Healthy Restaurants In Tracy-Applebee's Review

"There are NO healthy restaurants in Tracy" my wife Veronica told me one day...

"What are you talking about, there are plenty of healthy restaurants here" I said.

"Ok, where?" she asked.

I thought for a minute and said "What about Applebee's?"

"There's nothing healthy at Applebee's" she replied.

"I'll bet if you look carefully you'll find some healthy options" I told her.

So, off we went to Applebee's in Tracy.

Now, I like a big, juicy burger as much as anyone and at times I allow myself a treat like that but Veronica and I like to go out to eat sometimes when it's a "clean eating" day.

I'm a firm believer that you can find a healthy option at just about any restaurant anywhere you go. Who wants to be confined to their home just because you don't want to eat junk food?

You can eat out at a Tracy restaurant like Applebee's and keep your diet clean.

And, Tracy's Applebee's has quite a variety of healthy options.

My favorite is the one I suggested to Veronica that we should order...

"Ooohh, check this out!" I said. "Steak and Portobello's"

Veronica's eyes opened up as she read the description:

a 4oz flame-grilled sirloin steak topped with Portobello mushrooms and brown gravy served with steamed veggies (broccoli and carrots) and herb potatoes


It doesn't sound like a whole lot of food but man did it satisfy our appetites.


Here's the breakdown of the dish:

• Calories: 330
• Fat: 10g
• Fiber: 8g
• Estimated Weight Watchers Points: 7

Another healthy dish at Applebee's is the Grilled Teriyaki Steak & Shrimp Skewers

• Calories: 370
• Fat: 7g
• Estimated Weight Watchers Points: 5

They also offer a variety of healthy chicken salads at Applebee's although some are very calorie dense.

However, here a some tips to reduce the calories and fat so you can enjoy just about any Applebee's salad:

-Many salads come with meat, eggs, croutons and dressings which can add a lot of unnecessary calories.

A better option is to order the half-size option Applebee's offers rather than the full-size

-Many salad dressings contain 200 calories or more for just 2 tablespoons and a lot of restaurant salads are drowned in a good 1/4 cup or more. That takes a healthy dish and turns into a high-calorie, fattening meal instead.

Instead, ask for the dressing on the side and lightly dip each bite or simply order a reduced calorie, reduced fat or fat free variety if available.

-It's easy to assume that any salad is healthy. But, a lot of restaurant salads contain hidden calories in dressings and depending on how the meat is prepared.

Order grilled chicken or shrimp salads and avoid anything that says "fried". You'll not only save yourself the calories but your heart will love you for it as well.

So, fear not. You can enjoy some delicious foods at Tracy restaurants without blowing your diet.

Leave me a comment below and let me know what you think of my review.

Also, if you'd like me to review another healthy restaurant in Tracy let me know.