Lose Weight and Dine Out: A Guide to Making Smarter Choices at Cracker Barrel Restaurant
Written by Courtney McMahan, RD
A holiday staple for many people, Cracker Barrel is known for their decadent breakfasts and southern-fried entrees. But do they offer healthy options? Here are five menu items you can choose at Cracker Barrel when you are trying to stay on track with your nutrition goals.
Good Morning Breakfast
Nutrition Facts: 260 calories, 38g protein, 11g fat, 2g carbohydrate
Cracker Barrel is probably most famous for serving breakfast all day. Most of these
menu items include the high-calorie foods typically associated with a traditional southern American breakfast: pancakes with syrup, biscuits smothered in gravy, greasy sausage and bacon. But the Good Morning Breakfast provides a healthy option for those days you’re craving breakfast for dinner. Scrambled egg whites and turkey sausage provide plenty of protein, while the sides of fresh fruit, sliced tomato, and grits replace more calorie-dense sides like fried potatoes.
Source: Cracker Barrel
Spicy Grilled Catfish
Nutrition Facts: 260 calories, 38g protein, 11g fat, 2g carbohydrate
Choosing a lean protein is one of the most important components of a healthy meal, and the grilled catfish is one of Cracker Barrel’s lowest calorie, lowest fat, and lowest sodium options. By choosing this entree instead of the Southern Fried Chicken, you save yourself 1,380 calories, 89 grams of fat, and 76 grams of carbs.
Homestyle Chicken Salad with Smoky Southern Grilled Chicken Breast
Nutrition Facts (without dressing): 470 calories, 46g protein, 21g fat, 22g carbohydrate
This salad is packed with fresh veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, and greens. The smoky southern grilled chicken and colby cheese provide plenty of protein and flavor. The salad is topped with crunchy sourdough croutons. For dressing, opt for their balsamic herb vinaigrette, which adds only 170 calories per serving.
Vegetable Soup
Nutrition Facts: 170 calories, 6g protein, 2g fat, 33g carbohydrate
Great for an appetizer or a side, this vegetable soup is the lowest calorie soup option Cracker Barrel offers. At under 200 calories per bowl, you’ll save yourself over 700 calories, 60 grams of fat, and 20 grams of carbs by choosing this option instead of the clam chowder.
Signature Single Cheeseburger
Nutrition Facts: 570 calories, 33g protein, 30g fat, 37g carbohydrate
Though it may come as a surprise, this cheeseburger is actually one of the lighter options on the menu. It is lower in calories than most of the sandwiches that Cracker Barrel offers. Opt for a side of veggies instead of fries, and you’ve got yourself a relatively balanced restaurant meal!
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