It turns out there are some situations in which pancakes are the "better" choice. Belgian Waffles contain almost three times as many calories and five times the fat as one pancake, says Rania Batayneh, MPH, a nutritionist, eating strategist, and owner of Essential Nutrition for You. "Extra butter in the recipe makes the edges perfectly crispy, while the fluffy insides are perfect for absorbing sugary and caloric toppings like butter, syrup, whipped cream, fruit compotes—even ice cream."
One plain waffle can contain up to 500 calories and 21 grams of fat, a number that can easily double (even triple) depending on your topping selection.
What to order instead: A single pancake. If you've got to have something sweet, go for a more portion controlled serving with pancakes—and order whole wheat if they're available. (And go easy on the butter and syrup!)
