Diet-Friendly Choices at Chili's

Relax with these healthy choices for the entire family.

by Robin Vietta-Miller, M.S.

A night out for the family does not have to mean a night off your diet. A look at Chili's menu proves the chain restaurant is not only family-friendly, but also diet-friendly. Chili's offers dishes for every member of the family, including the pickiest of eaters. Of particular interest is their "Guiltless Grill" menu with mouthwatering meals for folks watching their calorie and fat intake. Flavor and selection aren't neglected, just calories and fat grams.

It's easy to find healthy choices for kids, too. Chili's offers an excellent children's menu. Sure, they have the old standbys (mac 'n cheese, pizza, burgers, corn dogs, chicken nuggets, fries), but they also offer more nutritious, delicious selections such as penne with or without marinara sauce and grilled chicken (sandwich or platter). The side dishes are excellent, too: black beans, rice with bits of vegetables, corn on the cob, steamed broccoli, cinnamon apples and mashed potatoes.

• Guiltless Chicken Sandwich
  A warm, sesame seed bun is coated with sweet-n-savory, no-fat honey mustard dressing and then topped with seasoned and grilled chicken breast, lettuce, tomato and pickle. Chili's amazing (and slightly spicy) black beans and steamed vegetables with Parmesan cheese are served on the side.
  Calories 490
  Fat 8g
  Saturated Fat 2g
  Carbohydrates 63g
  Fiber 11g
  


• Guiltless Salmon
  Crammed with protein and heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, an 8-ounce salmon fillet is seasoned and seared to moist perfection. Served with Chili's delicious black beans (savory black beans in a rich thick sauce topped with diced tomato, green onions and cilantro) and steamed vegetables with Parmesan cheese.
  Calories 480
  Fat 14g
  Saturated Fat 3g
  Carbohydrates 31g
  Fiber 10g
  

* Applebee's, Arby's, Burger King's, Chick-fil-A, Chili's, Dairy Queen's, Denny's, Kentucky Fried Chicken's , Pizza Hut's, McDonald's, Taco Bell's, and Wendy's are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. SHAPE's use of these trademarks are for informational purposes only and are not intended to imply any endorsement by or affiliation with any particular trademark owner.