While reading the Sunday paper this morning I came across an ad for Wendy’s new flatbread sandwiches. There was a big picture bursting with grilled chicken and pretty leafy greens and a quote about Wendy’s “commitment to fresh ingredients.” My first thought was great, Wendy’s is offering more healthy choices for health conscious consumers in a hurry. But alas, I pulled up the nutrition information and quickly realized that looks can be deceiving. This is what I found…

Asiago Ranch Flatbread Grilled Chicken sandwich
Calories – 530 (from Fat – 270) – YIKES!
Fat – 30g (Saturated Fat – 8g) – YIKES!!!
Sodium – 940mg – YIKES!
Carbs – 35g (Sugar – 7g)
Protein – 30g

Smoky Honey Mustard Flatbread Grilled Chicken sandwich
Calories – 370 (from Fat – 135)
Fat – 15g (Saturated Fat – 2g) – YIKES!
Sodium – 550mg
Carbs – 38g (Sugar – 8g)
Protein – 22g

The Asiago Ranch Flatbread packs in nearly half of the recommended total fat, saturated fat, and sodium for an entire day! Unfortunately these sandwiches are the perfect example of how something on a menu can sound like a good healthy option, but when you look a little closer you get a not so pleasant surprise.

Wendy’s does have some healthier choices to offer. Some of their salads would be great choices – although I would steer clear of the full size Baja Chili Salad or the BLT Cobb Salad. They do offer half-size salads and their Apple Pecan Chicken Salad sounds pretty good. You can check out some of their other menu items’ nutrition information at Wendy’s Nutrition Information

Next time you are headed out to eat, take a minute to look up the menu before you go. Taking that time to make an educated order could save you a boat load of calories and half a day’s fat and sodium or more.