Ryan's is a popular steakhouse chain that operates locations across the country. Ryan's offers a buffet as well as a variety of menu items. As with any restaurant there are both healthy and unhealthy options available, the key is being able to choose wisely.
Salad Bar
The salad bar is an excellent place to start when choosing a healthy meal at Ryan's. Fresh greens, raw vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and carrots, and fresh fruit are low calorie, low fat options that are great choices. Pre-mixed salads such as ambrosia salad, waldorf salad, potato salads and pasta salads generally include mayonnaise making them higher in both fat and calories. These should be consumed in limited quantities. Dressing choice is also important when building a healthy salad. Ryan's offers a variety of low-fat and light dressing choices. Creamy dressings such as ranch, honey mustard and french are generally higher in fat and calories. Vinaigrettes and italian dressings are better options.
Soups
Ryan's offers a variety of soups. These options can be combined with a salad for a total meal or a small portion can be consumed as a meal starter. When calculating calorie levels for these soups, calculations were based on a four-ounce serving size. French onion, chicken tortilla, vegetable beef, and italian sausage and bean soup are among the best soup options, packing only 40 or 50 calories per serving. Potato and cheese soup and New England clam chowder are among the worst choices supplying 120 and 150 calories respectively in a mere four ounces. Calorie levels can increase when additional toppings such as cheese, bacon bits and croutons are added.
Main Dishes
Main dishes can be a large source of fat and calories, especially if served buffet style. Pasta dishes such as stroganoff and alfredo are cream based making them less than healthy choices. Breaded and fried meats are another unhealthy option. Grilled lean meats such as chicken, salmon and shrimp are the healthiest option available. Steaks can also be chosen as a main dish although it is very important to trim all visible fat from the cut before eating or to have the restaurant do so for you.
Side Dishes and Bread
There are a variety of both healthy and unhealthy side dish choices available at Ryan's. Vegetables such as sauteed zucchini, carrots, seasoned green beans and steamed corn are excellent choices. Baked potatoes can be a good side choice as long as extra toppings such as cheese and sour cream are not used in excess. Sweet potatoes and roasted red potatoes are better options if potatoes are a desired side choice. Options such as macaroni and cheese, french fries and fried okra are higher in calories and should be avoided if a healthy meal is the goal. Breads can be very high in calories, especially those such as corn muffins and yeast rolls. A slice of loaf bread such as wheat, pumpernickel or rye are the lowest calorie choices.
Desserts
Desserts are major sources of calories and the desserts offered at Ryan's are no exception. However, if the dessert bar cannot be avoided there are some semi healthy options. An ice cream cone filled with vanilla frozen yogurt is the best option, supplying only 95 calories total. The pies, cakes and bars offered by Ryan's weigh in between 200 and 300 calories for only a small piece.
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