Can I Eat Healthy at Cheesecake Factory After Bariatric Surgery?

Note: Whether you’ve had bariatric surgery or not, you’ll likely visit a fast-food or fast-casual restaurant at some point. With our rushed and busy lives, fast food may cross our minds. Often, we can get something to hold us over without destroying the diet, but it’s important to choose right. Speak to your bariatric practice and dietician for guidance…do not rely on this guide alone.

When you hear “Cheesecake Factory”, you don’t often think “health”. This restaurant is known for their large menu, filled with high-calorie meals and—as the name suggests—a variety of cheesecake options, notoriously the highest fat dessert. In 2010, this restaurant chain was voted “worst family restaurant” by Men’s Health. The author of this article, Clint Carter, remarked on the restaurant’s busy menu and large portions, which personifies the stereotype of the standard American diet. Due in part to this bad publicity, Cheesecake Factory has worked in the last few years to revamp their menu with healthier options for people looking for a well-balanced meal. Below, we rank the healthiest menu options, so that your night out to this infamous restaurant chain won’t include a side of guilt and acid reflux!

Option 1: SkinnyLicious Asian Chicken Salad

As the name suggests, this salad is formulated for those looking to make a healthier choice. Though restaurant salads tend to be surprisingly high in calories and fat (looking at you, Chili’s Quesadilla Explosion Salad), this one is only 570 calories and has 43 grams of protein. As a bonus, it also has 11 grams of fiber, which is about one-third of the recommended daily intake! To make it even healthier, ask for dressing on the side and skip the fried wontons.

Option 2: Factory Chopped Salad

This is another “SkinnyLicious” menu option, and for good reason. Similar to the previous salad, this one is under 600 calories and high protein. It has a tasty and satisfying blend of flavors including blue cheese, bacon, and apple, making it a great option for fans of sweet&salty combos.
Note: Be sure to order the Skinny version of this salad; the regular chopped salad is closer to 800 calories.

Option 3: Filet Mignon

While steak isn’t always thought of as a low-fat meal, a filet is a much healthier meat option, and very high in protein. It comes with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. This meal is a bit higher in calories (860) and has 73 grams of protein. This meal could easily be split in half and saved for later, or shared with a friend to reduce the calories. Another option is choosing another side instead of mashed potatoes (these alone are 500 calories and 25 grams of fat!).

Option 4: Fresh Grilled Salmon

This one isn’t a surprise, since seafood is generally a healthy choice, especially when it isn’t fried. Salmon is high in healthy heart-healthy fats, making it a great protein choice (this meal has 50 grams of total protein). This main, similar to the filet, is high in calories (940) but mainly due to the mashed potatoes. Choosing another side—like another veggie—will reduce the calories to around 600, making it a great choice for someone trying to eat heathier.

Option 5: Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Though this one is an appetizer, it could easily be eaten as a main meal. This option is fairly light, with only 450 calories and 29 grams of protein. It’s a great choice for a well-balanced meal, or to split with a friend as an appetizer, since it doesn’t contain anything fried or any heavy sauces (just skip the high sodium dressings on the side!)

The Cheesecake Factory has a lot of options on its menu, but unfortunately, most of them are very high in fat and calories. This makes them very tasty but not very healthy, especially for anyone trying to watch their weight after bariatric surgery. Enjoying some of the “fun” menu options is fine occasionally, but in general try to choose a meal that has under 600 calories and at least 20 grams of protein. This will help ensure you’re choosing a meal that is satisfying yet won’t derail all of your hard work!