Dining Smart At...Carl's Jr

If you're driving down the road and you see that oh so familiar smiling golden star approaching in sight, and you sense that grumbling in you're stomach, you are probably destined for a stop. Carl's Jr., and it's brother, Hardee's, for your east-coasters, is the fourth largest hamburger chain. Being that that determined little star is doing everything within his power to upset those rivaling chains, you'd have to be under a rock to miss all the advertisements boasting its new whopping burgers, hulking fries, and creamy shakes. With that star pulling out all the tricks in the kitchen, concocting burgers of ginormous proportions and filled with stacks of beef, condiments galore, and who knows what else, how can you expect to dine out safely without packing on the pounds?

Thankfully, there are a few options that can keep you on track with your diet and not leave you feeling completely deprived. The bad news is that unlike some of its competitors, Carl's Jr. has yet to roll out a 'healthier' menu, so your choices are a bit more limited than at other places. But, a good rule of thumb to stick to when dining at this joint is that if you can't fit your mouth around the burger to bite it, steer clear!

As far as hamburgers go, you're safest options come from the kiddie menu; so pick out a booster chair to go along with your Kid's Hamburger with 230 calories, and 10 grams of fat. The Kid's Cheeseburger clocks in with 290 calories and still has 15 grams of fat. The only other hamburger under 500 calories is the Big Hamburger with 460 calories and 17 grams of fat. Surprisingly, the chicken sandwiches are actually higher that either the kiddie burgers, but the best bet it the Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich with 380 calories and just 7 grams of fat.

Surprisingly, the 4 piece Chicken Stars ring in at only 210 calories, but have 16 grams of fat, so you can indulge the child inside if need be. The best salad option is the Charbroiled Chicken Salad with 250 calories and 9 grams of fat without the dressing. Order the Low Fat Balsamic Dressing and just add 35 calories. Avoid the Green Burrito Taco Salad at all costs, as it plunks down 970 calories and 58 grams of fat even without any dressing!

Sadly, these really are the only relatively healthy options on the menu. If you must cave into your craving for fries, stick to Kid's Size Natural-Cut Fries, and just keep in mind they have 220 calories and 11 grams of fat. The only other side option comes in the way of the Side Salad, with only 50 calories, add the Low Fat dressing and that will only bring your total to 85 calories!

Do not be temped by those Six Dollar Burgers, as they will set you back 1,040 calories and an appalling 70 grams of fat! Surely, while the star is cute and looks rather friendly, he has much to learn in the ways of healthy eating. Perhaps this chain would do well to offer up some more options for the diet-conscious, and would have better success upsetting it's golden-arched rival.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl%27s_Jr.
http://www.carlsjr.com/content/downloads/CKE-7169_7169-NP-CJ_no-mech.pdf