It’s been awhile since I posted about local restaurants and had a patient in this morning who says she goes to Sonic fairly often so I thought I’d take a gander at their menu. Sonics are everywhere and are very convenient, but what can you eat there that are good choices? If you haven’t already done so, I highly recommend the book, “Eat This, Not That” which has some ideas for every restaurant you’ve ever heard of. But my personal version is as listed below:
No, NO, NOOOOOO!!!!
Some example foods that are absolute no-no’s at Sonic include: chicken strip dinner(930cal/43g fat), corn-dog (210cal/11g fat), fish sandwich (650cal/33g fat), large popcorn chicken (560cal/32g fat), string cheese (480cal/35gfat), cheeseburger with mayo (980cal/54g fat). DO NOT even think about fries, tater tots or anything frozen; there is simply nothing worthwhile on the dessert or side-order part of the menu. Note that some of the things listed above are considered “healthy” things like chicken and fish, but when battered, fried and put in a sandwich with creamy sauce or mayonaise they become toxic waste for a diet.
It should also be noted that I have not listed ALL of the things that are not good choices at Sonic, just some of the ones that came up during an informal poll in my office of what people had eaten recently. In fact, like at most fast food places, there aren’t a whole lot of really good diet choices on the Sonic menu.
Yes, YES!
None of these things really blow me away with their goodness, but are at least kind’ve acceptable: Jr. Burger (310cal/15g fat), Grilled chicken salad (310 cal/13g), Grilled Cheese Sandwich (325 calories). Breakfast choices are limited at best; most of the “bistro” and “toaster” sandwiches are well over 400 calories and 20g fat. A sandwich might be a little better with only cheese/egg (and minus the ham/bacon/sausage) but not by much. Remember too, that a large orange juice has 230 calories of almost pure sugar, a large chocolate latte has 270 calories of sugar and fat.
If salads are available, these are good choices but a package of ranch dressing has 260 calories and honey mustard has 240.
Just to put all of this in perspective, a meal – an ENTIRE meal – should be about 300-350 calories, have 15-30g protein and less than 20g of fat.
9. June 2009 at 4:56 pm
Thanks so much for this update. I have eaten at Sonic twice in past 2 months and both times I ordered the grilled cheese. Glad to know I made a good choice if there is one.
1. August 2010 at 10:03 pm
I have has jr. a breaksfast burrito off of the value menu,330 calories and 13g protein, unfortunately 21g fat. I know the fat conbtent is a little much, but it is the right size for me, and I usually only eat about half of the tortilla. Your thoughts?