California Pizza Kitchen, aka CPK, has a wide variety of seemingly healthy choices on the menu. But, their nutrition information may shock many... Find out just how many calories you can expect. Learn more.
The nutritional information for CPK may be quite shocking.
If you're thinking of getting an appetizer, beware of the calorie count.
If you've got a craving for CPK you might have to make it a cheat meal.
What to Eat When Eating Out - California Pizza Kitchen
Your Guide to Achieving Your Fitness Goals on the Road
California Pizza Kitchen, aka CPK, is a large step above fast food without the long wait associated with fine dining. CPK has a wide variety of seemingly healthy choices on the menu. But, their nutrition information may shock many nutrition gurus out there. You can easily blow through a good portion of your calorie budget in just one meal!
Click To Enlarge. California Pizza Kitchen Is A Large Step Above Fast Food Without The Long Wait Associated With Fine Dining.
Navigating CPK
When it comes to looking at CPK's nutrition info, calories are all we have to go by. They don't publish the fat, carbohydrates, sugar and protein in each meal. But, there's a lot you can determine just from looking at the calorie counts on each appetizer, meal and dessert.
Preparing A Powerhouse Nutrition Pizza: Appetizing & Healthy!
If you ask many people what their favorite food is - or what they typically choose to eat on their 'cheat day', they answer quickly with the word, pizza. Get the most out of your cheat day with these tips on making the ultimate healthy pizza.
The appetizers at CPK count as a full meal unless of course you share them with several people. Without knowing the nutrition breakdown of some of these appetizers, the chicken lettuce wraps seem like a great choice right?
Chicken and vegetables served in a lettuce leaf. But, at 912 calories the tasty soy-ginger sauce or side of spicy chili-ginger sauce must contain quite a bit of sugar.
If 912 calories seems high, take a peak at the Sonora Egg Rolls which tally 1050 calories and the Avocado Club Spring Rolls which serve up a whooping 1180 calories!
California Pizza Kitchen
Haven't been there in a while but I love it. I've only ordered 3 things there before. Shrimp Scampi Pizza, Mango Tandoori Chicken Pizza, Thai Curry Pasta or whatever it's called. What do you guys eat? Thinking about going there soon?
Skip these choices, split the lettuce wraps and ditch the side of spicy chili-ginger sauce or, choose a spring roll (just over 300 calories each).
Soups, Salads And Main Courses
Asparagus soup and Dakota Smashed Pea & Barley soup are the best soup choices (not high in protein but very filling and full of vegetables). All of the salads are the cleanest options on CPK's menu (no surprise there). Just skip the tortilla chips, candied walnuts, crispy wontons and garlic-herb croutons and get oil & vinegar dressing on the side (or no dressing).
What are your other options at CPK? Skip the main entrees, choose thin crust pizza if you have a craving (less than 200 calories per slice) and under Specialties, opt for Ginger Salmon minus the sweet ginger sauce and with the wok-stirred mixed vegetables. Or, chose the pan-sauteed mahi mahi with wok-stirred mixed vegetables.
A Look Up Close: CPK
Item
Calories
Modifications
Baja Chicken Spring Roll
326 Each
None.
Asparagus Soup (cup)
106
None.
Dakota Smashed Pea & Barley Soup (cup)
184
None.
Moroccan Chicken Salad (half)
421
Skip the dried cranberries and dates and get the dressing on the side.
Miso Salad (half)
618
Skip the crispy rice noodles and wonton noodles and get the Miso dressing on the side.
Chinese Chicken Salad (half)
503
Skip the crispy wonton noodles and get a different dressing on the side.
Original Chopped Salad (half)
446
Skip the salami and get the dressing on the side.
Ginger Salmon
979
Skip the sweet ginger sauce.
Pan-Sauteed Mahi Mahi With Wok-Stirred Mixed Vegetables (1/2 Serving)
560
None.
If you forget anything on this list, remember this - go for salads without the wontons, buttery croutons etc. and always opt for an oil-based dressing on the side.
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Do You Like Eating At California Pizza Kitchen?
Anything with a sauce will typically add teaspoons of sugar to your meal. So, be careful with dishes that are disguised as all veggie and protein, such as lettuce wraps. If you are watching your carbs but craving pizza, eat a salad first and then choose the thin crust pizza.
Conclusion
There aren't many clean options at CPK so if you have a hankering and want something not on this list, save it for a cheat day and split the portion so you aren't doing too much damage.
Marie Spano is a leading authority on translating the latest nutrition and exercise science research into real life applications. Ms. Spano has also helped professional and Olympic athletes and Fortune 500 executives enhance their health and performance through sound nutrition practices. She is a regular contributor to Bodybuilding.com. For more information see: www.mariespano.com.
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