight to the curb!
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Yikes. It’s not just the sodium…all of these nutritional stats are alarming! I love Chilis, too!
Sodium is actually something that I am not hyper-aware of. I should probably start to think about it more, especially since I have a “salt tooth.” Thanks for the reminder!
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I hate that the most innocent sounding meals are loaded with sodium too!!
The grilled chicken platter is actually pretty good
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Holy Moly! Just another confirmation on our decision to save restaurant meals for special occasions! And even then, to be careful in what we pick! I’m reeling from shock!
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I just went to Chilis this weekend and got the Black Bean burger. The choices on the guiltless menu were not that great. The burger filled my belly but left me unsatisfied. And it has a whopping 1790 mg of sodium!
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
It’s crazy how unhealthy “healthy” sounding meals can be at restaurants. It’s really deceiving, and many people think they’re being healthy by ordering salads. But that’s usually not the case! I LOVE that fajita salad – so if I get it I modify it in a healthy way. I also love that fajita pita & and it’s pretty low in calories! I never do pay attention to sodium, but looks like I should!
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
You really need to warn readers about these posts, especially with the images. Thanks for the warning though. Just don’t tell me anything about The Cheesecake Factory, Green Mill or especially Biaggi’s. If you have anything bad to say about Biaggi’s, so help me…..
Good stuff, keep the info coming!
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Great recommendations! I think Mexican food is the most difficult to make “lighter”. Whenever I have clients who say they are going to a Mexican restaurant I always warn them against it unless they have some seriously good self-control. Even a small taco has about 250 calories, and NO ONE just get’s one taco. Not to mention the sides, the chips, and the drinks, it adds up.
August 3rd, 2009 at 5:01 pm
holy crap. Too much information I don’t want to know! A 1250 kcal SALAD?!
August 3rd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I am not sure that eating ahead of time would help me with chips and salsa. I don’t seem to be able to exhibit any self control with that.
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Thanks for the comments on my blog! I happen to love Chili’s as well so this will definitely come in handy!
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Wow, the calories, fat & sodium in these dishes are truly shocking… I like your recommendation of checking out the restaurant you’ll be going to online and to decide what you’ll get. I find that I make MUCH better choices when I go out to eat with a “game plan!”
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:15 pm
YIKES!! This is why I HATE eating out. I try to check calories online whenever I can!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I would for sure go into cardiac arrest after eating that crap. I could hear it now, “CLEAR!” Isn’t that what they say before they shock you with the crash cart paddles?
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:47 pm
The good news is I found most of the better selections more appetizing… The bad news is I am now craving lime & garlic prawns and it’s only breakfast time
August 4th, 2009 at 4:40 am
I’ve never been a huge fan of Chili’s and I think this post just made me take them off my list of places to go rather permanently. I doubt I’d have found anything to eat there anyway.
August 4th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Wow I never knew these Chilli dishes were soooo packed with calories!!I try to eat a handful of almonds before I walk in to places like this..Im a big chip and salsa gal as well. Figtreeapps
August 4th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
It’s crazy the amount of sodium that are in restaurant foods!
August 4th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Hi!! It is pretty crazy how bad for you Chili’s food is….Shane (my hubby, who is a manager at Chili’s) and I talk about it a lot….Good call on the Margarita Chicken, Shane ate that everyday at work for 2 months (instead of other things) and he lost 30 lbs!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 11:27 am
eye opener! hello sodium! I hate how restaurants feel they need to ladle everything with butter and salt to make things taste good. I always get the fajita pita
-kristen
March 1st, 2010 at 8:39 am
[...] know I do… those Chili’s chips and salsa from are gone in 2 seconds if I don’t take my mind off cruise [...]