Gentler orders
Fried foods and very spicy foods bother some people. If that's you, menu words can help you spot them before you order. If you have symptoms that concern you, ask your prescriber; this page is only about reading menus.
See orders near you
TableMacros uses these same published numbers to show orders at restaurants near you. Finding an order is free in your phone's browser.
Open TableMacros, freeMenu words to watch
FDA's consumer guide notes that foods described as creamy, fried, breaded, battered, or buttered are typically higher in calories than foods described as baked, roasted, steamed, grilled, or broiled.
Easy asks
- Grilled instead of fried or crispy, when the restaurant offers both.
- Sauce, dressing, or cheese on the side.
- Mild instead of hot, or spice on the side.
- A steamed or grilled vegetable side in place of fries.
When the menu doesn't say
Names don't always tell you how something is cooked. If you're unsure, ask how it's prepared. If a restaurant publishes fat numbers, those can help too.
Talk to your prescriber about what is right for you.
Sources
- FDA, "Calories on the Menu: Information for Consumers". www.fda.gov