Shared by aquariumdrinker
Not Feeling So Good in the Neighborhood?
Dishes targeted to health conscious consumers at popular chains like Chili's, Taco Bell and Applebee's contained as much as twice the calories and eight times the grams of fat than the restaurants claimed in their published nutrition information, a Scripps Television Station investigation revealed.
From March to May this year, Scripps stations tested food in eight different cities from chains that cater to calorie counters by offering special, health-conscious menus -- a growing segment in the restaurant industry.
In the case of the Chili's sample, that information didn't square with the calorie and fat test. A serving of the chain's "Guiltless Grill" salmon contained 35 grams of fat -- two and a half times as much fat as the restaurant claimed (14 grams), according to the food analysis.
Taco Bell's products also contained more calories than the company claimed. Its "Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco" had four times as much fat and almost twice as many calories as advertised. The steak taco is supposed to have 4.5 grams of fat and 160 calories; testing showed it to actually have 20 grams of fat and 297 calories.
Also at variance is Applebee's, which has teamed with WeightWatchers to create a special menu. Several items -- including the "Cajun Lime Tilapia," "Steak and Portobello," and "Garlic Herb Chicken" -- had twice as much fat as the company claimed.
