A few weeks ago in my Buffalo Meat is No Bull blog I mentioned having had a delicious Buffalo burger at a Ted's Montana Grill restaurant. I thought it would be good to look at this unique restaurant chain named for the renowned media entrepreneur and environmentalist in our ongoing Diet Friendly Dining series. The chain started in 2002 with one restaurant in Columbus, Ohio and has now grown to over 50 restaurants throughout 19 states.

In addition to a great tasting and nutrition conscience menu, Ted's Montana Grill also boasts a deep commitment to the environment. One of their environmentally focused goals is to be 99% plastic free and they re-introduced the paper straw that has not been used in the United States since 1970 to help them work toward goal achievement. If you want a to-go cup or food to go, those come in Bio-Plus Earth Containers and cornstarch based cups that bio-degrade quickly. Reuse is also a part of their environmental plan as well since menus are printed on recycled paper. They also look at non-food related ways to be sustainable by using water-efficient toilets and solar panels for energy and water conservation where possible as well as making all of their restaurants smoke free. At the same time, you find authentic early 20th century craftsmen-style architecture and natural materials used for a classic look and feel and a relaxing dining experience. With all this attention to so many details, is there any food that meets our criteria?

Our ongoing goal is to highlight entrée items around 250 calories and 10 grams of fat per serving or less when possible. Some meal plans can easily allow for a higher calorie or fat intake but typically most require a total meal that is less than 500 calories and 20 grams of fat.

Here are some of the better choices when visiting a Ted's Montana Grill.

Appetizers

Ted's Shrimp Cocktail

Calories – 170

Fat – 1 gram

Sodium – 1,395 mg

Carbohydrate – 17 grams

Fiber – 0 grams

Protein – 23 grams



Choices to Avoid - It is best to pass on the pre-meal, meals in the form of Sliders, whether bison or beef, which start you out with over 1000 calories and 55 grams of total fat. Of course, the fried Onion Rings and Chili Cheese Fries are over 1000 calories and 70 plus grams of total fat and are not consistent with a healthy eating meal plan.



Salads and Salad Dressings

Wedge Salad – no dressing

Calories – 100

Fat – 6 grams

Sodium – 342 mg

Carbohydrates – 5 grams

Fiber – 2 grams

Protein – 7 grams



Tomato and Onion Salad – includes dressing

Calories – 170

Fat – 9 grams

Sodium – 91 mg

Carbohydrates – 21 grams

Fiber – 5 grams

Protein – 4 grams



House Salad – no dressing

Calories – 140

Fat – 9 grams

Sodium – 128 mg

Carbohydrate – 13 grams

Fiber – 3 grams

Protein – 3 grams



BLT Ranch Dressing – 1 oz serving

Calories – 100

Fat – 10 grams

Sodium – 130 mg

Carbohydrates – 1 gram

Fiber – 0 grams

Protein – 1 gram



Bleu Cheese Dressing – 1 oz serving

Calories – 100

Fat – 10 grams

Sodium – 151 mg

Carbohydrates – 1 gram

Fiber – 0 grams

Protein – 2 grams



Choices to Avoid - Be sure to skip the Shrimp, Grilled Chicken and Cedar Plank Salmon Caesar Salads. While each of these protein choices are healthy when they are served alone, when added to a salad of this nature, you get a total calorie contribution of over 1,200, a sodium intake as high as 4,500 mg and a total fat intake of over 100 total grams with nearly 40 grams of saturated fat.



Soups

Chicken Noodle Soup – Bowl

Calories – 170

Fat – 3 grams

Sodium – 667 mg

Carbohydrates – 24 grams

Fiber – 2 grams

Protein – 10 grams



Garnished Tortilla Soup – cup

Calories – 160

Fat – 8 grams

Sodium – 843 mg

Carbohydrates – 12 grams

Fiber – 1 gram

Protein – 10 grams



Red Beans & Rice Soup – cup

Calories – 230

Fat – 5 grams

Sodium – 834 mg

Carbohydrates – 32 grams

Fiber – 2 grams

Protein – 14 grams



Choices to Avoid - While baked potatoes can be a healthy choice, when they come in a cream based soup they are best to pass by since they can provide a bowl of soup with over 32 grams of fat and 450 calories. Bison Chili provides a high protein option but also 21 grams of fat and over 350 calories per bowl. As a meal, it is an acceptable option but a cup as a meal starter, not so much.



Best Sandwiches Choices

8 oz Bison Burger on a plain Oatie Wheat Bun

Calories – 550

Fat – 26 grams

Sodium – 1,956 mg

Carbohydrates – 36 grams

Fiber – 1 gram

Protein – 44 grams



Veggie Burger on a plain Oatie Wheat Bun

Calories – 390

Fat – 13 grams

Sodium – 1,139 mg

Carbohydrates – 46 grams

Fiber – 9 grams

Protein – 34 grams



7 oz Brick Chicken on a plain Kaiser Roll

Calories – 550

Fat – 22 grams

Sodium – 928 mg

Carbohydrates – 36 grams

Fiber – 2 grams

Protein – 47 grams



Choices to Avoid - While plain may not sound interesting, remember that a good tasting piece of meat can be very flavorful and does not need to be covered up by other sauces and toppings. This is especially true when topping combinations such as the Kitchen Sink, America's Cup, George's Cadillac, or the Montana can add an additional 300 or more calories and more than 15 grams of additional fat.



Best Entrée Choices

BBQ Bison Short Ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Country-style Green Beans (a low sodium choice)

Calories – 780 (half meal – 390)

Fat – 48 grams (half meal – 24 grams)

Sodium – 457 mg (half meal – 228 mg)

Carbohydrates – 35 grams (half meal – 17.5 grams)

Fiber – 6 grams (half meal – 3 grams)

Protein – 51 grams (half meal – 25.5 grams)



Bison Pot Roast Meal with Mashed Potatoes and gravy and Country-style Green Beans (a lower sodium choice)

Calories – 840 (half order – 420)

Fat – 48 grams (half order – 24 grams)

Sodium – 822 mg (half order – 411 mg)

Carbohydrate – 51 grams (half order - 25.5 grams)

Fiber – 6 grams (half order 3 grams)

Protein – 42 grams (half order 21 grams)



Slow Roasted Pork Meal with Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and Buttered Carrots (a lower calorie and lower sodium choice)

Calories – 730 (half order – 365)

Fat – 42 grams (half order – 21 grams)

Sodium – 814 mg (half order – 407 mg)

Carbohydrates – 35 grams (half order – 17.5 grams)

Fiber – 5 grams (half order – 2.5 grams)

Protein – 49 grams (half order – 24.5 grams)



11 oz Kansas City Bison Strip Steak without lemon butter with Aunt Fannie's Squash Casserole and Roasted Asparagus (lower calorie and lower fat choice)

Calories – 450 (half meal - 225)

Fat – 18 grams (half meal - 9 grams)

Sodium – 2995 mg (half meal - 1,498 mg)

Carbohydrates – 13 grams (half meal – 6.5 grams)

Fiber – 4 grams (half meal – 2 grams)

Protein – 46 grams (half meal – 23 grams)



8 oz Bison Tenderloin Filet without lemon butter and Plain Sweet Potato and Buttered Broccoli (lower calorie and lower fat choice)

Calories – 410 (half meal – 205)

Fat – 5 grams (half meal – 2.5 grams)

Sodium – 2,792 mg (half meal – 1,396 mg)

Carbohydrates – 45 grams (half meal – 22.5 grams)

Fiber – 10 grams (half meal – 5 grams)

Protein – 48 grams (half meal – 24 grams)



Choices to Avoid - There are many dinners that sound delicious but require your caution and restraint in selection when maintaining a healthy meal intake is in order. The Pecan Crusted Trout meal may only be moderate in its sodium content compared to other choices with only slightly over 2,000 mg for the meal however, with 1,650 calories you will likely double your recommended daily intake with this choice for lunch or dinner.



Some helpful things to remember - This is a casual-dining restaurant that you should not be afraid to ask for meals that are the way you want and need them. Ask for steamed carrots, broccoli or asparagus instead of the buttered option listed on the menu. Be sure to ask for things "naked" or "plain" and to avoid all the fixings and options and you will be able to find several options to meet your various taste buds and meal preferences.



Is this a restaurant that you would be interested in giving a try?