Healthy Dining Restaurant of Month: IHOP

By Pamela Ofstein
Director of Nutrition Services

We know you won’t always have time to prepare a proper lunch or cook up a healthy dinner, so we’re going to make eating right anywhere much easier. eDiets has teamed up with Healthy Dining Finder to bring you the best meals at your favorite restaurants each month.

If you think IHOP is not on your diet plan, think again. IHOP’s Simple & Fit menu – with options for breakfast, lunch and dinner any time of day – offers some of your favorite dishes with the taste you love and a lower calorie count! For breakfast, consider the Simple & Fit Omelette with Fresh Fruit (320 calories and serves up 2 cups of fruit) or Simple & Fit Two-Egg Breakfast with turkey bacon, whole wheat toast and fresh fruit (350 calories).

Of course, IHOP is not just breakfast any time of day. Try IHOP’s Simple & Fit Grilled Balsamic-Glazed Chicken or Grilled Tilapia meal, including vegetables and a side salad with reduced fat dressing (440-490 calories; 39-49 grams of protein for the whole meal). This is an easy way to get more than two and a half cups of vegetables in one sitting. And, this meal is a good source of protein and fiber!

Now for those of us (me included) who feel a little indulgent here and there, the Simple & Fit Whole Wheat French Toast Combo (whole wheat French toast with bananas and turkey bacon) will satisfy your sweet tooth without hindering your meal plan. Providing about 490 calories for the meal, feel free to split it (245 calories) and add some extra fresh fruit to your plate to keep the calories lower and add more fruit and fiber.

Next time you see an IHOP, you’ll know there are plenty of smart, everyday choices that await your taste buds!

To see the full menu of IHOP’s Healthy Dining fare, visit Healthy Dining Finder and pick your own favorite. Enjoy!

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