Eating Healthy at Bob Evans

"Down on the farm" is the motto at Bob Evans, but the dishes here rely more heavily on animal products than fruits or vegetables. This homestyle restaurant specializes in breakfast items and old-fashioned favorites like grandma used to make. While homestyle often means heavy fare, you can find some lighter choices at Bob Evans if you know where to look.

• Some of the breakfasts here will blow your entire calorie budget for the day. For a healthier morning meal, order grits or oatmeal, yogurt and fruit, or something from the Fit from the Farm Breakfast menu.
  
  
• If you like omelets, order yours with egg substitute and plenty of vegetables. Skip the greasy meats, ask for less cheese and skip the sauces that come with them.
  
  
• Bob Evans is known for its sausage, which is tasty but high in fat and calories. If you are craving meat, order just a single sausage patty (133 calories, 12 g fat, 313 mg sodium), sausage link (140 calories, 11 g fat, 184 mg sodium) or strip of bacon (36 calories, 4 g fat, 54 mg sodium).
  
  
• Many of the salads are oversized and full of calories. The Cobb salad, for instance, has almost 700 calories and 46 g of fat--without dressing. While salads are nutrient-rich compared with French fries, calories still count. When ordering any Bob Evans salad, choose the new, smaller savor size with vinegar & oil, Lite Ranch or Hot Bacon dressing on the side.
  
  
• Most sandwiches have more than 500 calories and 20 g of fat. When selecting a sandwich, choose a half sandwich like the Half Chicken Salad or Half Turkey Bacon Melt or the Grilled Cheese or Grilled Chicken sandwiches. Be sure to skip the fries on the side.
  
  
• Dinner selections can get quite high in calories, fat and sodium. Selecting items a la carte will save you calories, but may cost more money. Remember to avoid the fried entree options, and ask for sauces or gravies to be left off or served on the side.
  
  
• There are many healthy side items, including a plain baked potato, fruit cup, applesauce, green beans, carrots, or broccoli florets. Select a dinner roll instead of a biscuit to save 9 g of fat and 70 calories--but stick with just one and bring any extras home to eat later.
  
  
• A cup or bowl of soup can be a filling a lower-calorie selection, so be sure to inquire about the soup of the day. Most contain fewer than 300 calories and less than 10 g of fat. (The exceptions are the Cheddar Baked Potato and the Sausage Chili.)
  
  
• Check out the Kids Menu as well as the Senior Menu for portion control. Many restaurants do not stick to the age limit printed on the menu, so ask your server if you can order from these menus.
  
  
• Bob Evans provides nutrition info on its website.