Eating Healthy at LongHorn Steakhouse

LongHorn has been serving great-tasting grilled steaks for more than 30 years. Today, there are over 350 restaurants located in 33 states where you can enjoy a wide variety of grilled favorites. LongHorn has a stated commitment to sustainability and they support that commitment by building efficient restaurants as well as ensuring increased energy, water and waste management efficiency. When ordering meals away from home, we suggest aiming for a complete meal containing 500 calories and 15-20 grams of fat or less. Here are some tips to help you meet this goal next time you head out for a feast from the grill.

When dining away from home, Portion size is key for keeping your nutrient intake in check. One way to enjoy your favorite dish while saving calories and fat is to eat at lunchtime instead of dinnertime, since lunch portions tend to be smaller. Several great choices for lunch at LongHorn include the Mixed Green Salad with Grilled Salmon (490 cal; 24 g fat; 600 mg sodium), the Cowboy Pork Chop (200 cal; 7 g fat; 800 mg sodium) or the 6 oz. Renegade Top Sirloin (380 cal; 23 g fat; 520 mg sodium).

If dinner is when you decide to eat out, plan on only eating half of the entree and taking the rest home or sharing your entree with a friend to keep your nutrient intake in line. Several of your better entree choices for dinner would be Sierra Chicken (410 cal; 12 g fat; 1,240 mg sodium), 7 oz LongHorn Salmon (290 cal; 13 g fat; 300 mg sodium) or the Redrock Grilled Shrimp (130 cal; 1.5 g fat; 1,690 mg sodium).

Be careful when selecting side items to accompany your entree selection, as sides can easily double your nutrient intake. Aim for smart selections like Fresh Seasonal Vegetables (90 cal; 4 g; 350 mg sodium), Fresh Steamed Asparagus (80 cal; 4.5 g fat; 55 mg sodium) or a Mixed Green Side Salad (110 cal; 4.5 g fat; 200 mg sodium) with Fat Free Ranch Dressing (45 cal; 0 g fat; 560 mg sodium).

Appetizers are typically high-calorie and high-fat "extras" that can sometimes be selected as an alternative for an entree, but are best avoided as the start to a meal. Here are several appetizer options that would make suitable entrees: Chilled Shrimp Cocktail with cocktail sauce (190 cal; 1.5 g fat; 1,010 mg sodium), Bowl of Authentic Ranch House Chili (210 cal; 14 g fat; 390 mg sodium) or Bowl of Shrimp & Lobster Chowder (250 cal; 10 g fat; 870 mg sodium).

It's also important to watch the nutrients in kids meals-- kids don't need fattening meals any more than the adults! Guide children toward entree options like the Grilled Chicken Salad (270 cal; 9 g fat; 190 mg sodium), Grilled Chicken Tenders (140 cal; 2 g fat; 150 mg sodium) or the Kid's Sirloin (210 cal; 9 g fat; 265 mg sodium). Instead of French Fries, encourage healthier sides like the Fresh Fruit (45 cal; 0 g fat; 0 mg sodium) or Kid's Broccoli (35 cal; 1 g fat; 15 mg sodium). Instead of soda or other higher sugar options, encourage a 1% Milk Chug (110 cal; 2.5 g fat; 130 mg sodium) instead.

You can find complete nutrition information on the LongHorn website.