Every Tuesday, KidGlue presents “Healthy Pick/Makes Me Sick” where Sarah Matheny takes a popular restaurant’s menu and uncovers the most healthy and least healthy items on the menu. This week: International House of Pancakes.
Perhaps you’re traveling with your family this week and the IHOP is a familiar stop to grab a sit-down breakfast. In the land of “Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity,” rivers of syrup, and generous pats of butter, is there truly a healthy option? I was surprised and delighted to find that things aren’t as bad as they may seem.
Makes Me Sick: T-Bone Steak and Eggs
Whoever thought that a big slab of beef and two chicken eggs fried in butter was a good way to start the day? This monstrosity has 1,325 calories and 85 grams of fat. That’s more fat than a grown man needs in an entire day. Following this bad boy with a long car ride or a plane trip only spells trouble.
Healthy Pick: Country Griddle Cakes, no butter
I wouldn’t dream of depriving you of a SMALL drizzle of real maple syrup, but if you skip the butter (which one serving of has 80 calories and 9 grams of fat), two pancakes have only 240 calories. This means you can put some syrup on the side for dipping and still clock in at under 300 calories. I think skipping the side of bacon goes without saying.
