It's got almost a half a day's calories and enough sodium and fat to meet the requirements of two people. Most would be shocked to find out that it's a turkey sandwich! Surprise! It's a small (14-oz) Turkey Original from Schlotzsky's. It has 940 calories and 50 grams of fat. Who would have guessed that two slices of breads, a few slices or meat topped with lettuce and tomato would contain such a large amount of fat? We could order a Wendy's Big Bacon Classic burger and that would contain 360 fewer calories and is 19 grams lower in fat. Think a salad is a better choice? Wrong again. Order a grilled Chicken Cesar Salad at Boston Market and you get a whopping 45 grams of fat and 650 calories. A McDonald's Big Mac has less fat and calories than the salad. It has 39 grams of fat and 590 calories.

Shocked by these comparisons? Day in and day out we are constantly on the go. We stop to grab a quick bite to eat before heading back to the office or to out next meeting. Most people are unaware that the foods that they eat to try and maintain their physique are self-defeating. Most business travelers are constantly walking in mine fields when eating out. Yet, they don't realize it until their weight explodes and their waistline gets so big they can no longer see their shoes. So what is a businessperson to do when carrying food just isn't an option? Well, the Institute of Eating Management, a nutritional firm in Houston, Texas, has eating out for the executive athlete down to a science. IEM publishes a Dining Out Guide that contains a number of restaurants and low fat menus. These tips can help anyone manage their weight and stay healthy while dining out frequently.

One misconception of low fat food is that it must taste dry or bland. According to Keith Klein CN, the CEO of IEM, healthy food should taste great. "At the base of the brain there is a satiety center. When the right moistures, flavors and textures hit the palate, it sends a nervous impulse to the base of the brain and then you feel satisfied. Physically, an individual may feel full eating a plain chicken breast without butter or oil, bit mentally he or she may crave something sweet, salty or crunchy."
Here are some great tips used at the Institute of Eating Management to help the executive athlete stay fit while dining out:

Breakfast: Order and egg white or eggbeater omelet packed with vegetables (no butter or oil) and a bowl of oatmeal or 100% whole wheat toast with jam.

Chinese: Order steamed chicken, shrimp or scallops with steamed rice and Chinese vegetables. Use small amount of plum sauce, ginger or lite soy sauce.

Continental: Order a grilled fish without butter or oil. Top it with diced onions and tomatoes and have steamed broccoli on the side.

Italian: Order a grilled snapper or chicken breast; without butter, oil or sauce. Smother it in steamed spinach with garlic and top with tomato sauce and steamed asparagus.
Mexican: The best thing to order is the grilled chicken fajitas without butter or oil, in corn tortillas with onion, Pico de Gallo or salsa.

Note: The chips have a gram of fat apiece! Order baked chips or use corn tortillas to dip in the salsa.

Seafood: Order a low fat fish sprinkled with Cajun seasoning and grilled without butter, oil or fat. Have a plain baked potato topped with catsup and a side of steamed vegetables. For a low fat dressing try mixing balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard together with a packet of equal.
       
When dining out at a restaurant, be sure to ask specific questions as to how your meal is prepared. Make any changes necessary to alter the foods. Don't assume that the wait staff or the chef is knowledgeable of low fat foods. Remember to order all dressings and sauces on the side. Picture this, three tablespoons of butter, oil or cream sauce has about the same amount of at as a Whopper from Burger King. When ordering a steamed fish prepared with butter or oil, just imagine a Whopper sitting right on top of the fish.

According to Mr. Klein, " It doesn't matter how much money is in a retirement plan or how wealthy a person is, once you lose your health you would spend every dime you've ever made trying to get it back. So it's important to protect that asset now."