The restaurant I selected is Pollo Tropical, and the meal I chose was the Grilled Chicken Cuban Sand ...
The restaurant I selected is Pollo Tropical, and the meal I chose was the Grilled Chicken Cuban Sandwich with a side of Caesar salad and a cup of unsweetened iced tea. The grilled Chicken Cuban sandwich had 960 total calories, 510 of which come from fat, and had 19 g of saturated fat and 251 mg of sodium. The side dish had 210 total calories and 180 calories from fat; it had 4g of saturated fat and 320 mg of sodium. My drink had a total of 10 calories and no fat calories, saturated fat, or sodium. Overall, this meal has 1180 total calories, with 690 of those calories being from fat, 23 grams of saturated fat, and 571 milligrams of sodium. I feel this is a good meal choice in terms of sodium content, but I am worried about the calories. The daily recommended intake is 1500 mg, and my meal only hits 571 mg. This is only a third of what's recommended, making it a healthy option to keep sodium levels low. However, the daily recommended intake of calories is around 2000, but this meal goes over half of that. This can make it an unhealthy option for calory management. Reference: Menu. Pollo Tropical. (n.d.). https://www.pollotropical.com/menu Pedro Martinez Martinez Oct 28 12:30pm Reply from Pedro Martinez Martinez For this assignment, I selected Chili’s Grill & Bar, known for its flavorful, hearty meals. I focused on the Surf & Turf Ribeye, which combines a steak topped with shrimp and garlic butter, served with loaded mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. While the dish is protein-rich, it is also high in sodium and fat, making it a more indulgent choice. Meal Components and Nutritional Breakdown Table Component Calories (kcal) Sodium (mg) Total Fat (g) Saturated Fat (g) Protein (g) Surf & Turf Ribeye 690 2,280 41 17 78 Loaded Mashed Potatoes 350 1,100 12 5 6 Coca-Cola (Soft Drink) 150 35 0 0 0 Total 1,190 3,415 53 22 84 The Surf & Turf Ribeye meal packs a high amount of protein, supporting muscle maintenance and overall health. That said, it also contains a hefty 3,415 mg of sodium, more than twice the daily limit recommended at 1,500 mg, according to Eleanor Noss Whitney and Sharon Rady Rolfes in Understanding Nutrition. Consuming too much sodium can raise blood pressure and heighten the risk of cardiovascular issues, which is why managing sodium intake, especially from processed or restaurant foods, is essential (Whitney & Rolfes, 2022). Dishes at Chili’s Grill & Bar are typically seasoned to enhance flavor, but that comes with trade-offs. Ingredients like loaded mashed potatoes and buttery steak add not only more sodium but also saturated fat. While this meal is indulgent, it’s best enjoyed occasionally rather than regularly if you're aiming for a balanced diet. A practical swap, opting for a side of steamed broccoli instead of loaded potatoes, could lower both sodium and fat without taking away from the meal’s satisfaction.
