You might be hesitant to step through the doors of your local Applebee’s restaurant. You’ve been dieting for months now, and you’ve successfully dropped more than 20 pounds. But you’re worried that once you gaze at that Applebee’s menu, you’ll crack. You’ll indulge on blue-cheese-covered chicken wings, nacho chips layered in cheese sauce and a steak that’s as heavy as a manhole cover. Well, relax. It’s time you got the inside scoop on Applebee’s nutrition.
Despite its reputation as just one more chain restaurant overfeeding hungry Americans with oversized portions, Applebee’s actually does a good job of providing lean, heart-healthy meals for customers who are trying to shrink their waistlines. In fact, Applebee’s has partnered with Weight Watchers, the most famous and well-respected weight-loss program in the country. The two institutions have combined to create Applebee’s Weight Watchers selections.
Each Weight Watchers selection is designed to be both tasty and low in fat and calories. Each of these menu items comes with a number next to it: This number represents the amount of Weight Watchers points that diners will consume should they order and eat that particular menu item.
Applebee’s also offers a number of salads from which diners can choose. Granted, these salads often come with fatty dressings, cheeses and sauces. But you can tailor any salad on the menu to transform it into a nutritionally sound lunch or dinner. You can ask for low-fat salad dressing or ask that the chef not include bacon pieces with your salad. Both moves will eliminate unnecessary calories and fat grams.
The restaurant even offers low-fat, low-calorie but high-flavor desserts. This is key: Many diners do well throughout their meals, but then crack when it comes time to ordering a dessert. By providing Weight Watchers-approved desserts, Applebee’s helps diners avoid this fate.
It’s not easy to lose weight. It’s especially difficult to do it while eating at most chain restaurants. Applebee’s, though, is the exception. This particular chain restaurant caters to its diet-conscious diners. And that’s the real news on Applebee’s nutrition.