PEI WEI ASIAN DINER

Last evening I had a dinner at Pei Wei Asian Diner.  In the past I have eaten there many times, although not recently.   As a creature of habit, when I was a regular customer, I ordered the very same thing each time: PAD THAI w/STEAK.    Up until the time that I started crafting this blog entry - I had no idea that the total calories in that meal was 1570 CALORIES!.   I certainly had no idea that the sugar content was 65g.

Last evening this creature of habit - found a new habit.   I ordered a different meal.  I ordered an ASIAN CHOPPED CHICKEN SALAD and TWO (2) SPRING ROLLS.   Even after adding the calories in the salad and the two (2) spring rolls - the total calories were only 690.   Even after the sugar contents together - the total sugars were only 6g.

The 2014 version of me always ordered the 1570 CALORIE MEAL

The 2015 version of me last evening ordered a 690 CALORIE ALTERNATIVE MEAL.

(and I had to order two different menu items to get to that level of calories!)

It is the NEW decisions like these that lead to weight-loss and/or successful maintenance.

CONCLUSION: RESTAURANTS ARE NOT BAD.  BAD CHOICES ARE BAD.

                    PAD THAI w/STEAK   ASIAN CHOPPED CHICKEN  QTY 2 SPRING ROLLS
CALORIES               1570                                            470                                         240                            
FAT                              41g                                             16g                                        10g
CHOLESTEROL      220g                                              15g                                         0g
SODIUM                 6500mg                                       540mg                                    600g
CARBS                     207g                                                37g                                       26g
FIBER                        15g                                                 6g                                          2g
SUGARS                    65g                                                 6g                                         0g                                        
PROTEIN                   71g                                               46g                                         6g

When I realized how much sugar was in 1 (one) order of Pad Thai - I wondered how much sugar was in an entire pint of BEN & JERRY'S CHERRY GARCIA ICE CREAM.   This is another product that I cheerfully ate in the 'old days.'   Although the packaging indicates that a one pint container contained four (4) servings - I always found that ridiculous.  With my old lifestyle - a one pint container was good for exactly ONE SERVING!

BEN & JERRY'S CHERRY GARCIA ICE CREAM - NUTRITIONAL FACTS

Each of the alleged serving sizes in Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia has 23g of sugar.  For someone like me, who always would eat a whole pint at one sitting - I would have consumed 92 grams of sugar.

OK, when one is eating sweet ice cream I guess one would expect that it might be packed with sugar.

When one goes to a restaurant and orders Pad Thai - they might not quite realize that the sugar they are consuming in that one meal is quite as high as it is.

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 Sunday MENU

breakfast   TWO APPLES, KIND BAR (almond & coconut)            350 calories
lunch         SEAWEED RICE CHIPS,  Granola, Medjool dates         1275 calories
dinner       PEI WEI ASIAN Chopped Chicken Salad, two spring rolls  710 calories
SNACK    LEMON SNACKAROONS                                                    800 calories

total calories consumed 3135 calories

calories burned

HOME STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL 35 minutes, level 20                     833 calories
five minute break
HOME STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL 35 minutes, level 20                     911 calories

CALORIES BURNED 1744 CALORIES

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Saturday net calories 1391 calories

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this came from the Pei Wei website...

Fresh Dishes. Fresh Sizes. Fresh Prices. It’s a best of all kinds of worlds kind of thing.

You see, combining the BOLDEST FLAVORS and the freshest ingredients is what we do—and love. It’s why each dish is HANDCRAFTED fresh and fast to fit into your busy life. And why you’ll never see microwaves or heat lamps at Pei Wei—ever, ever, ever. It also means you can CUSTOMIZE YOUR MEAL in endless ways. So steam it, spice it, pretty much anything it. Simply ask and you shall receive. Because it’s your world. We just wok in it.

AT PEI WEI, IT’S WEI BETTER

FINAL COMMENT FROM ME:  This is a good restaurant with fresh tasty food - but it pays to know something about the calorie content before you order - that is, if you care about that kind of thing....

my fit FOODS

My latest 'discovery' is 'my fit FOODS'  
This is a wonderful place to pick up a prepared lunch or dinner,  ready to eat.

This establishment opened in my neighborhood nearly two years ago. Up until now I had no particular reason to visit.  Things are different now.  On Friday, my wife and I went into this store for the first time and discovered an establishment that stocks 60 different nutritious meals each with detailed nutritional information printed right on the packages.  Virtually every meal looked delicious.   All the meals are packed ready to go.   The place also has an ample amount of tables for those who want to eat right there. We have tried two meals so far, and each was both low calorie and vey tasty.  The person who assisted us at the store said that all of the meals on display are made in the kitchen right on the premises. This chain has locations in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, California and my home state of Illinois.  

Yesterday for lunch, my wife and I split the 'Lean Lemon Turkey.' It was much spicier that I had expected - but very tasty.  On Friday, right after my appointment with the doctor we split the 'Asian Flat Iron.'   The Asian Flat Iron tasted like a gourmet meal that one could have been served at any fine restaurant.

Lean Lemon Turkey All natural lean ground turkey seasoned with garlic, onions and citrus, served with parboiled rice and asparagus. ($8.50)

Asian Flat Iron Asian spiced flat-iron steak with broccoli strings, carrots and broccolini. ($9.50)

Now that I have discovered 'my fit FOODS' it occurs to me that their must be similar businesses throughout the country that I need to discover.   The more that I learn about the healthy food options available to me, the easier and easier it becomes to eat healthy when traveling. 

SATURDAY MENU

breakfast  cup oat meaL, prune, 2 poached eggs, two strips turkey 'bacon'           355 CALORIES

lunch         1/2 container myfitFOODS LEAN LEMON TURKEY, chicken broth 270 CALORIES

dinner        3.5 oz. salmon, spinach, ginger dressing, chicken soup, asparagus      365 CALORIES                                                                               

total calories consumed 990 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

6M   elliptical machine  30 minutes 425 calories

3PM elliptical machine  30 minutes 430 calories

total calories burned 855 CALORIES

NET CALORIC CONSUMPTION    135 CALORIES

LUNCH: Honestly, I don't think my photograph properly captured this very tasty lunch
(half container of 'my fit FOODS' Lean Lemon Turkey) and CHICKEN BROTH
270 CALORIES

BREAKFAST: Following my doctor's advice: adding oat meal & a prune to my diet 
(It won't be hard, the steel cut oat meal was something I'd never had before, I liked it)
355 CALORIES