The Best 10 Healthy Restaurant Meals Under 500 Calories

Eating out at a restaurant is a pleasurable treat for the whole family. However, we should be mindful of the foods we consume and follow the balanced My Plate rule. For those of you who don’t know, My Plate consists of fruit, vegetables, carbohydrates, protein, and dairy. Most restaurant meals contain well over 1,000 calories; however, there are healthy options available too, so you can enjoy a meal out without feeling guilty. Most restaurants provide nutritional information, so you can really keep track of your calorie intake. We hope these healthy restaurant meals under 500 calories will satisfy your needs. If you are looking for more inspiration, then you might like these lunch meals under 300 calories.  In this article, we will take a closer look at choosing the best 10 healthy restaurant meals under 500 calories.

1. McDonald’s: Sausage Burrito Meal

Calories: 455

When you’re on the go and looking for a zesty meal under 500 calories, stop at McDonald’s and pick up a sausage burrito meal. Wrapped in a soft tortilla, you will find pork sausage, a lightly scrambled egg, green chiles, melted cheese, and onion. Furthermore, it comes with crispy hash browns and a small premium roasted McCafé coffee. This meal contains 15g protein, 25g total fat, and 44g of carbohydrates.

2. Jack in the Box: Grilled Chicken Salad

Calories: 275

The grilled chicken salad comes with iceberg, romaine, and spring mix lettuce, slices of cucumber, grated carrots, shredded cheddar cheese, and grape tomatoes. Served on the side are low-fat balsamic vinegar and seasoned croutons. It is then topped with grilled chicken strips. Furthermore, this salad contains 9.5g fat, 70mg cholesterol, 1130mg sodium, 28g protein, 5g fiber and 10g sugar.

3. Applebee’s: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Calories: 280

Applebee’s has quite a variety of meals that are under 500 calories. Their chicken tortilla soup has a divine creamy flavor and comes with veggies, shredded chicken, and crunchy tortilla strips. It contains 15g fat, 26g carbs, 11g protein, 2g fiber and 3g sugar. Add a Caesar salad, and you have a complete meal still within the 500-calorie limit.

4. Olive Garden: Spaghetti With Marinara Sauce

Calories: 290

Olive Garden is well-known for its amazing pasta dishes. The spaghetti with marinara sauce only contains 6g fat, 4g fiber, 50g carbs, 9g protein and 7g sugar. It is made with crushed tomatoes, parmesan cheese, onions, sweet basil, and garlic. It’s rich, creamy, and tastes fantastic. It is one of their lowest-calorie pastas. Furthermore, if you want to add meat sauce, the whole meal will have 360 calories.

5. Cheesecake Factory: Chicken Pot Stickers

For a light meal, these chicken pot stickers are a great choice. These crispy and soft wonton wrappers are stuffed with vegetables and ground chicken and served with a delightful umami-packed ginger sesame soy sauce. Order a side of green beans for an extra 140 calories for a bit more fiber. The whole meal contains 31g protein, 14g fat, 1g fiber, 42g carbohydrates, and 14g sugar.

6. Chili’s: Classic Sirloin 10 oz

This classic 10 oz sirloin steak is seasoned and topped with garlic butter; it’s also available in 6 oz. It contains 55% protein, 2% carbohydrates, and 43% fat. Choose your choice of sides. To keep the meal under 500 calories, add asparagus for 35 calories or a house salad without dressing for 70 calories.

7. El Pollo Loco: Original BRC Burrito

Calories: 410

This 7.6 oz burrito contains rice, pinto beans, and grated Monterey Jack cheese, served on a 10″ floured tortilla. It contains 11g total fat, 15mg cholesterol, 13g protein, 63g carbohydrates, and 1000mg sodium. Furthermore, when you join the Loco Rewards Club, you can receive a free burrito through the app found on the Play Store.

8. Subway: Turkey Breast Sandwich

Calories: 475

Subway has a variety of sandwiches under 500 calories. Each sandwich includes fresh-grain wheat bread, lettuce, onions, cucumber, tomatoes, and green pepper. The 6-inch turkey breast sandwich contains 280 calories. Order an additional cold-cut combo salad with 180 calories and a 20 oz light lemonade with 15 calories, and you have just made a healthy lunch meal for under 500 calories.

9. Fazoli’s: Baked Italian Meatballs

Calories: 450

Who doesn’t like a good meatball? This super tasty and rich dish comes with five Italian meatballs with delectable marinara sauce. It is then topped with provolone cheese and mozzarella and baked.

10. Steak-Out: Tuna Tossed Salad

Calories: 310

For a pleasant lunch on a hot summer day, treat yourself to a tuna salad that contains tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, carrots, red cabbage, green peppers, eggs, and cheese. Opt for a fat-free Italian dressing that has only 15 calories.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mironov Vladimir/Shutterstock.com.

Up Next:

• 100 Snacks with 100 Calories or Less
• Fat Burning Foods
• Easy Family Dinner Recipes

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