When it comes to choosing a low calorie meal, appearances can be deceiving. We're challenging you to guess which of the following three meals has the lowest calories. Take a look at the images and make your pick now:
- Image 1: A fresh green salad with grilled chicken, loaded with veggies and a olive oil honey mustard dressing.
- Image 2: A dish of loaded potato wedges topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions.
- Image 3: A hearty plate of steak, broccoli, and mashed potatoes.
Now, see if you picked right, as this Wellness Article highlights which meal has the lowest calories and explains why it's the healthiest.
The Big Reveal: Which is the Lowest Calorie Meal?
Most people might assume that the basic salad with grilled chicken (Image 1) is the lowest calorie meal. Surprisingly, that's not the case! Despite its appearance, this seemingly light salad actually packs the highest calorie count out of the three meals. You might have thought the loaded potato wedges has the most calories, but now you know that isn't the case. However, it still has the second most calories, which means the steak dinner is the lowest calorie option!
Highest Calorie Meal to the Lowest Calorie:
1. Green Salad with Grilled Chicken:
While salads are often considered the go-to healthy option, they can sometimes be calorie traps. The grilled chicken salad, depending on its toppings and dressing, can quickly add up in calories. Here’s why:
- Dressing: Many salads come with dressings that are high in calories and fat. A standard serving of ranch or Caesar dressing can add up to 200 calories or more per serving.
- Toppings: Cheese, croutons, and even nuts or dried fruits can contribute a significant amount of calories.
- Chicken: While grilled chicken is a healthy protein source, the portion size matters. A large serving can add more calories than expected.
2. Loaded Potato Wedges:
The second lowest-calorie meal is the loaded potato wedges, which might seem like an indulgence, but they can sometimes be lower in calories than a seemingly healthy salad. Here's why this option is lower in calories:
- Portion Control: Often, the portion size of potato wedges is smaller than the large salads served in restaurants.
- Simple Ingredients: While they are topped with cheese and bacon, the calorie count per serving can be less than a heavily dressed salad.
3. Steak Dinner:
The lowest calorie meal, as mentioned, is the hearty plate of steak, broccoli, and mashed potatoes. Here's why it's so low in calories, and therefore, the "healthiest:"
- Balanced Meal: This meal offers a good balance of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates.
- Simple Preparation: If the steak is grilled and the mashed potatoes are made with minimal butter and cream, this meal can be surprisingly moderate in calories.
- Protein Packed: This meal will keep you feeling full and satisfied because of the protein, which will also provide your body with a boost of energy.
So, did you pick the right meal?
Why Having a Coach is Essential
If you selected the steak dinner as the healthiest/lowest calorie meal, congratulations! If you were surprised by this results, it might be worth working with one of our Personal Health Coaches. A coach can help you navigate meals, especially these unknowingly tricky decisions and teach you how to make better choices when dining out. Specifically, our coaches can help you:
- Identify Hidden Calories: A coach can educate you about hidden calories in seemingly healthy foods. They’ll teach you to look beyond the surface and understand what makes up the calorie content of a meal.
- Control Portions: Portion control is crucial. Your coach can provide you with strategies to manage portion sizes, ensuring you don’t inadvertently consume more calories than intended.
- Develop Strategies for Eating Out: Dining out doesn’t have to mean abandoning your health goals. Your coach can offer tips on how to modify meals, what to ask for, and how to balance your intake over the day to accommodate an indulgent meal.
- Customize Meal Plans: Based on your preferences and lifestyle, a coach can help you create custom meal plans that allow you to enjoy a variety of foods without feeling deprived. They can show you how to enjoy your favorite dishes in a healthier way, as nothing is off limited on our Weight Loss Plans!
Knowledge is Power
The next time you’re trying to decide which is the healthiest meal, remember this blog and the surprising calorie counts of these common meals. Having a knowledgeable coach by your side can make all the difference in achieving your health and weight loss goals. They’ll provide you with the insights and strategies you need to make informed choices, ensuring you’re not stuck eating plain old boring salads all the time.
If you're on one of our Weight Loss Plans, reach out to your coach if you have questions about a certain meal. They will help you select a meal if you're dinning out, and help you identify the allotments for it. If you're not on a plan, we can still help guide you through these complexities and help you enjoy a balanced, satisfying restaurant meal. Simply book a Free Consultation to discuss your restaurant menu and select a meal based on your preferences and wellness goal!
