With over 600 restaurants in 45 states, many conveniently located just off interstates, Cracker Barrel is a road trip staple. The menu features Southern-style comfort food like hash brown casserole, fried chicken and gravy, and country fried shrimp with hush puppies, making eating healthy a challenge, but possible.
Cracker Barrel has a meal to fit your dietary goals, whether you want breakfast for dinner or want to dine with the family without breaking the bank at a restaurant. Here are Cracker Barrel’s healthiest breakfast and lunch or dinner recommendations. Read on, then check out the nutritionist-picked 15 Healthiest Cracker Barrel Dishes.
The healthiest thing to order at Cracker Barrel is… an egg sandwich
Nutrition Facts (per egg sandwich with tomato slice):
calorie: 480
fat: 26 g (Saturated Fatty Acids: 5 g)
sodium: 400mg
carbohydrates: 45 g (dietary fiber: 4 g, carbohydrates: 8 g)
protein: 20 grams
All-day breakfast is a big deal for me, and Cracker Barrel has all my favorites: eggs, pancakes, French toast, etc. But some of these breakfast items can be over 1,000 calories.
If you want a healthier breakfast, Egg sandwichThis delicious breakfast includes two eggs with mayonnaise on toasted bread, sliced tomatoes, and one side dish. Unfortunately, many of the breakfast sides that come with egg sandwiches are high in fat, sodium, and calories, so to make this a more balanced meal, I added sliced tomatoes as a side dish. tomato They’re low in calories, high in fiber, and contain health-boosting nutrients like lycopene and vitamin C.
Fresh seasonal fruit is another healthy side dish for an egg sandwich, containing 70 calories, 18 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of fiber.
Breakfast is high in saturated fat, meeting more than 20% of the recommended daily intake. Excessive intake of saturated fats It may increase your risk of heart disease, but it does provide 4 grams of fiber, which meets 14 percent of your recommended daily intake. Eat more fiber It’s good for your heart, so it may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Another healthy option is the grilled chicken tenders and two sides.
Nutrition Facts (per serving of grilled chicken tenders, steamed broccoli and pinto beans):
calorie: 450
fat: 10 g (saturated fatty acid: 2.5 g)
sodium: 890mg
carbohydrates: 32 g (dietary fiber: 13 g, carbohydrates: 5 g)
protein: 62 grams
of Grilled Chicken Tenders Meal The healthiest option for lunch or dinner at Cracker Barrel is the one that comes with two side dishes. While the grilled chicken tenders themselves are low in calories (270) and fat (7 grams), adding a side dish turns an otherwise healthy protein into a meal loaded with fat, sodium, and calories.
Considering balance and nutrition, Steamed broccoli Serve with pinto beans on the side for extra fiber, vitamin C, potassium, iron, and other health-boosting nutrients. Pinto beans alone provide 7 grams of fiber, and they’re also a great source of plant-based protein, adding an extra 10 grams of protein. Eat more beans Beans like pinto beans may have positive effects on the gut and heart, and may support weight management and immune health.
This meal is high in sodium, meeting more than 30 percent of your recommended daily intake. Most of the sodium comes from the chicken (620 milligrams), but the beans also provide 260 milligrams.
Tips for ordering healthy food at Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel has an extensive menu that caters to a wide range of tastes. The restaurant also allows you to customize your meal with a long list of side dishes. Choices and customization give you more control over what you eat. Here are some tips for ordering healthier meals when dining at Cracker Barrel:
- Choose your side carefully: Cracker Barrel has something for everyone, but many of the side dishes, such as Loaded Hash Brown Casserole and Baked Sweet Potatoes, are high in calories and fat. Choose your side dishes carefully to keep your meal balanced. Fresh fruit, steamed broccoli, country green beans, sweet baby carrots, turnip greens, whole corn, pinto beans, and grits are good choices.
- Please order the sauce separately: Mayonnaise, syrups, gravies and dressings are used on many of Cracker Barrel’s dishes and add calories, fat, salt and sugar. Asking for sauces and dressings on the side allows you to control the amount you use.
- Make better beverage choices: Cracker Barrel’s menu features drinks like sweet tea, lemonade, and caramel lattes. Instead of adding calories and sugar to your meal, opt for better drinks like water, unsweetened tea, and black coffee.
- Check the nutrition facts label: Cracker Barrel is Nutritional information Menu items are available online, so be sure to review them before ordering to choose meals that fit your nutritional goals.
Jill Corleone, RD
Jill began her career in clinical practice specializing in pediatric nutrition. Read more about Jill