Low Calorie and Cheesecake Factory DO Mix

Many people think that going out to eat is the perfect way to ruin a healthy diet.  Some people also think it gives them an excuse to splurge, especially if they have no other choice but to go out for dinner (choice of a birthday girl).  Many resturants are becoming more health concious and adding healthy options to their menu, so no excuses allowed!   

Last week I went out to dinner for my friends birthday to the Cheesecake Factory.  The sound of "Cheesecake" and "healthy diet" don't seem to mix but because of their new Skinnylicious Menu, this popular resturant is becoming the choice of people who like to watch what they eat.  Burgers, pizza and tacos can now be eaten without one feeling guilty afterwards.  There are plenty of tasty choices to choose from on the healthy alternative menu with each item all under 600 calories. 

After looking at the menu and seeing choices such as, Crispy Crab Bites, Fresh Baked Flatbreads and BBQ Chicken, I finally decided to go with the  BLT Sandwich; bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo inbetween two pieces of toasted brioche bread.  The lettuce and tomato gave it a fresh crunch, while the bacon gave the sandwich an explosion of flavor.  The toasted bread also gave the sandwich extra texture.  This delicious sandwich, along with the side salad of tossed greens and vinagarette dressing, altogether contained 590 calories.  Even though my meal had fewer calories, it still was a full plate and filled me right up.

My friend, Caitlin DeMarco (aka Birthday Girl), ordered the Skinnylicious Hamburger that contained mayo, lettuce, onion and tomato.  Caitlin loved her 570 calorie meal and stated, "It had the same toppings on it as a normal burger so suprisingly it still had the full flavor of a normal burger."  570 calories is nothing campared to the Classic Burger my friend Britiany Privette ordered that contained 1305!  Even though everyone else that went to dinner with us didn't order from the Skinnylicious menu, we all enjoyed our meal.  I'm not sure what the restaurant does to make the items on their Skinnylicious menu healthy (and also tasty) like the items on the original menu, but they definitely do!

If you're like me and think this new menu can't get anybetter, think again! The Cheesecake Factory gives you the option to make certain drinks, such as a Cosmopolitan, Long Island Iced Tea, Sangria, Mojito and Margaritas, half the calories.  See your favorite cocktail? Ask for it to be made "Skinny Style" and your drink will arrive with less than 150 calories!
Sounds...  
  
and looks like heaven to me!