Restaurant roulette: How many calories in chicken tikka masala or pad thai? (2024)

Calorie counts have otherwise been mandatory at chains in California, New York City, and some other jurisdictions for several years. So while the calories in a Starbucks scone, a McDonald’s burger, or a Subway sandwich might be less of a mystery than they used to be, most Americans haven’t a clue about the calories in entrées at Indian, Japanese, Thai, or other ethnic, non-chain restaurants.

Susan B. Roberts, director of the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University analyzed main dishes ranging from Moussaka to Vegetable Tempura to Chicken Pad Thai from independent and small-chain Boston restaurants. And her findings, first published inJAMA Internal Medicine, are featured in the centerfold articlein the January/February issue ofNutrition Action. The average entrée (with sides like rice or bread) had roughly 1,300 calories.

At Greek restaurants, the researchers found that a Greek salad has 960 calories and Moussaka had 1,440 calories. At Indian restaurants, Lamb Vindaloo had 1,170 calories and Chicken Tikka Masala had 1,430 calories. At Vietnamese restaurants, Beef Pho had 940 calories and Lemongrass Chicken had 1,270 calories. At Thai restaurants, Drunken Noodles with Chicken had 1,120 calories and Chicken Pad Thai had 1,480 calories. At Italian restaurants, Fettuccine Alfredo, which in 1994 the Center for Science in the Public Interest famously called a “heart attack on a plate,” had 2,270 calories.

Subsequent research by Roberts and colleagues, published in theJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, included meals from Little Rock and San Francisco. That paper found that the meals’ calories “are far in excess of human energy requirements, and are similar to amounts provided by the fast-food and large-chain restaurants that have previously been associated with promoting obesity.”

Nutrition Actionis published by CSPI.

Restaurant roulette: How many calories in chicken tikka masala or pad thai? (2024)

FAQs

How many calories are in chicken tikka masala at restaurants? ›

It's one of the most-ordered entrees at Indian joints. But like many Indian dishes that were originally low fat, the modern recipe for chicken tikka masala is anything but. An average portion has whopping 1,249 calories and 90.8 grams of fat. A lot of that comes from the ghee and heavy cream.

How many calories are in restaurant style pad thai? ›

This dish is a menu staple of Thai restaurants. It's made from rice noodles sauteed with spices, peanuts, egg, and bean sprouts. Get it with shrimp, chicken, or tofu for lean protein, and extra veggies for fiber and vitamins. Just watch your portion: Pad thai clocks in at 300 to 400 calories a cup.

How many calories are in chicken pad thai takeout? ›

Pad Thai With Chicken (1 cup) contains 38.7g total carbs, 36.7g net carbs, 15.7g fat, 17g protein, and 360 calories.

How many calories is a plate of chicken pad thai? ›

1 serving (small) of pad thai with chicken breast (Noodles & Company) contains 520 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 4% carbs, 44% fat, and 53% protein. This is a good source of protein (54% of your Daily Value).

Can I eat chicken tikka masala on diet? ›

Chicken tikka masala is recommended for anyone looking to lose weight, reduce body fat levels but maintain or increase lean mass. It is advised to consume chicken tikka masala throughout the day to increase daily protein intake or before/after a workout as a source of protein.

What is the healthiest Indian food to order? ›

Incorporate Vegetarian

Vegetarian options are often lower in calories and saturated fats while providing ample protein and fiber. Consider trying dishes like Palak Paneer (spinach and cottage cheese), Baingan Bharta (roasted eggplant), or Daal (lentil curry) for a satisfying and healthful dining experience.

Is pad thai OK for weight loss? ›

Stir Fried Noodle and rice dishes: Most stir-fried noodle and rice dishes contain oil and simple carbohydrates which are bad for weight loss. And sorry for Pad Thai lovers, you have to cross it out from your favorite Thai food while trying to manage your weight loss diet.

What has more calories, pad thai or fried rice? ›

Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles (pan-fried rice noodles) and Pad Woon Sen (pan-fried glass noodles): A serving can top 700 calories, with the carb-equivalent of at least seven slices of bread. Kao Pad (fried rice): easily over 500 calories per order – and it's pretty much all fat and white carbs.

Is restaurant pad thai unhealthy? ›

It can definitely be a part of a balanced, well-rounded diet. While pad thai includes many nutritious ingredients, its sodium content is considerably high. You can reduce its sodium by requesting the eatery go easy on the sauce and salt-contributing condiments.

How many calories are in pad thai without meat? ›

But Vegetarian Pad Thai scores high for health-conscious people as it has only 300-350 calories, 10 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein.

Does pad thai have a lot of carbs? ›

Pad Thai and other noodle dishes are high on carbs and a lot of sugar is usually added too, not to mention oil. Fried rice is a no-no as is sticky rice which is possibly worse than white steamed rice for those with T2DM.

How many calories in a large bowl of pad thai? ›

Calories: A typical serving of Pad Thai contains around 500-600 calories. Protein: It provides a moderate amount of protein, weighing 15-20 grams per serving. Fat: Pad Thai can be high in fat, mainly from the oil used for cooking and adding peanuts. A serving can contain around 15-20 grams of fat.

Are drunken noodles or pad thai healthier? ›

Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles both have a moderate calorie count, making them a good choice at a restaurant. On top of that, they're packed with veggies and protein. Pad Thai has roughly 357 calories in one cup. Drunk Noodles contain about 323 calories per cup.

Is pad thai or pad see ew healthier? ›

While both these recipes are carb happy, Pad See Ew has fewer calories than Pad Thai. As it's also the less sweet of the two, Pad See Ew is considered slightly healthier.

How many calories in a piece of chicken tikka masala? ›

An average serving of Chicken Tikka (around 250 grams) contains 312 calories. Although this number might look big, if prepared right, Chicken Tikka is actually healthy, since it is marinated with curd and spices and baked using skewers, it has the least oil usage, and roasted chicken is always beneficial.

Is tikka masala sauce high in calories? ›

3 ⅞ oz of tikka masala sauce (Foods Pacific Ltd.) contains 120 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 24% carbs, 69% fat, and 7% protein. This has a relatively low calorie density, with 109 Calories per 100g.

How much is a serving of chicken tikka masala? ›

Chicken Tikka Masala
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 4 oz chicken and 1/2 cup sauce
Calories 251Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7g11%
1 more row

How many calories in chicken tikka masala with rice and naan? ›

Carbs in Nomad Cuisine Chicken Tikka Masala With Saffron Rice And Garlic Naan. Nomad Cuisine Chicken Tikka Masala With Saffron Rice And Garlic Naan (1 serving) contains 81g total carbs, 78g net carbs, 13g fat, 25g protein, and 550 calories.

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