The Daily Balance

So you all know of the Cheesecake Factory, right? Probably not the BEST place to go if you are watching your waistline and have trouble saying ‘NO!’ At this place, you’ll need the emphasis and connotation those capital letters provide! Helllooooo brownie sundae cheesecake! (and no Mr. Carrot cake, I haven’t forgotten about our love affair either!). Anyway, I need to stop myself now before I get distracted (who, me?). My point is, you can really eat anywhere (yes, even the Cheesecake Factory) if you know what to order (and have built up resistance and will-power of steel).

My favorite healthy item from the Cheesecake Factory is actually located on their appetizer menu. Note – I have an EXTREMELY healthy appetite and even I have trouble finishing this monster. This should tell you just how insane their portions normally are.

My dish of choice – The Vegetable Chopped Salad

A Healthy Pick from The Cheesecake Factory

Vegetable Chopped Salad

The salad includes:

• Grilled Chicken
• Romaine lettuce
• Granny smith apples
• Beets
• Edamame
• Asparagus
• White Cheddar
• Cucumber
• Tomato

I sub the dressing for the restaurant’s low-cal vinaigrette, making this salad one of the healthiest choices on the menu. LOVE these ingredients together. My favorite bites include the white cheddar and apple — such a great flavor pairing!

What is your favorite salad mix-in? What’s you favorite flavor Cheesecake (ya, know for when there is cause to splurge and celebrate!)

13 Responses to “Daily Delish – a healthy pick from The Cheesecake Factory”

1. Run Sarah said:

   I often find I can only choose a salad these days as a vegetarian, and since there’s no protein source, they don’t fill me up! For a meal salad, my favourite mix in is beans or tofu. Otherwise, something fun like a fruit – strawberries and apples give salads a nice zing.

   I’ve never been to Cheesecake factory…but I think I would rather just order a cheescake…raspberry, to be precise!

   Posted on April 7, 2009 at 12:45 am | Reply
2. life coach jen said:

   Hmm, I love baked tofu in salad! Beans are good, too. And I’m always a fan of goat cheese. And sun dried tomatoes. This is a hard question!

   As far as favorite cheesecake flavor…I don’t have one near me and have only eaten there a few times, but I remember I went in the fall and had the pumpkin pie spice flavor or something and it was INCREDIBLE, and the next time I was there I actually got some divine chocolate cake instead of cheesecake and everyone at my table was jealous.

   Posted on April 7, 2009 at 1:32 am | Reply
   • thedailybalance said:

     life coach jen — LOVE goat cheese and sundried tomatos! Nice picks!

     Posted on April 8, 2009 at 9:56 am | Reply
3. healthy ashley said:

   I love the Cheesecake Factory! This salad sounds great. Maybe one day they’ll have vegetarian protein options instead of chicken!

   Posted on April 7, 2009 at 7:17 am | Reply
   • Dawn said:

     this salad has edamame. edamame=protein.

     Posted on September 25, 2010 at 12:18 pm | Reply
4. Kara said:

   I knew this would be a good post when I saw the title
   I’ve had that salad, it is super good!

   Posted on April 7, 2009 at 8:51 am | Reply
5. Betsy said:

   I’ve never been to the Cheesecake Factory (actually avoided it because I assumed everything was high cal), but this looks soo good, may be worth a trip!

   Posted on April 7, 2009 at 8:58 am | Reply
6. Sher said:

   My favorite cheesecake is anything with chocolate in it. Once I did try pumpkin and Loved it! Nice to know there is something on the Cheesecake Factory menu that is a low calorie alternative.

   Posted on April 7, 2009 at 10:04 am | Reply
7. Sagan said:

   Ooh that sounds like a fantastic salad! I love adding hummus to my salad. Mmm chickpeas. Also sno peas are a favorite.

   I ADORE cheesecake. Best kind of cake ever.

   Posted on April 7, 2009 at 10:46 am | Reply
8. Elina said:

   I wonder how this compares to their “weight management” salads. I hate that they don’t post nutritional info for all of their stuff.
   My favorite cheesecake: godiva chocolate. It’s pretty much the best cheesecake ever!!

   Posted on April 7, 2009 at 10:48 am | Reply
   • thedailybalance said:

     Elina I actually have a PDF with all the Cheesecake Factory nutritionals. let me know if you want me to email it to you! (or anyone else!)

     Posted on April 8, 2009 at 9:55 am | Reply
9. K said:

   I’ve never eaten an actual meal at The Cheesecake Factory but that salad sounds great!

   Fav salad ingredient: Lots of fruit!
   Fav cheesecake: Tiramisu

   Posted on April 7, 2009 at 1:31 pm | Reply
10. Andrea said:

    The salad sounds great!

    I love topping salads with a poached egg, especially salads with lots of vegetables. It’s just sooo good when the egg yolk runs all over and combines with the dressing…

    My favorite cheesecake flavor is pumpkin.

    Posted on April 7, 2009 at 10:40 pm | Reply